How Can I Get Involved?

Become a Member
Members have access to free copies of all NephCure publications and articles, email news and updates, invitations to educational seminars and special events, the latest information on research and medical news, alerts and updates about legislative action, access to a growing network of NephCure families and physicians and participation in a local chapter or the opportunity to start one. Plus, your membership donation will be matched because of our partnership with the NIDDK and will go toward research. To learn more about membership, click here.

Participate in the "Letters for Life" Initiative

Letter writing campaigns are among the most efficient ways to fundraise. The time and cost you will spend are minimal, while the rewards are vast! You have the opportunity to increase the awareness of FSGS and Nephrotic Syndrome while sharing with your friends and colleagues the importance of NephCure’s research for you. Personal connections are vital in successful letter campaigns. Your friends and acquaintances will give because you asked for their help in understanding FSGS and Nephrotic Syndrome and finding a cure. Click here to read letters from current volunteers and to learn how you can become involved.

Become Involved in a Local Chapter
Local chapters are developing in New York, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Maryland, Michigan, South Carolina, North Carolina, Virginia, Georgia, Connecticut and Oregon. Chapters provide a forum for sharing experience and support among members, provide access to local nephrology professionals and provide a way to stay informed of studies, research and progress. Chapters can help raise funds by coordinating fundraising events, and more. If there is not a chapter in your area, we will be happy to provide you with the materials and all necessary help to start a local chapter. For more information about chapters, click here. 

Distribute NephCure Materials to Local Nephrology Professionals
As a young organization, one of NephCure's greatest challenges is in getting our message out to patients, their families and nephrology professionals. NephCure has much to offer patients and their families as well as to the nephrology community and we need the help of patient families in passing information along to medical professionals and other patients and families. For more information about distributing materials, email info@nephcure.org. 

Write to Your Local Government Representatives
Members of the House and Senate have been elected to represent the residents of their districts and it is important for constituents to tell their legislators how an issue affects the lives of the people they represent. You can reach your congressional representative by sending them a letter. Congress most often responds positively to personal stories and requests. In the opening paragraph, clearly identify the issue and purpose of the letter. In the following paragraphs, explain why you are asking the legislator to take specified action, how it impacts the community and any personal stories. The more support for your arguments, the better. Then, ask your legislator for a response in which his/her action is stated. To find your local elected officials, go to www.congress.org and enter your zip code. Joining in this effort is an opportunity for concerned individuals to unite as one voice and take an active role in shaping public policy by educating members of Congress about Nephrotic Syndrome and FSGS, encouraging additional research funding that will help find the cause and cure, receiving legislative action alerts and learning what is happening in Congress. For a sample letter and to learn more about writing to Congress, click here. 

Place Cell Phone/Printer Cartridge Donation Boxes
It is estimated that there are 30 million cell phones lying idle across the country. NephCure has teamed with ReCellular to collect used cell phones and printer cartridges, which will be refurbished and resold as economical alternatives to new cell phones or recycled according to EPA guidelines. For every cell phone or printer cartridge that is resold, ReCellular will donate a portion of the proceeds to NephCure. We have already started to benefit from this program, but need your help in placing donation boxes in local retailers, houses of worship, office buildings, etc. For more information about the phone donation program or to volunteer, email info@nephcure.org.

Donate Your Vehicle
If you have a car, truck, boat, motorcycle or RV that you are thinking about selling or trading in, you can donate it to NephCure! You may receive the fair market value as a tax-deductible donation and our partner, an experienced and reputable car donation program, will make all the arrangements to pick up your car and transfer the title. To learn more about vehicle donation, click here. 

Turn Your Hobby into a Fundraiser
Many friends of NephCure have turned their hobbies into successful fundraisers. Brian Orton of Seattle , WA is a motorcycle enthusiast who raised approximately $12,000 from his first annual motorcycle endurance event, the Seattle 100. Jay DeSanto, a 16 year old Nephrotic Syndrome patient and all-star tennis player, raised over $2,000 in his first annual Scranton Tennis Tournament. Brad Stewart raised over $6,500 in his first annual Spin to Win disc golf event. Lauri Jean Crowe, leader of the Michigan chapter, is working with artisans across the country to make 100 polymer clay Angel Art Dolls that will be sold on eBay with proceeds benefiting NephCure. Do you have a hobby that could make a good fundraiser? If so, email info@nephcure.org! To learn more about fundraisers and other events, click here. 

Share Your Personal Story
If you've been to our website, chances are that you've come across the personal stories. These stories have offered support, information and hope to many patients and their loved ones. We would love to share your personal story with others. For more information, email info@nephcure.org. To read the personal stories, click here. 

Write an Article for the Newsletter or Website
If you are interested in exercising your writing skills by writing for our newsletter or website, we would welcome the perspective of a patient, family member or medical professional! For more information, email info@nephcure.org. To read our newsletter, NephCure Now!, click here. 

Shop!
There are two ways in which you can raise funds for NephCure while doing your online shopping. One is through www.BuyforCharity.com , which has over 200 popular online retailers that will donate up to 35% of your purchase to NephCure. When you're ready to shop, log on to the Buy for Charity website and choose NephCure as your cause. Also, eBay users can now buy and sell through eBay's Giving Works program in which sellers can choose NephCure as their cause and donate 10 to 100 percent of their sales proceeds to NephCure. To register for free as an eBay Giving Works seller, click here . eBay shoppers can help by purchasing products that will benefit The NephCure Foundation. To start shopping in support of NephCure, click here . For more information, click here.