Dec. 2025 Newsletter
Westchester County Resident Shares PKD Journey
News 12 Westchester featured an uplifting story in late November 2025 with Mamaroneck, NY, resident William Meyer, highlighting both his personal journey and the critical mission of PKD-Free Alliance.
Polycystic Kidney Disease (PKD) is a genetic disorder affecting more than 600,000 people in the United States. For William, it is a condition that runs through multiple generations. He was diagnosed in his junior year of college, and his mother and two older sisters also live with the disease.
Over 10 years ago, he and his wife utilized IVF with PGT-M to have a PKD-free child. William continues to be a leading advocate for this approach and the funding PKD-Free Alliance provides families.
Visit our website to learn how you can support our PKD-Free Babies program with a matched gift.
Watch the full News 12 segment below.
ADPKD and Your Metabolic Health
For many in the PKD-Free Alliance community, the journey with ADPKD is about more than managing a condition — it’s about protecting your future, your family, and the life you’re building. Whether you’re preparing for IVF, navigating preconception health, or simply wanting to feel your best day-to-day, your metabolic health plays a powerful role in how you move forward.
Last month at ASN Kidney Week, Alliance staff spoke at length with the Santa Barbara Nutrients team about their Ren-Nu™ program and how it supports the health journey of ADPKD patients.
It’s a 12-week, science-based nutrition and lifestyle program developed by ADPKD researchers, nephrologists, dietitians, and patients who understand what this path looks like. Ren-Nu™ focuses on addressing the root metabolic drivers of ADPKD — things like inflammation, insulin resistance, and acidosis — through kidney-safe nutrition, KetoCitra®, weekly community support, and personalized guidance.
Fertility is closely linked to metabolic health because normal reproductive function depends on balanced energy availability, insulin sensitivity, and hormone regulation. Metabolic disorders such as obesity, insulin resistance, or diabetes can disrupt sex hormones, ovulation, or sperm production and thereby reduce fertility in both women and men. Improving one’s metabolic health through a program like Ren-Nu™ can be a helpful part of preparation before starting an IVF procedure.
Click here to view an educational flyer about the program.
Learn more at https://ren-nu.org/.
Alliance staff, Melinna and Kevin (second and third from right), with members of the Santa Barbara Nutrients team at ASN Kidney Week 2025.
PKD Research Roundup
A recent article in Nutrients outlines the impact of plant-based nutrition in PKD.
Accurate kidney, liver, and cyst volumes are important aspects of ADPKD diagnosis and care. An article published in the Journal of the American Society of Nephrology (JASN) last month shares how a web-based deep learning platform is assisting volume measurement.
The November issue of JASN also included a study on the role of cell surface receptor Integrin Alpha1 Beta1 and how it affected renal scarring and cyst growth in a PKD mouse model.
Follow PKD-Free Alliance's X account to be the first to know about scientific announcements and newly published research. Note: You may need to sign in to your X account to see our posts.
Warm holiday wishes to all members of the PKD-Free community. May this season bring comfort, connection, and hope to you and your loved ones.
With gratitude,
Richard, Kevin, and Melinna
