SKYDIVING NJ GRANDFATHER SEEKS THRILL OF FINDING GRANDSON’S KIDNEY CURE
61 year-old Ringwood resident eyes 2nd annual jump
to aid NephCure Foundation in “Dive for Derek”
Ringwood, NJ—(May 08, 2008) – Devoted grandfather Tom Mills of Ringwood will tandem skydive for the second time this September in an effort to raise money to and awareness in the fight against the kidney disease affliction affecting his teenage grandson.
The 61 year-old retired Glen Rock, NJ, schools custodian has scheduled the jump for Saturday, September 6 at 11 a.m. at Sussex County Airport.
His first-ever jump took place one year earlier, September 8, 2007 when he raised $6,900 from friends, family and local businesses and donated it to The Nephcure Foundation (www.nephcure.org) in the name of his 14 year-old grandson, Derek. Derek was diagnosed with Nephrotic Syndrome at the age of five and his courage in coping with the disease inspired Mills.
“There may be a little dare devil in me, but I’ve never been much of a thrill- seeker,” said Mills, who solicited the financial support with the help of his wife, Sue. “We got such amazing support last year, so I’m going to give it another go. Jumping out of an airplane is easy compared to what Derek and these Nephrotic Syndrome sufferers have to go through.”
Mills has named the event “Dive for Derek” www.active.com/donate/DiveNephCure and all donations will go directly toward research into Nephrotic Syndrome and Focal Segmental Glomerulosclerosis (FSGS), two debilitating kidney conditions.
“Crazy draws attention,” continued Mills in reference to how he came up with the idea to jump out of an airplane. “Last year, I said it would be my first and last jump. I guess two jumps is crazier than one. No promises about next year.”
Mills will be soliciting pledges and donations from friends, family, local businesses, regional corporations and celebrities. Last year, award-winning actress Vanessa Redgrave was among the donors.
He is also working to draw attention to The Nephcure Foundation, which has a unique challenge in identifying patient families. Privacy laws preclude doctors from providing information and because kidney diseases are invisible, people tend to struggle with them silently. Interested parties can donate or receive further information at www.nephcure.org or by calling Miriam Long at 610 540 0184 x10.
Nephrotic Syndrome and FSGS are conditions that affect the tiny filtering mechanisms in the kidney. The result is that beneficial protein is spilled from the kidney into the urine and lost. Over time this condition can result in renal failure and the need for dialysis or a kidney transplant. The cause for Nephrotic Syndrome and FSGS is not known and there is no cure.
The NephCure Foundation is the only organization solely committed to seeking a cause and cure for Nephrotic Syndrome and FSGS. Comprised of patients, their families and friends, researchers, physicians and other healthcare professionals, Nephcure aims to help science unlock the biological mechanisms that cause these serious conditions and ultimately find a way to cure and prevent them.
Donations for “Dive for Derek” can be made by visiting www.active.com/donate/DiveNephCure
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