PKD Life - Summer 2023 - 5

Community Connection
Awareness
SAD in the
Summer?
S ummer is usually the most
eagerly anticipated season,
with its long days, warm sun,
and outdoor activities. For some
people, however, summer brings
on depression.
Seasonal affective disorder (SAD),
now officially called major depressive
disorder with seasonal pattern, typically
affects people in the winter. It's
thought to be triggered by shorter
days and cold weather. Less is known
about the causes of the summer
variant, but factors may include heat
and humidity, a change in schedule
and routines, and social pressures.
Longer days can also disrupt circadian
rhythms, and therefore sleep,
which can trigger depression.
Symptoms may also differ
depending on the season. In the
winter, the disorder is associated
with having a lack of motivation
WHAT GOT YOU
INVOLVED IN ADVOCACY
EFFORTS FOR THE PKD
FOUNDATION?
and low energy, while people who
experience the disorder in the
summer tend to feel restless and
agitated. They may be anxious,
have trouble sleeping, and have a
decreased appetite.
Cognitive behavioral therapy has
been shown to be an effective treatment
in the wintertime and may be
helpful for those who struggle in the
summer. Other things that might
help include taking cool baths or
showers and using air conditioning
to reduce the effects of heat and
humidity, keeping a regular schedule,
getting enough sleep, and exercising
regularly.
WILMA MANKILLER
COMMEMORATIVE QUARTER
Is there a Wilma Mankiller quarter in your wallet?
In 2022, the U.S. Mint released a quarter featuring
Wilma Pearl Mankiller's likeness as part of its American
Women Quarters Program. Mankiller lived from 1945
to 2010, and her long list of accomplishments includes serving as the
first female principal chief of the Cherokee Nation, seeking land and
compensation for the Pit River Tribe, and receiving the Presidential
Medal of Freedom, the country's highest civilian honor.
Mankiller also lived with several chronic diseases, including PKD,
and underwent two kidney transplants.
" I joined the PKD
Foundation's
advocacy group
[Advocacy
Champions Network]
in 2023. The catalyst
was the deterioration
and death of my
father, Fred Philipsen,
who passed on May 5,
2022, at age 76. He
was a veteran of the
Vietnam War, where
he flew fighter jets for
the U.S. Navy. After
his military service,
he had a successful
career as a pilot,
making captain at
Alaska Airlines. It was
devastating to watch
such a capable man
deteriorate without
any options for
restoring his health.
I'm looking forward
to learning how to
advocate on behalf
of the people being
represented by the
PKD Foundation.
I see advocacy efforts
as democracy at
its best! "
-Christian Philipsen,
Alexandria, Virginia
" The Foundation
reached out in 2020
and asked if I'd done
any advocacy work.
At first, I thought not.
But I've lived with one
kidney since infancy
due to cancer, and in
2004, I was diagnosed
with PKD. This gives
me a really good
story to tell. As a PKD
Foundation advocate,
I've met with legislators
and participated in
two Virtual Advocacy
Days. I also participated
in Kidney Health
Advocacy Day in 2022,
which involved 22
kidney stakeholder
groups, including
the PKD Foundation.
Sharing my story
helps personalize
PKD to legislators
and promotes the
Foundation's advocacy
goals. My advocacy
work also transforms
my PKD dismay into
action and purpose
for others with this
disease. "
-Catherine M. Sjostedt,
Tehachapi, California
Would you like to be featured in a
future issue of PKD Life? Email
pkdlife@pkdcure.org.
FIND MORE STORIES AND RESOURCES AT CONNECT.PKDCURE.ORG
5
LEFT TO RIGHT: BLANCHI COSTELA/GETTY IMAGES, PAFF/STOCKSY
http://CONNECT.PKDCURE.ORG
PKD Life - Summer 2023

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of PKD Life - Summer 2023
