Podcasts Business Pharmacist's Voice Interview with Dave Bitkowski, RX Target Systems Founder and GPA Advocate

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

Published: May 8, 2020, 12:43 p.m.

Today\u2019s episode is an interview with Ohio Pharmacist Dave Bitkowski.\xa0 Dave is an advocate for his daughter Melissa and her rare kidney disease GPA (granulomatosis with polyangiitis).\xa0 He is also a pharmacist entrepreneur who provides entertainment in the form of air gun targets.\xa0

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\xa0

Dave Bitkowski\u2019s 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.\xa0 Dave Founded Rx Target Systems in 2017.\xa0 RX Target Systems is a premium target manufacturing business for airsoft guns and air guns.\xa0

I invited Dave on the podcast because he advocates, educates, and entertains. \xa0

Dave\u2019s daughter Melissa has a rare kidney disease called granulomatosis with polyangiitis (also known as GPA), and he is her advocate.\xa0 To help with the cost of her care and to have a creative outlet, Dave used his air-gun hobby to launch a business. \xa0

He educates air gunners that a simple tool, like his targets, can enhance skill without costing a lot of money.\xa0 Rx Target System\u2019s mission is not only to enhance air gun marksmanship skills, but also to increase pediatric kidney disease awareness.\xa0

He fits into the entertainment category too because his product entertains air gun enthusiasts at home and in competition. \xa0

Products sold by Rx Target Systems have earned favorable reviews by leaders in the air gun sporting industry.\xa0 For example the Pyramyd Air Cup speed shooting competition featured RX Target Systems in 2019.\xa0 RX Target Systems are also used on quality assurance ranges at Corporations such as UTG, Crosman, and Umarex. \xa0

Dave Bitkowski is pharmacist entrepreneur with a great story!

Melissa\u2019s Story

Dave\u2019s daughter Melissa got sick with a rare kidney disease called granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA) when she was 6 years old (in 1st grade).\xa0 She is now 11 years old. \xa0

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.\xa0 It is a rheumatological disorder, and Melissa\u2019s form of GPA was localized to her kidneys.\xa0 It is more common in adults, ages 40-65.\xa0 At the time of her diagnosis, Melissa\u2019s GPA was the second Toledo, OH-area case her pediatric nephrologist had seen in 15 years.

Kidney donor testing is like astronaut testing:\xa0 labs, physicals, scans, and more.

A living donor and a deceased donor were both considered.\xa0 Willing family members were tested:\xa0 Mom, Dad, and a cousin.\xa0 A physical exam was needed to determine physical fitness to withstand the donation surgery.\xa0 The kidneys themselves were scanned.\xa0 Blood test results for Rh factor and kidney function were performed.\xa0 Plus, the economic impact on the family was considered.\xa0 Finding the best match possible is time-consuming and complicated.\xa0 It took almost a year to complete testing, pick a donor, and schedule a surgery date.\xa0 Melissa was 9 years old when she got her new kidney.

Who is Melissa\u2019s kidney donor?

Melissa hoped for a woman\u2019s kidney, and a female cousin became Melissa\u2019s kidney donor. \xa0

The transplant team walked past with a cooler\u2026

Dave recounted seeing the transplant team walk from the adult donor\u2019s recovery area to his daughter\u2019s pediatric surgery unit WITH A COOLER.\xa0 Time stopped, and he witnessed a miracle being delivered.\xa0 (It was Melissa\u2019s new kidney!)

Why did the transplant happen on 7/11?

Melissa was able to pick the date because she had a living donor.\xa0 Melissa recognized that 7/11 is a lucky number combo and picked that date.\xa0

How does Melissa\u2019s life post-transplant affect your family? \xa0

Melissa needs to take a number of medications every 12 hours to prevent her body from rejecting\xa0 the donor kidney, among other concerns.\xa0 She needs her temperature checked routinely.\xa0 Fluid goals need to be met daily to avoid dehydration. \xa0

How does an organ transplant affect Melissa\u2019s school day?

