A One-of-a-Kind Lifeline: A First Responder’s Kidney Health Journey
Like the more than 25 million first responders in the United States, Jeff Cooper, a former deputy in the Broward County Polygraph Unit, took an oath to protect and serve his community. However, like many first responders, Cooper’s promise did not necessarily extend to himself — until a worsening medical condition forced him to focus on his health.Polycystic Kidney Disease (PKD) affects more than seven million people worldwide, and in 1975 Cooper became one of those impacted by the disease. His PKD diagnosis, a hereditary condition, took him on a journey that would not only give him access to an innovative new technology, but would also allow him to experience remarkable camaraderie that would eventually stretch beyond the oath to protect and serve.A Lifeline for Patients with End-Stage Renal DiseasePKD is a genetic disorder that causes cysts to develop on the kidneys — making them enlarge and lose function. This hereditary condition can lead to the final stage of chronic kidney disease...