For Collegian Nick Hovan, FSGS Is One More Weight to Throw Off

"My name is Nicholas Hovan and this past summer, after about a year of tests, I was diagnosed with FSGS at the age of 20. That tells you a little about me, but not much.

That’s because I am much more than FSGS.

As a junior at Bucknell University in Lewisburg, PA, I am determined to not let this disease slow me down or get me depressed. I pursue a double major (management and English) and I’m a member of the Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity.

I had plans to go abroad to England for the spring semester and those plans have not changed. I still lift weights and run every day and, due to my changed diet, I am in some of the best health of my life. My strategy is to deal with this adversity, this FSGS, and fight through it.

Thankfully, I am not alone in the fight. My family, friends, and fraternity have all contributed to making my life seem completely normal.

I told my friends about the FSGS because I thought they should know, but I really didn’t want special treatment. I know some people with the disease struggle, so I realize my good fortune in saying that this school year seems not much different from the year before.

I still party, still eat with everyone in the fraternity because our chef lowered the sodium in our meals, and I am still getting the same great grades. Sports and lifting weights are some of the most important things in the world to me because they clear my mind and relieve stress. The fact that I can still participate in all my activities has lessoned the burden of having FSGS.

I know that my fight eventually will become harder and my kidneys may become worse, but at this moment, I plan to live my life to the fullest. I still plan on graduating and getting a job in the financial field. After that, I want to pursue my MBA.

The support from friends and family mean so much, which is why I decided to ask my fraternity to donate all our philanthropy to the NephCure Foundation.

There was no debate on the issue. Moreover, I do believe that even after I graduate Lambda Chi Alpha will continue to give to NephCure.