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 Lt. Col. Bailey runs Nautica NYC Triathlon in honor of NS patient

Lt. Col. Brian Bailey has made the military his life since high school.  He has served two tours of duty in the Middle East and three in Korea.  As a distraction, he took up running and now participates in a wide range of marathons and triathlons.  He hopes to represent the United States at Worlds in 2012 in New Zealand.

When Bailey learned about NephCure's Nephlete program he seized the opportunity and signed on.  He will participate in the Nautica NYC Triathlon on August 7, 2011 and represent Dallas Choate, a 15 year-old Alabama girl who is suffering from the incurable kidney disease FSGS.

For Bailey, who as a combat veteran has seen his fair share of violence, this is a great opportunity to make a difference.

“I have spoken to Dallas and her family and am excited to be part of this great program for NephCure,” said Lt. Col. Bailey, who teaches geospatial information science at West Point and is team director for the West Point Triathlon Team.  “To be able to make a difference is a great honor that should not be taken lightly.”

Dallas, coincidently, also comes from a military family.  Her father, Don, is a retired Army aviator, having served 29 years. He now works for Navigator Development Group Inc.

Dallas is one of four children, Bristol (20), Stacey (18), and a married brother, Daniel (23).  Dallas and Stacey live with their mother, Loren. And although the parents are divorced, Dallas gets to see her father often as he lives nearby.

Dallas' kidney problems began in 2009 when she was 13 years old. A routine doctor’s visit showed an increased amount of protein in her urine; six months later she was diagnosed with FSGS.

Like many kidney disease patients, after she was diagnosed Dallas went through multiple medication changes. Additionally, she developed multiple kidney stones and has had several surgeries.  She is also showing early signs of a possible autoimmune disorder.

“I felt like I had no life outside of school and medical appointments,” said Dallas. “A lot of nights I barely had time to sleep. I really felt overwhelmed. Now that I’m home schooled, I’m not behind and school is fun again. I have more time to enjoy my life.”"

Dallas attends a daily Taekwondo class. It keeps her active and doesn’t stress her body like some other sports she’s tried.

“Taekwondo is the place I really make achievements every night,” said Dallas.

Although she has had a long chain of complications, Dallas is still motivated to help generate awareness about FSGS/Nephrotic Syndrome. She also thinks it’s cool that a soldier will be running in her honor.

“It was her dream to go into the Army, but I had to gently inform her that her kidney disease disqualified her,” said Loren. “She was crushed. She now has aspirations to become a nephrologist.”

Dallas' love for the Army and drive for an active life makes this pairing ideal.