Keagan's Story

When you are 6 year old boy, the hardest decision you should have to make is one cookie or two with your glass of milk; for Keagan Turrubiates things will never be that simple.  He has to monitor exactly what he eats, not consuming more than 1500mg of sodium each day or any more than his strict allocation of fluids.  All because of the degenerative kidney disease Nephrotic Syndrome he was diagnosed with in November 2007.  This disease has left him so swollen at points he can not even tie his own shoes. This swelling occurred because of the break down of nephrons in his kidneys which regulate the protein and water balance in the body.  Because no cure exists for this disease Keagan has been put on a pill regime which includes high doses of the steroid prednisone, side effects that include severe mood swings, hyper-activity, increased appetite and a lowered immune system.  He also takes Zantax to aid in the agonizing stomach pains that are a result of the medication.  Keagan is currently in “remission” and being weaned off the steroids but anything from a missed pill, to a virus could cause him to relapse and perhaps advance the disease to the point where he would need dialysis and an eventual transplant.  Nephrotic Syndrome is a devastating disease that most often occurs in children around the age of 6.  There is no known cure or cause.  But Keagan’s family and the NephCure Foundation are fighting to change that.  Two events have taken place in Keagan’s hometown of Waupaca WI to raise funds and awareness for Nephrotic Syndrome. 

Friday, May 2 - Karaoke for a Kure
The Club Room Lounge @ Best Western Grand Seasons
$15 per person/$25 per couple = FREE Light Snacks w/Refreshments
7:00pm Kick-off with Silent Auction
Karaoke from 9:00pm - 1:00am w/Free Will Offering on Stage

Saturday, May 3 - NephCure Step Forward Walkathon/Family Carnival/Silent Auction
South Park - Upper Shelter
10:00 Walk on the WauKing Trail leaving from South Park
Silent Auction 9:00 - 2:00
Family Carnival 11:00 - 3:00
Breakfast & Lunch Concessions

THANK YOU to everyone who came out to support Keagan and The NephCure Foudnation. Additional thanks goes to all the volunteers who helped organize the event and to all the sponsors for their kind donations.

CORPORATE SPONSOR
A cash or in-kind donation with a value of $500 or more will receive:
- Your name on all printed materials & any related direct-marketing efforts
- A "Trail Sign" along the WauKing Trail during the walk event

EVENT SPONSOR
A cash or in-kind donation with a value of $150 - $499 will receive:
- A "Trail Sign" along the WauKing Trail during the walk event

OTHER IN-KIND DONATIONS with a value of up to $149 will receive:
- Signage will be placed next to the item donated.

No child should be forced to endure the hardships of a degenerative disease and through your support of The NephCure Foundation and Keagan’s family’s efforts you can give Keagan and countless other children a happy ending to a hard story that starts too young.