Each year Sigma Phi Epsilon continues to advance the cause of improving clinical treatment and discovering a cure for Polycystic Kidney Disease (PKD). Through our Gallop for PKD Charity event held each April, we are proud to help make a difference.

Let me share with you the story of Aynsley Kenworthy, a fellow student at Randolph-Macon and a friend of the Brothers of SigEp. Aynsley is one of the millions of Americans, including her sister and father, with Polycystic Kidney Disease. PKD is a dominant genetic disease that causes cysts to grow on the kidneys, eventually leading to kidney failure. Since the age of 11, Aynsley has been physically subject to an intense amount of medical research in an effort to provide advancements in PKD research. At the age of 21, she struggles daily with severe pain and the numerous other effects of PKD. Being a female, one of the most distressing effects of PKD is the strong likelihood of not being able to have her own children or passing on PKD to her children. In addition, to the daily stresses of a college student, Aynsley deals with the fear of knowing that she will soon need a kidney transplant.

The Polycystic Kidney Disease of Virginia Foundation (PKDVA.org) was started by Kathleen Kenworthy, the mother of Aynsley, several years ago. The goal of the foundation is to raise money to sponsor PKD research, in the state of Virginia and raise awareness of PKD. There is currently no research being done in the state of Virginia, or any surrounding states, despite the tens of thousands of Virginians suffering with PKD. PKDVA has the support of a major university medical research center and is currently working to raise money to begin research. Fortunately, the Brothers of SigEp have started raising money to help Aynsley's cause. PKD is the most common genetic disorder that is potentially life threatening. It affects 1 in 400 to 1,000 newborn babies. More people have PKD than the combined number of people with cystic fibrosis, muscular dystrophy, multiple sclerosis, hemophilia, Huntington's disease and Sickle cell anemia. Each and every person affected by PKD has reason to hope because every life is as important as the next. However, continued research is essential to find a cure. Today, you can make an immediate difference in the life of a PKD patient.

By donating to the Gallop for PKD sponsored by Sigma Phi Epsilon, you are further enabling the finding of a cure to this debilitating disease. I hope we can count on you to help. Please send the most generous gift you can, as soon as possible by clicking here and filling out our donor packet or by supplying us with a list of contacts to help our cause.