AUSTIN, Texas – After her son died, Chardonnay Poole made it her mission to help families whose children are suffering from kidney disease. Over the weekend, the foundation named for the child was honored at the clinic he received dialysis from.
- Conley Duke suffered from liver cancer and stage renal failure
- Was diagnosed at birth
- Foundation created in his honor
Three years ago, 13-month-old Conley Duke died from liver cancer. He’d been battling it and end stage renal failure since birth.
“He was just an amazing child. And he taught us that, you know, the time on this world is precious," said Poole.
After his death, Conley’s parents started a foundation in his honor to provide emotional and financial support for families that have kids with chronic kidney disease.
“I didn't have a lot of control over what happened to Conley. But this is something that I can use and have the community's help to provide hands-on, direct support for the families that are still undergoing [these] difficulties," said Poole.
The doctors who treated Conley at the Children’s Dialysis Clinic of Central Texas honored the Conley Duke Foundation Sunday as the clinic celebrated 18 years of providing life-saving treatment for kids with kidney disease.
“It's wonderful events like this where we can take a step back from the day to day difficulty of managing chronic kidney disease and managing end stage renal disease to really see these kids and families that are thriving," said pediatric nephrologist Dr. David Simon, medical director of the Children's Dialysis Clinic of Central Texas.
For Conley’s family, the foundation is a special way to remember Conley and continue his legacy.
“With living comes heartache and struggling, kind of part of life. And so if we can take that and use that to help other people continue to do what they need to do every day. That's all that matters," said Poole.