January Long Isand Lunch & Learn a Big Success

NephCure hosted its first 2011 free patient “lunch and learn” seminar on Sunday, January 30 in Long Island, NY at the Westbury Holiday Inn. Sixty-five patient families attended the event and listened to a variety of excellent presentations covering the medical science behind Nephrotic Syndrome and FSGS, current research efforts, nutrition, and chronic disease coping skills. Twelve of the patient families took advantage of the free childcare offered too.  

Dr. Howard Trachtman, Chief of Nephrology at Cohen Children’s Medical Center reviewed the pathology, diagnosis, and treatment options for both pediatric and adult Nephrotic Syndrome and FSGS. Dr. Kirk Campbell, an adult nephrologist from Mount Sinai School of Medicine shared the basics behind scientific research with a special focus on his area of specialty, genetics. Lauren Graf, a nutritionist the Children’s Hospital at Montefiore discussed the importance of good nutrition and tips for maintaining a low sodium diet. Finally, Dorothy Mangini, a social worker with the Dominican Sisters Family Home Health Service, talked about both confronting and coping with Nephrotic Syndrome and FSGS.

Importantly, our 65 patient families had a chance to meet and mingle with each other at the end, and have some informal Q&A time with our speakers.

In addition to this “Lunch and Learn” event, Catherine Lepone, NephCure’s New York Regional Coordinator, is working hard to facilitate many other patient family activities for 2011. These include a NephCure group outing to cheer on Ambassador Dawn Evans her JMU Women’s Basketball Team plays Hofstra University on February 27, NephCure “Walks” planned for Connecticut, Long Island, Yorktown Heights, and New York City, and the “All in for the Cure” Fundraiser schedule for May 27 at the Glen Head Country Club. For these and other New York sponsored events, please contact Catherine at 914-761-8083 (office) or 323-240-7883 (cell).