"All-In For a Cure" - A Smash Success!

On May 24th 2007, the lobby of Glen Head Country Club in Glen Head, New York was filled with guests anxiously awaiting to be dealt the first hand in this “All in for a Cure” Texas Hold’em Tournament. Over 300 people enjoyed these festivities including a silent and live auction.

All in for a Cure was organized by Ross Levine and his family who were stunned by the turn out of support. Ross' nephew, Matthew, was diagnosed with FSGS at three years old. Matthew's father, Michael Levine describes FSGS as “a condition that has caused so much physical pain and emotional turmoil for Matthew and tens of thousands of young patients like him.”

The family's relentless efforts inspired many of their friends and families. The evening began at registration and many kindhearted contributions were made in honor of the Levine family.

The first hand was promptly dealt at 7:45 p.m. followed by a live auction which spurred many bids for the fabulous prizes, including tickets to baseball and basketball games, helicopter transportation to and from Manhattan to the famous Bayonne Golf Club in New Jersey.

The most popular item of the evening was the third base from Yankee stadium which was signed by Derek Jeter when he surpassed Joe DiMaggio’s record for franchise hits. Throughout the event, a silent auction of sports memorabilia proceeded in the outside room. The tournament concluded at one o’clock in the morning with eight winners.

The NephCure Foundation sincerely thanks Eric Siegel, Pete J. Pappas and Cliff Josephy for their generous contributions to the Foundation post tournament. In total, the event raised and estimated $250,000 which brings hope to the many patients afflicted by FSGS and Nephrotic Syndrome.