PKD Foundation of Canada Launches New Chapter in Healthcare Hub

(prHWY.com) June 25, 2011 - Hamilton, Canada -- "PKD", a common, often fatal, yet generally unfamiliar chronic kidney disease, is becoming a less frightening diagnosis with continued study and growing public awareness.

Polycystic kidney disease (PKD) is a genetic disorder characterized by the development of numerous cysts in the kidneys. Some 50% of people with the most common type of PKD progress to kidney failure (end-stage renal disease). PKD can cause liver cysts and problems in other organs also. Currently, there is no cure for PKD.

Offering support and education to PKD patients, their friends and families in the Hamilton/Guelph area, The PKD Foundation of Canada (PKDFOC) is pleased to introduce its brand new Hamilton Chapter on July 16.

At the inaugural meeting, Dr. Alistair Ingram M.D., FRCP(C), an esteemed Nephrology researcher, will give a talk. It is open to the public and free of charge.

"New therapies, both simple and complex, designed to slow or even stop cyst growth, are now being tested. We will review what these are, why they were chosen, and how they are doing so far."

Dr. Ingram is currently the Director of the Division of Nephrology at McMaster University, a 14 member Division that provides care for 650 chronic dialysis patients, performs 100 transplants per year and follows 1000 transplanted patients. He started practice at McMaster in 1996 and became a full Professor of Medicine in 2009.

Executive Director, Jeff Robertson, will attend and speak about the grass-roots origins and important mission of the PKDFOC. Shiona Mackenzie-Morrison, Hamilton Chapter Coordinator, and Carrie Manson, Coordinator of the Hamilton Chapter's first annual PKD Walk -- this September in Guelph -- also will be there.

This is the first of a series of support/education meetings, to take place from 2pm to 4pm every other month (July, Sept., Nov., etc.) in the Fellowship Hall of the First Unitarian Church of Hamilton, 170 Dundurn Street South. The venue is wheelchair accessible and free parking is available on the premises.

The PKD Foundation of Canada began in Oakville, Ontario in 1993. Mission: Promote programs of research, advocacy, education, support and awareness in order to discover treatments and a cure for Polycystic Kidney Disease and improve the lives of all it affects.

Since its first $30,000 research grant awarded in 1999, the PKD Foundation of Canada has granted a total of $162,000 in 10 years and has budgeted grants for 2010 / 2011 of $65,000. The PKD Foundation Chapters and the volunteers who lead them, are the backbone of the PKD community.

Canadian charitable registration # 852683853RR0001.

###