Genevieve is living with stage 4 chronic kidney disease, a condition that has affected generations of her family, including her son.
While she’s unable to attend this year’s Michigan Kidney Walk in Detroit, her impact is still being felt.
In her own words, Genevieve shares how she turned her experience into action by bringing her community together to support kidney disease awareness close to home.
I currently live with Stage 4 chronic kidney disease caused by polycystic kidney disease (PKD), which runs in my family on my father’s side. Kidney disease has impacted multiple generations of my family, including my son, so this cause is deeply important to me both personally and emotionally.
I have worked at Paramount Charter Academy in Kalamazoo since 2006 and am also a wife and mother of two, so navigating kidney disease while continuing to work, raise a family, and stay active in my community has become a large part of my journey.
I currently receive kidney care through Bronson Hospital and the University of Michigan for transplant care, and have also begun meeting with transplant specialists as I prepare for the future stages of this disease. While there are certainly difficult moments, I have tried to focus on advocacy, awareness, and community support through events like the Michigan Kidney Walk.
This year, I organized a local satellite walk in Otsego, Michigan in support of the Michigan Kidney Walk. We had over 75 people in attendance, including family, friends, coworkers, students, and community members. Everyone wore orange to show support and awareness for kidney disease, and we tried to make the event feel welcoming and family-friendly by providing snacks, drinks, and small toys and activities for the children who attended.
Through community support, we raised approximately $1,600 through the walk website, received a generous $1,000 donation from The Abbey Fund, and sold approximately $150 in raffle tickets during the event. It was incredibly meaningful to see so many people come together to support kidney disease awareness and fundraising.
Our local 5K event was designed to feel hopeful, supportive, and community-centered for others who may be facing similar challenges and to help remind people that they are not alone in this journey.
