Corner Brook woman raising awareness about deadly kidney disease

ACorner Brook womanis fighting for her life, andfor awareness of a disease that has plagued her family for generations.

Nina Young was first diagnosed with polycystickidney disease (PKD) when she was 12 years old. Since then,she's witnessed six of her nine family members die as a result of the disease, including her mother.

"I remember growing up with a lot of depression," said Young."My mom was really sick and she fought for eight years on dialysis. Unfortunately it didn't work properly, and she ended up getting brain damage and I took care of her the last two years of her life."

A common genetic diseasein Canada

It was then, Young realized just how important it was to spread awareness. She herselfbegan dialysis two and a half years ago, and is currently on the waiting list for a kidney transplant.

According to the PKDFoundation of Canada,autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease is one of the most common genetic diseases in the country, affecting about 1 in 500 people.

It's characterized by numerous large cysts forming inside and around the kidneys, impeding their function. People with it have a 50 per cent chance of passing it onto their children.

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Despite a grimprognosis, regularhospital visits and frequent complications, Young said she has chosen to remain hopeful that a cure will be found, especially since her daughter, now 18, also has the disease.

"I'm trying to be brave and stay positive for my daughter and for the rest of my family," she said.

"Right now, there is no cure, but there is a treatment:tolvaptan. It's hope for my daughter and for those whose kidneys are just starting to decline."

This year theCity of Corner Brook proclaimed September 4PKDAwareness Day.

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