Valen Cover is not only beautiful; she is strong and a wonderfully inspiring person. After learning at a young age that she has PKD, Valen has undergone 70 blood transfusions and countless surgeries, including a life-saving kidney transplant, and has over 40 inches of scars crisscrossing her body. She has literally waged war against this genetically inherited disease that affects 12.5 million people.
Polycystic kidney disease is the most common life-threatening disease in the world. PKD causes painful cysts to grow on the kidneys, usually resulting in kidney failure and death.
Since the beginning of 2004, Valen has been involved with the PKD Foundation. She is currently the Chapter and Walk Coordinator for the South Central Pennsylvania PKD Foundation Chapter. Additionally, Valen served as the PKD Foundation National Campaign Chair for the 2005-2006 "Campaign for the Cure."
Be sure to read Valen's story (link above), "God Gave Me Lemmons, So I Made Lemonade," and visit the PKD Foundation website for more information. |
