NephCure chapter begins in region

Herald News, IL: February 18, 2007.

Last January a few area families started the Chicagoland Chapter of The NephCure Foundation.

NephCure is the only organization solely dedicated to finding a cause and cure for Nephrotic Syndrome and Focal Segmental Glomerulosclerosis, two potentially devastating kidney conditions.

These conditions, which affect the filtering parts of the kidneys, cause protein to be spilled in urine and swelling in parts of the body. As a result, people may experience low protein in the blood, high blood pressure and high cholesterol.

Scarring of the kidneys can become severe as to affect the ability of the body to get rid of waste products in the blood requiring dialysis or a kidney transplant. However, in some patients the condition comes back to affect the donated kidney.

On Oct. 15, local resident Sue Rogers -- whose 4½-year-old son was diagnosed with Focal Segmental Glomerulosclerosis 2½ years ago -- organized the Take A Step Forward fund-raising walk. The walk was held at Hammel Woods in Shorewood. More than 120 people participated, and the event raised more than $19,000 for The NephCure Foundation.

A seminar was offered last October in Chicago to help educate patients and families on research and treatments.

Through local chapters, the group is hoping to continue to bring about public awareness about the two kidney conditions and to raise money for further research.

To learn more about these kidney conditions and The NephCure Foundation, and to find information about upcoming fund-raisers, please visit www.nephcure.org.

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To read more about the efforts of this dedicated group of patients, their families and friends, click here.

If you would like to become involved, please contact info@nephcure.org or call 1 (866) NephCure.