My sons, Donald, David, and Daniel were born on June 21, 1978. They’re perhaps the largest triplets born in the U.S. (a total of 22 lbs., 22 oz., or 23 lbs., 6 oz)—larger than the current record holders in the Guinness Book of Records. Their grandfather, Loyal Parkin, their father, Don, and three of his siblings died from PKD. Numerous nephews and nieces have been afflicted, several receiving kidney transplants.
In their early 40s, Donny, Dave, and Dan were all diagnosed with the disease. Donny has been on dialysis for the past year and is now qualified for a transplant. Sadly, Dave and Dan were recently killed in a traffic accident on their way back from medical testing in Denver. While this isn’t an inspirational, happy-ending story by any means, it’s an example of the devastating effects of PKD on one family and another reason financial and medical donations are so important.