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NephCure Launches National Coalition to Advocate for Policy Solutions that Revolutionize Rare Kidney Disease Care & Improve Patient Outcomes 

We deserve better - New Era Act in Rare Kidney Disease Care - Advocacy

Philadelphia, PA, June 12, 2024 – NephCure, a leading national patient advocacy organization dedicated to accelerating research and finding better treatments for rare kidney diseases, today announced the launch of the New Era Coalition, a first-of-its-kind initiative uniting diverse communities to transform the landscape of research, treatment, and care for rare kidney diseases (RKD). The New Era Coalition brings together patient advocacy groups, medical experts, academic leaders, industry, and other key stakeholders to advance policy and regulatory solutions that move kidney care upstream. The New Era Coalition will advocate for federal and state policies that work to improve outcomes for RKD patients, including the New Era of Preventing End-Stage Kidney Disease Act, H.R. 6790 (“New Era Act”).

“We are proud to spearhead the formation of the New Era Coalition and unite communities to revolutionize rare kidney disease care, improve patient outcomes, and pave the way for a better future for those affected by these diseases,” said Britta Dornan, NephCure Executive Director of Strategic Relations. “For too long, rare kidney disease patients and caregivers have felt powerless and alone, but together we can effect real change. The time has come for policymakers in Washington and states to listen and take decisive action to improve treatment and care for rare kidney disease communities, including by passing the New Era Act this year.” 

More than a dozen influential organizations and patient advocates have joined as New Era Coalition inaugural members to champion policy and advocacy solutions for the RKD community. Alongside NephCure, New Era Coalition members include patient advocates Mary Baliker, Seferiana Day, and Imani Mintz and organizations including the Alport Syndrome Foundation, American Kidney Fund, American Society of Nephrology, Black Women’s Health Imperative, Chronic Disease Coalition, IgA Nephropathy Foundation, International Society of Glomerular Disease, National Kidney Foundation, National Minority Quality Forum, Northwest Kidney Council, and the Rare Disease Diversity Coalition. New Era Coalition advisory members include Arkana Laboratories, Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation, Otsuka America Pharmaceutical Inc., Travere Therapeutics, and Vertex Pharmaceuticals.

During the 118th Congress, the New Era Coalition will pursue robust efforts to ensure the passage of the New Era Act. Introduced by Representatives Gus Bilirakis (R-FL) and Terri Sewell (D-AL), the New Era Act stems from the community insights gained in 2020 by NephCure and partner organizations from the ‘We Deserve Better: Revolutionizing Rare Kidney Disease Roundtable’ and its resulting white paper.This legislation aims to help people with RKD by finding and treating diseases earlier, enhancing patient and provider education, and conducting more research. The New Era Act would lessen the impact of RKD on people’s lives and reduce costs for patients and the health care system in the long run.

About the New Era Coalition

The New Era Coalition brings together patient advocacy groups, medical experts, academic leaders, industry, and other key stakeholders, to transform the landscape of research, treatment, and care for rare kidney diseases (RKD).

About NephCure

NephCure’s mission is to empower people with rare, protein-spilling kidney disease to take charge of their health, while leading the revolution in research, new treatments, and care. Founded in 2000 by a group of committed patient parents, NephCure has invested more than $40 million in kidney disease research and helped create a landscape where there are now new treatments and more than 60 interventional drug trials for rare kidney diseases. NephCure is a U.S. tax exempt 501(c)(3) public charity.

NephCure Patient & Youth Summit 2024 Unites Rare Kidney Disease Community in San Antonio

The 2024 NephCure Patient Summit and Youth Summit brought together an enthusiastic and powerful assembly of the rare kidney disease (RKD) community, setting a tone of unity and progress. This year’s event took place in San Antonio, Texas, from May 9th – May 11th. The Patient Summit brought together 255 attendees (139 first-time attendees), ranging from patients, caregivers, industry partners, specialists, and more.  

Over the course of the three-day event, our community learned about the significant advancements in the rare kidney disease space, created an environment of support and highlighted the continued need to ensure innovations benefit all patients. 

The Patient Summit kicked off on Thursday with great enthusiasm. NephCure’s Chief Executive Officer, Josh Tarnoff, welcomed attendees with an engaging opening session. The session began with an update on NephCure’s recent activities and outlined the organization’s priorities for the rare kidney disease community. The atmosphere was vibrant, fostering new friendships and strengthening existing bonds within the community. 

