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NYC Marathon Has Special Meaning For This Nephlete

Frances Velez, a wife and a mother of two, is an avid runner with a winning attitude. And, oh yeah, she has kidney disease.

Despite everything going on in her life, Velez is currently training for the upcoming ING New York City Marathon, which takes place on Sunday, November 6, 2011. This world-famous 26.2-mile race draws more than 100,000 applicants every year and Frances has been accepted to run the race for her third time.

This year, as a NephCure Foundation Nephlete, she is running with a very strong sense of purpose:  to bring awareness to the fight against the kidney disease Focal Segmental Glomerulosclerosis (FSGS).  Nephletes are a special group of athletes who take part in marathons, triathlons and bike rides. They not only challenge themselves, they challenge others and fundraise for NephCure on behalf of a patient or themselves.

Inspired by her first New York City Marathon in 2008, Frances was determined to run again the following year. While training for the 2009 edition, she knew that her body was not functioning normally. She initially noticed joint pains and the swelling of her ankles. In January 2010, Frances was diagnosed with C1q Nephropathy, a type of FSGS.

Frances has undergone two separate six-month treatments of prednisone and cyclosporine that were not very effective.  She is now on her third and more successful on-going treatment, this time with Cellcept.

“I do get