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Interview with Dave Bitkowski, RX Target Systems Founder and GPA Advocate

May 8, 2020

Today’s episode is an interview with Ohio Pharmacist Dave Bitkowski.  Dave is an advocate for his daughter Melissa and her rare kidney disease GPA (granulomatosis with polyangiitis).  He is also a pharmacist entrepreneur who provides entertainment in the form of air gun targets. 

Mentioned in this episode

To purchase RX Target systems, visit rxtargetsystems.com or the following vendors:

RX Target Systems are used on quality assurance ranges at Corporations such as 

Dave Bitkowski’s Bio

Dave Bitkowski graduated from the University of Toledo College of Pharmacy with his Bachelor of Science Degree in 1995. He is a long term care pharmacist in Northwest Ohio.  Dave Founded Rx Target Systems in 2017.  RX Target Systems is a premium target manufacturing business for airsoft guns and air guns. 

I invited Dave on the podcast because he advocates, educates, and entertains.  

Dave’s daughter Melissa has a rare kidney disease called granulomatosis with polyangiitis (also known as GPA), and he is her advocate.  To help with the cost of her care and to have a creative outlet, Dave used his air-gun hobby to launch a business.  

He educates air gunners that a simple tool, like his targets, can enhance skill without costing a lot of money.  Rx Target System’s mission is not only to enhance air gun marksmanship skills, but also to increase pediatric kidney disease awareness. 

He fits into the entertainment category too because his product entertains air gun enthusiasts at home and in competition.  

Products sold by Rx Target Systems have earned favorable reviews by leaders in the air gun sporting industry.  For example the Pyramyd Air Cup speed shooting competition featured RX Target Systems in 2019.  RX Target Systems are also used on quality assurance ranges at Corporations such as UTG, Crosman, and Umarex.  

Dave Bitkowski is pharmacist entrepreneur with a great story!

Melissa’s Story

Dave’s daughter Melissa got sick with a rare kidney disease called granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA) when she was 6 years old (in 1st grade).  She is now 11 years old.  

Facts about GPA

According to medscape.com, the prevalence of GPA in the United States is estimated to be 3 cases per 100,000 people.  It is a rheumatological disorder, and Melissa’s form of GPA was localized to her kidneys.  It is more common in adults, ages 40-65.  At the time of her diagnosis, Melissa’s GPA was the second Toledo, OH-area case her pediatric nephrologist had seen in 15 years.

Kidney donor testing is like astronaut testing:  labs, physicals, scans, and more.

A living donor and a deceased donor were both considered.  Willing family members were tested:  Mom, Dad, and a cousin.  A physical exam was needed to determine physical fitness to withstand the donation surgery.  The kidneys themselves were scanned.  Blood test results for Rh factor and kidney function were performed.  Plus, the economic impact on the family was considered.  Finding the best match possible is time-consuming and complicated.  It took almost a year to complete testing, pick a donor, and schedule a surgery date.  Melissa was 9 years old when she got her new kidney.

Who is Melissa’s kidney donor?

Melissa hoped for a woman’s kidney, and a female cousin became Melissa’s kidney donor.  

The transplant team walked past with a cooler…

Dave recounted seeing the transplant team walk from the adult donor’s recovery area to his daughter’s pediatric surgery unit WITH A COOLER.  Time stopped, and he witnessed a miracle being delivered.  (It was Melissa’s new kidney!)

Why did the transplant happen on 7/11?

Melissa was able to pick the date because she had a living donor.  Melissa recognized that 7/11 is a lucky number combo and picked that date. 

How does Melissa’s life post-transplant affect your family?  

Melissa needs to take a number of medications every 12 hours to prevent her body from rejecting  the donor kidney, among other concerns.  She needs her temperature checked routinely.  Fluid goals need to be met daily to avoid dehydration.  

How does an organ transplant affect Melissa’s school day?

School has been accommodating with extra bathroom breaks and cautioning the family about health threats.  Even prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, the school nurse would communicate flu outbreaks and other concerns so Melissa can wash hands more, wear a mask, etc.

