Nephrotic Syndrome, FSGS, Kidney Disease
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Nephrotic Syndrome FSGS MCD
       
  Alonzo Morning Alonzo Mourning, a seven-time NBA All-Star, played 12 games for the New Jersey Nets in the 2003-04 season before FSGS forced his retirement on November 25, 2003. Some three weeks later, he underwent a transplant in which he received a kidney donated by his cousin. “Zo” will participate in the Nets’ 2004-05 training camp as he attempts to revive his pro basketball career while spreading the word about FSGS and its devastating effects and serving as a role model for those who share his illness.  
  Jesse Jackson Jr. Jesse Jackson Jr. is a member of the House of Representatives, for the second
congressional district of Illinois, and is currently on the House Appropriations Committee. Jackson also works on the subcommittee for labor, health, human services, and education as well as the subcommittee for Foreign Operations, Export Financing and Related Programs. Jesse Jackson Jr. led the creation of the National Center on Minority Health and Health Disparities at the National Institute of Health. Jackson Jr. is known for his good manners, decorum and propriety along with the 		 
  millions of Federal Grant Awards that he has secured, mainly concerning health, scholarships, and school programs. In 2004 Jesse Jackson Jr. became an Ambassador of the NephCure Foundation after previously residing over Public Witness Hearings involving the NephCure Foundation which was advocating for funding for research.  
  Ed Hearn Ed Hearn is a member of the 1986 World Champion NY Mets. Upon being traded to the Kansas City Royals he sustained a career-ending shoulder injury. He soon discovered he had FSGS, which has forced him to undergo three kidney transplants. Hearn is the author of Conquering Life’s Curves and is the only professional athlete to  
  be a Certified Speaking Professional. Hearn has served NephCure as an Ambassador by testifying before Congress and the Appropriations Committee in April 2004 urging them to dedicate more funding to NIH and glomerular disease research. Hearn visits pediatric nephrology patients in hospitals and dialysis centers to spread smiles and hope. He also contributes by donating a portion of the revenue from his speaking engagements to NephCure and he will be speaking at the Elpis Awards to honor his own kidney donors and celebrate kidney donation.  
  Jim Gerlach Jim Gerlach is a United States Congressman representing the 6th district of Pennsylvania. He has spent the last 15 years in public service representing the citizens of Southeastern Pennsylvania. Mr. Gerlach’s initiatives include access to affordable healthcare, preserving the region’s environmental resources, and improving and maintaining the area’s transportation network. He is also proud to have helped secure Pennsylvania seniors a prescription drug benefit through Medicare that will provide 13.2 million of the nation’s poorest seniors with free medications, while  
  giving all seniors access to significant prescription drug assistance. Mr. Gerlach is currently serving his third term in the U.S. House of Representatives, first winning the open 6th Congressional District seat in 2002.  
  Gaylon Hyder Gaylon Hyder, a former standout defensive tackle for Texas Christian University, was a promising player in the National Football League (NFL) before his career was cut short by injury problems with his back. Hyder, born in Longview, TX, was an accomplished football player for Longview (TX) High School, where he was honored as the defensive player of the year in Texas and East Texas in consecutive seasons in his junior and senior year. His standout play earned him a scholarship to Texas Christian University. His NFL opportunity came when he was drafted by Coach Dick  
  Vermeil and the St. Louis Rams in 1999. He played four games for the Rams that season and five in the 2000 Super Bowl Championship year but was hampered by lower back pain throughout. Shortly after the 2000 season, Hyder was traded to the Cleveland Browns and later signed with the Oakland Raiders but was unable to overcome his physical ailments and retired from the NFL. Now 35, Hyder suffers from Focal Segmental Glumeruloscleros (FSGS) and is considering undergoing a kidney transplant in an effort to recapture his health.  
  Rebecca Budig Rebecca Budig is a two-time Emmy nominee, Soap Opera Digest Award winner and star of ABC’s All My Children. Rebecca graduated from the Cincinnati School of the
Performing Arts and went on to major in zoology at Ohio's Miami University. She moved to Los Angeles in 1993 to pursue her acting career. While appearing on All My Children, Budig also served as occasional co-host for ABC’s The View. She is married to television personality and former The Bachelor star Bob Guiney. In 2008, she hosted NephCure’s Countdown to a Cure event at Terrace on the Park in Flushing Meadows, NY. With Rebecca’s help, Countdown was a huge success, generating more than $500,000 in donations. 		 
  Herschel Walker Herschel Walker is a former NFL and University of Georgia Star. While attending the
University of Georgia, Walker set an NCAA freshman rushing record and helped capture the national collegiate football title. Walker joined the Dallas Cowboys in 1986, where he led the entire NFL in rushing and earned All-Pro honors. Walker moved to the Minnesota Vikings as starting running back in 1989. In 1992, he joined the Philadelphia Eagles football team, but returned to the Dallas Cowboys in 1996. He 		 
  retired from the NFL in 1997. On May 12, 2008, Walker participated in the 6th Annual Jet Food Stores Charity Golf Tournament to benefit The NephCure Foundation. With Walker’s help, Jet Food Stores was able to raise over $30,000 for kidney disease research. Walker has since renewed is commitment to the event.  
  David Ragan

David Ragan began his racing career in 1997 at the age of 11, when he participated in the Bandolero Series.  Now, an accomplished NASCAR driver, David has raced in several series, including select Craftsman Truck and Busch Series, the Sprint Cup Series and the NASCAR Nationwide Series.  Among his accomplishments, David was named the 2007 NASCAR Busch Series Rookie of the Year and achieved seven top-10 finishes in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, 30 top-10 finishes in the NASCAR Nationwide Series and eight top-10 finishes in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series.  Ragan also finished fifth in the 2007 Daytona 500 and third place in the 2007

 
  Chevy Rock and Roll 400.  David captured his first NASCAR competition win at Talladega Superspeedway with the No. 6 Discount Tire team on April 25, 2009.  After starting out in 14th position, Ragan battled his way into first place and crossed the finish line just .03 seconds ahead of Ryan Newman.  On April 27, David participated in the 7th Annual Jet Food Stores Celebrity Golf Tournament to benefit The NephCure Foundation.