School has been accommodating with extra bathroom breaks and cautioning the family about health threats.\xa0 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\u2019s organ transplant affect extracurricular opportunities? \xa0

Sleepovers are more complicated.\xa0 If Melissa needs her medications while outside the home, reminders are needed, but she can still participate.\xa0 Non-contact sports are the only ones allowed. \xa0

How has your background as a pharmacist helped your family navigate your daughter\u2019s kidney disease? \xa0

It\u2019s a double-edged sword.\xa0 Dave is a pharmacist and a medication expert.\xa0 He also understands insurance hurdles and how to navigate them. He was able to talk to his daughter\u2019s nephrologist and healthcare team on a high level.\xa0 He can also fill her medication boxes. \xa0

Dave and his wife make a great team!

Dave and his wife care for their daughter Melissa together.\xa0 Dave takes the lead on medical issues.\xa0 His wife takes the lead on Melissa\u2019s social life, school responsibilities, etc.\xa0 They make a great team!

What is one of the biggest challenges you have had to overcome with your daughter\u2019s GPA?

Finding a \u201cnew normal\u201d with restrictions.\xa0 Leaving the house had to wait until some time after the kidney transplant.\xa0 Going on vacation or to a crowded restaurant or movie theater right after the transplant was impossible.\xa0 Plus, focusing on \u201cjust being a Dad\u201d and putting Melissa first during the crisis was a challenge.\xa0 It\u2019s 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\u2019s situation and allowed one month off.
  • The social worker staff at U of M encouraged healing for Melissa and the entire family.
  • Dave\u2019s wife quit her job to stay home and care for their daughter.\xa0

RX Target Systems builds and sells air gun targets \xa0

  • 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. \xa0

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\u2019s name at the University of Michigan.\xa0 (The fund helps social workers who serve families who have a child on dialysis.)\xa0 A portion of the income from RX Target Systems goes to The Fund.\xa0 Dave wants to help others.
  • Earn money to fund his daughter\u2019s ongoing healthcare needs.

Dave\u2019s air gun hobby started in 2006

Dave started shooting air guns as a hobby in 2006.\xa0 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. \xa0

There are 3 types of air gun events:\xa0 field target, benchrest, and speed shooting.\xa0 Dave made speed-shooting targets for an event called the Pyramyd Air Gun Competition in August 2019.\xa0 To learn more, visit\xa0 https://www.pyramydaircup.com.\xa0 RX Target Systems were the first resettable speed targets used at that level of competition in the US.\xa0 Because target reset time was fast, the length of the competition was cut in half! \xa0

RX Target Systems are also great for backyard and range use

With more people staying at home due to COVID-19, they\u2019re bored and looking for something to do.\xa0 Some people are trying air guns and target-shooting with Dave\u2019s products. \xa0

RX Target Systems are the next generation of air gun targets

Air guns have become so powerful that there weren\u2019t air gun targets strong enough for them and firearms targets were needed.\xa0 Dave saw that as a problem and created the next generation of air gun targets that can handle high-powered air guns. \xa0

What do you love most about RX Target Systems?

  • Educating air gunners that a simple tool (a target!) can enhance skill and doesn\u2019t have to cost a lot of money.
  • Recognition from peers in the air gun industry. \xa0
  • Camaraderie in the air gun community to advance the sport. \xa0
  • Educating others about GPA and raising money for a fund that helps others.

What\u2019s something people don\u2019t realize about being a pharmacist entrepreneur?\xa0

Business skills weren\u2019t covered in pharmacy school, but you can learn what you need to know. \xa0The skills you need to learn something new are the same skills you used to complete your pharmacy education.\xa0 Being a pharmacist helps with RX Target Systems because of the teaching element.\xa0 Counseling patients and educating air gun enthusiasts is similar.\xa0

Closing remarks

When you struggle, how you react defines you.\xa0 Face your hard times; move forward; and prevail. \xa0

The Pharmacist\u2019s Voice Podcast has listeners in 36 US States and 21 countries.\xa0