Friday, the first full day of the 2024 NephCure Patient Summit, began with an opening session that set the stage for an informative and inspiring event. NephCure’s board president, Michael Levine, welcomed attendees and introduced the Summit theme, leading into the following sessions. 

The importance of a collaborative patient-provider relationship was highlighted in a session led by Dr. Sreedhar Mandayam. He presented “a day in the life” of a nephrologist, emphasizing the role of activated patients in their care. The discussion underscored how patient empowerment is vital in keeping pace with innovations in the rare kidney disease space. 

Attendees participated in physician-led breakout sessions. The sessions explored topics such as RKD Clinical trials, innovations in transplants and the importance of genetic testing.  

In between attending physician-led breakout sessions, there were two panel sessions. The first was a patient and healthcare provider panel about improving patient outcomes through effective patient-provider relationships. The second panel, “Turning Adversity into Action”, featured patients and Texas Sen. Kelly Hancock. This session focused on the power of grassroots activism and government advocacy. The session aimed to inspire attendees to embrace advocacy as a powerful tool for driving change in the RKD community. 

The final day of the 2024 Patient Summit, Saturday, emphasized the importance of strengthening connections within the community. Patients did everything from attending support groups to learning about art therapy and kidney-healthy cooking.  

In the afternoon, key-note speaker, Allison Massari, shared her profound insights on developing a resilience mindset. Drawing from her personal journey of recovery as a burn survivor, she highlighted the essential qualities needed to remain vibrant, alive, and in control of one’s life, even in the face of adversity. 

As the 2024 NephCure Patient Summit concluded, various NephCure staff members discussed upcoming opportunities and programs created by NephCure, providing valuable information on how to stay connected after the Summit. This final gathering offered a sense of community and continuity, ensuring participants felt supported and informed as they returned to their individual lives. 

The 2024 NephCure Patient Summit underscored the importance of community activation, with a shared commitment to ensuring that all rare kidney disease patients benefit from ongoing innovations. Participants left the event inspired and equipped to continue the momentum toward improved access and care. Thank you to everyone who joined and contributed to this significant gathering. 

The Summit’s success was made possible through the generous support of sponsors and the speakers who dedicated their time and expertise to enrich the event. Their contributions were vital in making the Summit an impactful and life-altering experience for all attendees. 

Sponsors

Introducing a New Destination for the Rare Kidney Disease Community

PHILADELPHIA, May 6, 2024 — NephCure, a leading nonprofit organization dedicated to finding better treatment options and a cure for rare kidney disease, proudly announces the launch of its new website, NephCure.org. The revamped online platform serves as a pivotal hub of information and home for all individuals and families affected by rare, protein-spilling kidney diseases.

With more than 20 years of dedication to the entire rare kidney disease (RKD) community, NephCure has meticulously crafted the new NephCure.org to serve as a comprehensive and user-friendly destination. This updated website moves the organization another step closer to achieving its vision: to build a world where everyone with rare kidney disease has access to new and better treatments, and one day a cure.

“This website represents a significant step forward in our ongoing efforts to empower and support individuals and families affected by RKD. We believe that by providing a centralized platform for vital current information and resources, including our unique matching tools to connect with expert physicians and clinical trials, as well as community engagement, we can drive continued impact and developments within the RKD space,” NephCure CEO Josh Tarnoff said.

The new NephCure.org offers a variety of helpful features and functionalities tailored to meet the diverse needs of the entire RKD community:

The launch of the updated NephCure.org comes at a pivotal time when advancements in research and treatment options for rare, protein-spilling kidney disease are rapidly evolving. By providing this comprehensive online resource, NephCure aims to promote continued research, accessibility to support and information, and ultimately aid in finding better treatments and a cure for everyone affected by RKD.

For more information about NephCure and to explore the new website for yourself, please visit NephCure.org.

About NephCure:

NephCure’s mission is to empower people with rare, protein-spilling kidney disease to take charge of their health, while leading the revolution in research, new treatments, and care. Founded in 2000 by a group of committed patient parents, NephCure has invested more than $40 million in kidney disease research and helped create a landscape where there are now new treatments and more than 60 interventional drug trials for rare kidney diseases. NephCure is a U.S. tax exempt 501(c)(3) public charity.