The foundation provided Greg with a bike rack for his car.

Throughout life I’ve taken part in sporting activities: football & track in high school, exercise and golfing as an adult. I enjoyed taking part in my children’s active lives as well, whether transporting my daughter between dance and music; or getting a chance to see one of my sons’ soccer games. In fact during my “younger” days I often found triathlons as a sport that intrigued me as something I’d like to try.

Then in 2005 I was the Captain of an airliner traveling to ports of call throughout the world; that was until PKD destroyed my kidneys. I now have a new career, one that has the potential to affect many in my family, and community. My new focus is to live, to face this kidney failure head on. We only have a short time here on Earth; I plan on making the most of that time in a positive manner.

Kidney failure may have taken me from the cockpit, but dialysis has given me the opportunity to stay alive. I’m fortunate to have a wonderful, loving, supportive family, along with a team of health care professionals that give me the inspiration and acceptable health to participate in that sport I was interested in. By becoming involved with triathlons, I hope to accomplish a number of things. One, the ability to take control of my health, and the ability to feel good during the dialysis process, rather than lying down letting it control me. Two, I hope that I can reach the spirit of kidney patients, or disabled persons, to inspire them to not give up. There is so much to our lives in the here and now, it’s important to take each day and make the most of it. Whether it’s a spouse, children, or someone special, everyone has someone who would miss them in their passing, I encourage all my co-patients to remember this for inspiration. And three, I hope to share awareness with others, expose them with the trials and tests that kidney failure patients face, and champion the living organ donation cause.

Exercise, and training for triathlons has been a great way of accomplishing these goals. While training I find myself not bored with just one activity, mixing up the swim, bike and run keeps each day fresh. Working on the three events also helps keep both my heart and mind healthy, I’m encouraged by the positive results I see in lab results, and body condition. The chance to be associated with the Shad Ireland team is an exciting next step in the development of my goals, and a great way to expand the hopes of others who live each day with kidney failure. I hope that the relationship we form could inspire many throughout the country to never give up, to live each day to the fullest, and to take their illness in stride.

I hope to continue to live, and I hope that someday with a successful transplant I can return to the cockpit of my companies jet airliners. To that end I’ll race as long as I can, holding to my motto “tri for life/tri for flight.

Michael H recived a Gym Membership from the foundation.

My name is Michael H. I am 43 years old. I am married to a wonderful wife and I have three small beautiful children, ages 3, 6 and 7. I have been diagnosed with kidney disease and am currently on hemodialysis. I am on a waiting list for a kidney transplant in Florida and Massachussetts. I am an attorney . I started my own solo practice approximately 4 years ago and am working hard full time to keep it afloat with all that is going on. I saw your website and was very intrigued because even though I know that exercise would be of great benefit to my condition, I have found it very hard financially and time wise to make it part of my life. When I was younger, I used to work out and run avidly. I feel that if I could find someone to help me train and get on a routine, I would be in better shape when I get transplanted. It would also help me through the treatments. I am not going to let this disease beat me.

Thank you very much for your consideration.

Micheal received a recumbent bike from the foundation.

I got married in February, 2006 to my loving wife. I got sick in late April, 2006 when I was diagnosed with acute renal failure. I was seeing the kidney specialists at least twice a month, trying to keep my numbers stable. We decided to move to Florida to start a new life where I was accepted in to a nursing program and my wife got a job at the hospital. I became a certified nursing assistant awaiting the start of the program. Shortly after starting to work as a nursing assistant I became extremely sick, I was vomiting continuously, I was gaining weight and not really eating, I was always tired and did not want to get out of bed. I went to a specialist down there who explained to me that I was uremic. I was retaining water weight and broke out into a serious rash. He explained to me that I had to go onto dialysis. I was so depressed and upset. I started out on the machine for 3 hours and have been increased since April of this year to 5 hours. I still feel sick and fatigued but there are days I feel like my old self and those are the days I do whatever it is that I can do. I am hoping to get a transplant and beat this damn dialysis and start feeling like my old self again. I have to beat this sickness and depression, I hate not feeling myself.

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Mary received a gym membership from the foundation.

I am not your typical CKF story. I went nights for twenty years to get my MBA. I was so excited about my new job, as the manager of financial operations in China, and I am a woman! (The glass ceiling was especially thick). I loved my work, the people, the sights and the culture for almost two years. I was getting out of a cab and twisted an ankle hit my leg on a bike fender which caused an eight inch blood clot. With in a month, black gang green set in. I was evacuated to Hong Kong where doctors used to much IVP dye which resulted in kidney failure, I begun hemodialysis 14 months ago. Well the “pity-party” is over! I am waiting for a transplant. I need to get healthy again. The “pity-party” cost me 40lbs! With the help of my dietitian, I am on a new eating regiment and sticking to it. I need your help to reach my goal of a healthier, stronger transplant candidate.