How does Melissa’s organ transplant affect extracurricular opportunities?  

Sleepovers are more complicated.  If Melissa needs her medications while outside the home, reminders are needed, but she can still participate.  Non-contact sports are the only ones allowed.  

How has your background as a pharmacist helped your family navigate your daughter’s kidney disease?  

It’s a double-edged sword.  Dave is a pharmacist and a medication expert.  He also understands insurance hurdles and how to navigate them. He was able to talk to his daughter’s nephrologist and healthcare team on a high level.  He can also fill her medication boxes.  

Dave and his wife make a great team!

Dave and his wife care for their daughter Melissa together.  Dave takes the lead on medical issues.  His wife takes the lead on Melissa’s social life, school responsibilities, etc.  They make a great team!

What is one of the biggest challenges you have had to overcome with your daughter’s GPA?

Finding a “new normal” with restrictions.  Leaving the house had to wait until some time after the kidney transplant.  Going on vacation or to a crowded restaurant or movie theater right after the transplant was impossible.  Plus, focusing on “just being a Dad” and putting Melissa first during the crisis was a challenge.  It’s hard to get bad news and move forward.

Support is important

  • Dave and his family had faith that things would be ok.
  • His employer was very understanding of his family’s situation and allowed one month off.
  • The social worker staff at U of M encouraged healing for Melissa and the entire family.
  • Dave’s wife quit her job to stay home and care for their daughter. 

RX Target Systems builds and sells air gun targets  

  • For more information, visit https://www.rxtargetsystems.com.
  • Dave founded the company in March 2017 with the encouragement of his peers in the air gun community.  

Business Goals

  • Improve client marksmanship and skill level with his shooting products
  • Raise awareness about GPA (granulomatosis with polyangiitis) on the business website
  • Support a fund in his daughter’s name at the University of Michigan.  (The fund helps social workers who serve families who have a child on dialysis.)  A portion of the income from RX Target Systems goes to The Fund.  Dave wants to help others.
  • Earn money to fund his daughter’s ongoing healthcare needs.

Dave’s air gun hobby started in 2006

Dave started shooting air guns as a hobby in 2006.  He started with a basic pellet gun and graduated to more powerful air guns, which are used in sporting competitions and hunting.

RX Target Systems are featured and sold at speed-shooting competitions.  

There are 3 types of air gun events:  field target, benchrest, and speed shooting.  Dave made speed-shooting targets for an event called the Pyramyd Air Gun Competition in August 2019.  To learn more, visit  https://www.pyramydaircup.com.  RX Target Systems were the first resettable speed targets used at that level of competition in the US.  Because target reset time was fast, the length of the competition was cut in half!  

RX Target Systems are also great for backyard and range use

With more people staying at home due to COVID-19, they’re bored and looking for something to do.  Some people are trying air guns and target-shooting with Dave’s products.  

RX Target Systems are the next generation of air gun targets

Air guns have become so powerful that there weren’t air gun targets strong enough for them and firearms targets were needed.  Dave saw that as a problem and created the next generation of air gun targets that can handle high-powered air guns.  

What do you love most about RX Target Systems?

  • Educating air gunners that a simple tool (a target!) can enhance skill and doesn’t have to cost a lot of money.
  • Recognition from peers in the air gun industry.  
  • Camaraderie in the air gun community to advance the sport.  
  • Educating others about GPA and raising money for a fund that helps others.

What’s something people don’t realize about being a pharmacist entrepreneur? 

Business skills weren’t covered in pharmacy school, but you can learn what you need to know.  The skills you need to learn something new are the same skills you used to complete your pharmacy education.  Being a pharmacist helps with RX Target Systems because of the teaching element.  Counseling patients and educating air gun enthusiasts is similar. 

Closing remarks

When you struggle, how you react defines you.  Face your hard times; move forward; and prevail.  

The Pharmacist’s Voice Podcast has listeners in 36 US States and 21 countries.