About Us

John Turek, Founder & President

I  have Polycystic Kidney Disease (PKD). It is a disease in which cysts  form on your kidneys until they destroy them.  It is hereditary and my  family first learned of the genetic disease when my Grandmother, Enola-Aubert Turek was diagnosed. Some years later, my father, Charles  Turek was also afflicted and began peritoneal dialysis.

Even though I was aware of my family history, like most everyone with kidney failure, I  wasn't prepared for dialysis.  It began soon after my 40th birthday and continued for nearly 5 years .

During those first 3-4 months I wondered how to occupy my time. I  decided to take online classes thinking I could earn a degree. I started  shopping around for schools and immediately realized I didn’t have  enough money for this endeavor.

A  few months prior, I was asked to participate in a clinical trial and  received $840.  I decided to use the $840 and form a charity. With my  family's help and legal advice, I was able to form a non-profit 501(c)3  corporation and named it "The Turek-Aubert Memorial Scholarship Fund", dba "The Dialysis Schlarship Fund". This foundation is in memory of my father, Charles Turek and my  Grandmother, Enola Aubert-Turek and those in my family who are also  afflicted with PKD. 

I  was one of 75,000 people on the UNOS waiting list for a kidney  transplant. On average, 30,000 of those do not have viable prospects for  a living donor and they wait at least 5-7 years for deceased donor  kidneys.  

I  was one of the lucky ones. In January 2013 I received the "magic call"  from a donor I will never meet. Every day people die waiting for a life  saving transplant. Those of us who wait are not only suffering from many  forms of pain and discomfort, but in my case, my biggest enemy was  boredom. I spent 20 hours per week at the dialysis center just basically  sitting there. 

I  speak for myself  when I say  End Stage Renal Disease is the best thing  that happened to me. If it wouldn’t have showed up at my 40th birthday  celebration to give me a “gift”, I would probably not be alive today!

They  say  when the blind lose their sight or the deaf lose the ability to  hear, the rest of their senses start to work overtime. I feel this  happened to me . . . only my kidneys stopped, which allowed my heart to  step up and work extra hard.

Your  donation will help those who are coping with the setback of dialysis  while waiting for a transplant. The recipients benefit greatly from this  service, but I think in the end it will be you and I that benefit most.

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Don Turek, Director

I am the oldest of the Turek children. In 1978, at the age of 12, I suffered burns to 63% of my body in a fire.  After 28 surgeries and four years of doctors and hospitals, I was able to return to a somewhat normal life.  

Along with my grandmother, Enola, my Father, Chuck, my brother, John, and my sister, Angie, I too have PKD.   In 2013, my blood pressure started getting higher and higher, I scheduled an appointment with a nephrologist and received the results five days l

 Patty Krafft, Director

I am the mother of two sons, Donald and John whose stories are told above. They were young children when their fraternal Grandmother, Enola Aubert-Turek was diagnosed with Polycystic Kidney Disease (PKD). The family didn't know anything about the disease, but it soon became clear it could be passed through generations.

Several years later our worst fears were realized when their father, Chuck Turek was diagnosed with PKD and eventually so were Donald, Johnny and their stepsister, Angie.

After many years of dialysis, Johnny received a kidney transplant. Prayers were answered and his life was forever changed by the kindness of a stranger. We understand the donor was a male in his 40s who suffered a heart attack.  Words cannot possibly express my gratitude for giving my son a second chance. I hope that in their grief and darkest sorrow they know their son, brother, husband, or friend lives on through others who will think of him each day with eternal love.

And now we await the same miracle for Don. We almost lost him after a double nephrectomy.  Earlier in his life he survived trauma from burns and now his body was being ravaged by the disease and weakness to recover from the surgery.  But his strength, courage and many answered prayers are aiding in his recovery.

I am extremely proud of both my children. Through adversity, they never gave up.  Johnny began this Foundation and Don has devoted time and support to ensure its growth.  Since its inception, we have helped many students with their studies and with your support, we will be able to help many more.