KANSAS CITY, Mo., Sept. 10 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- More than 12.5 million children and adults, worldwide, are waiting for a treatment and cure for polycystic kidney disease (PKD), a genetic disorder often causing kidney failure and death. Unfortunately, critical PKD research may be put on hold if fundraising efforts continue to fall short for the Walk for PKD, the PKD Foundation's signature fundraising event.

The Walk for PKD, held each fall in cities across the United States typically raises up to $3 million annually. Much of that money goes straight into research. But all that could change if participation and fundraising don't increase in the next few weeks. The first Walk for PKD events in cities like Boston, Milwaukee, Washington, D.C., San Francisco, Minneapolis and Kansas City are coming up September 12 and 13. Other Walk for PKD events are scheduled throughout the fall.

"There are now clinical trials for PKD, including those aimed at helping children with the disease, and several drugs showing promise as potential treatments," said Dan Larson, PKD Foundation President and CEO. "All that's needed now is funding. The Walk for PKD is an easy and meaningful way to provide help and hope to the millions, worldwide, with PKD."

For find a Walk for PKD near you and support research needed to find a treatment and cure for PKD, visit www.pkdcure.org or call 1-800-PKD-CURE. Registration is easy and free. To help drive fundraising, PKD leaders are asking all registrants to ask 20 friends for $20 each.

PKD causes cysts to grow on the kidneys, eventually leading to kidney failure. Dialysis and transplantation are the only treatments for kidney failure. There is no cure for PKD. The PKD Foundation is the only organization, worldwide, fighting PKD through research, education, advocacy, support and awareness. Learn more at www.pkdcure.org.

SOURCE PKD Foundation