Stories of Change

We are honored to share that the Zarpet Family Foundation has pledged a transformational gift of $12 million for the establishment of the Zarpet Family Foundation PKD Center Fund and the Endowed Fund in PKD Research. The invaluable resources from this generous contribution will fuel key polycystic kidney disease (PKD) research at the University of Colorado Anschutz PKD Center within the CU Anschutz School of Medicine’s Division of Renal Diseases and Hypertension. 

PKD is a genetic disease that can cause progressive decline in kidney function. The Zarpet Family Foundation PKD funds will create a thorough, enduring structure of support for all facets of research and clinical management of this condition. The Foundation’s gift will spark innovative pilot programs, enhance operational capacity, ensure recruitment of top talent, expand data collection to strengthen applications for external funding and drive consistent improvements across the continuum of care. 

The funds will also aim to increase access to care and promote integrated, multidisciplinary collaborations across departments and medical sub-specialties essential to comprehensive PKD management. 

We are deeply grateful for all that this gift will make possible for the future of the field and PKD patients everywhere. Our sincere thanks to the Zarpet Family Foundation for their remarkable generosity, Michel Chonchol, MD, for his extraordinary leadership and to Elizabeth Hepworth and Marti Laule in the Office of Advancement for their thoughtful partnership in bringing this vision to life.