Kurt and Renee's Story

My world was completely flipped upside down when my parents called June of 2007.  Calmly and with optimism in their voice, I was told my dad was diagnosed with stage 4 kidney cancer.  Millions of questions run through your head at this time, but the most important question for me was, will he be around to meet his grandchild?

My father is my biggest fan and best role model a son could have, which I wanted my kids to know and experience.  After rounds of chemotherapy, medication and an extraordinary Nephrology/Oncology team at Kaiser Maui, my father is a rare success story.  He has currently been in remission for four years and was there to meet his first grandchild.  But, to ensure his ongoing health, along with so many others in this country, we must do our part to raise funds for medical treatments.  Not only has my father been affected by a kidney disease, my wife Renee, has a story of her own. 

My sister, Patricia was in the fourth grade when she was diagnosed with FSGS (Focal Segmental Glomerulosclerosis) , which affects the filtering system of the kidneys.  She was in and out of Children’s Hospital Los Angeles for quite some time. As a big sister, you want to protect her, take away her pain. She was so very young at this time, but, all you can do is pray that God will heal her.  Watching her go through so much and never complaining taught me to never take my health for granted. 
Click here to read Patricia's story >

Similar to Warren Suzuki, Patricia has been in remission but needs constant monitoring under doctor supervision.  For these reasons, it was an easy choice for my wife and me to promote the importance of kidney health and do our part to raise funds for kidney disease.

With Much Thanks,

Kurt and Renee Suzuki

Achievements/Awards

Bill Rigney "Good Guy Award" 2009

"Catfish Hunter Award"  2009