Olympian Missy Franklin encourages health-centric conversations amid effort to raise kidney disease awareness

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Five-time Olympic Gold medalist Missy Franklin has reached numerous heights throughout her storied athletic career. But, the now-retired professional swimmer is now using her platform to raise awareness about a disease that hits close to home — Autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease.

Franklin's father was diagnosed with Autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD). He has since undergone a successful transplant surgery. But, everyone may have not heard about the debilitating disease if someone close to them has not had it.

Through an ongoing collaboration with Otsuka America Pharmaceutical, Inc., Franklin is doing her part to speak out on the importance of families having conversations about health history and genetic diseases.

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Missy Franklin speaks at the Speedo Rio 2016 Olympic Games Racing Suit Unveiling at SIR Stage37 on December 15, 2015 in New York City.  (Ryan Liu/FilmMagic)

ADPKD is a type of progressive polycystic kidney disease (PKD) that causes clusters of cysts, or pouches filled with fluid, to form primarily within the kidneys, according to information from the Mayo Clinic. The kidneys then enlarge, before eventually becoming non-functional. 

"I've been honored and so excited to be in collaboration with Otsuka to bring awareness to ADPKD. It's a very rare genetic disease that runs on my dad's side of the family." Franklin told Fox News Digital. 

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In addition to her father, some other members of Franklin's family have been diagnosed with the inherited