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NephCure's
Ambassador Program
Alonzo Mourning, a seven-time NBA All-Star, played 12 games for the New Jersey Nets in the 2003-04 season before FSGS forced his retirement on November 25, 2003. Some three weeks later, he underwent a transplant in which he received a kidney donated by his cousin. “Zo” will participate in the Nets’ 2004-05 training camp as he attempts to revive his pro basketball career while spreading the word about FSGS and its devastating effects and serving as a role model for those who share his illness.
 Jim Gerlach is a United States Congressman representing the 6th district of Pennsylvania. He has spent the last 15 years in public service representing the citizens of Southeastern Pennsylvania. Mr. Gerlach’s initiatives include access to affordable healthcare, preserving the region’s environmental resources, and improving and maintaining the area’s transportation network. He is also proud to have helped secure Pennsylvania seniors a prescription drug benefit through Medicare that will provide 13.2 million of the nation’s poorest seniors with free medications, while giving all seniors access to significant prescription drug assistance. Mr. Gerlach is currently serving his third term in the U.S. House of Representatives, first winning the open 6th Congressional District seat in 2002.
 Ed Hearn is a member of the 1986 World Champion NY Mets. Upon being traded to the Kansas City Royals he sustained a career-ending shoulder injury. He soon discovered he had FSGS, which has forced him to undergo three kidney transplants. Hearn is the author of Conquering Life’s Curves and is the only professional athlete to be a Certified Speaking Professional. Hearn has served NephCure as an Ambassador by testifying before Congress and the Appropriations Committee in April, 2004 urging them to dedicate more funding to NIH and glomerular disease research. Hearn visits pediatric nephrology patients in hospitals and dialysis centers to spread smiles and hope. He also contributes by donating a portion of the revenue from his speaking engagements to NephCure and he will be speaking at the Elpis Awards to honor his own kidney donors and celebrate kidney donation.
 Jesse Jackson Jr. is a member of the House of Representatives, for the second congressional district of Illinois, and is currently on the House Appropriations Committee. Jackson also works on the subcommittee for labor, health, human services, and education as well as the subcommittee for Foreign Operations, Export Financing and Related Programs. Jesse Jackson Jr. led the creation of the National Center on Minority Health and Health Disparities at the National Institute of health. Jackson Jr. is known for his good manners, decorum and propriety along with the millions of Federal Grant Awards that he has secured, mainly concerning health, scholarships, and
school programs. In 2004 Jesse Jackson Jr. became an Ambassador of the NephCure Foundation after previously residing over Public Witness Hearings involving the NephCure Foundation which was advocating for funding for research.
 Gaylon Hyder was born in Longview Texas and is a former NFL Super Bowl Champion with the St. Louis Rams. Gaylon Hyder also played for the Cleveland Browns. He is now an Ambassador for the NephCure Foundation.
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