NephCure Archives

Los Angeles Walk a Huge Success!

Over 400 SoCal residents came out on a picture perfect January day – the type you only see in Southern California in January – to celebrate the work of NephCure Kidney International at the 6th Annual NKI Los Angeles Walk, Brunch & Learn.

This incredible event was organized and chaired by Los Angeles Attorney Sarretta McDonough of Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP and her wonderful volunteer committee that included Janet Hasson, Genneia James, Peter Daenzer and Rich Griswold. As with the past five years, this event was a true labor of love for this group and the dozens of volunteers who also dedicated their personal time on a Sunday to support NKI. With everything from an incredible Kid’s Zone with face painting, games, a photo booth and even a visit from a bonafide “Minion” (courtesy of NBC/Universal), to a delicious brunch and post-Walk educational Lunch and Learn presentation by nephrologists from three of the largest hospitals in the Los Angeles area, this event offered something for the whole family.

Beyond that, the warmth and camaraderie created a welcoming atmosphere for everyone to feel that they were part of a strong, incredible community effort to fight these conditions and a welcome reprieve from the isolation that living with Nephrotic Syndrome/FSGS can often bring. The Annenberg Beach House in Santa Monica provided the perfect venue for the Walk, family activities, lively silent auction, and of course the important Lunch and Learn with Drs. Elaine Kamil (Cedars Sinai), Kevin Lemley (USC/Children’s Hospital LA) and Sergio Infante (Loma Linda), who generously extended the question and answer session until every single person had been heard. With well over $76,000 raised and more funds coming in every day, this event was truly a success for NephCure’s important mission to fund new treatments and find the cure!

Share this

Partnering For Cures Conference Stimulates Innovation

In mid-November, Mark Stone, NephCure Kidney International Acting CEO, attended the sixth annual Partnering For Cures Conference in New York City. The Partnering For Cures Conference is a patient-focused event that brings together leaders from all sectors of medical research to foster collaboration – collaboration that will lead to medical discoveries, and, ultimately, treatments and cures.

Partnering For Cures is hosted by FasterCures, a Washington, DC-based center of the Milken Institute. FasterCures hosts the conference each year to convene groups like NephCure to identify partnership opportunities and advance outcomes-driven medical research. At the core of Partnering For Cures is the idea that the cultivation of cross-sector relationships will lead to collaborative efforts necessary for the development of new therapies.

This year’s conference focused on the importance of patient-reported data and how determined patients are improving and accelerating the search for cures. “Patient empowerment is at the heart of what we do at NephCure,” says Mark Stone. “Conferences like Partnering For Cures help groups like NephCure influence research innovations and remind us of the most important aspect of our research – our patients.”

Share this

Seeking Volunteers for NEW Clinical Trials Ambassador Program

Have you ever participated in a clinical research study? Are you willing to share your experience with others? If so, then you would make a fantastic addition to our newest initiative to find better treatments and a cure for Nephrotic Syndrome: the Clinical Trials Ambassador Program! NKI is seeking volunteers from across the country to act as Ambassadors to other patients and the medical community. Ambassadors will spread knowledge and information about the importance of clinical research in the search for better treatment options and a cure.

Ambassadors can expect to spend between 5 and 10 hours a month volunteering in various ways that will help spread awareness and knowledge about clinical research. If you are interested in learning more about the Clinical Trials Ambassador Program, contact Chelsey Fix at cfix@nephcure.org.

Share this

NEW!! Clinical Studies Map!

NephCure Kidney International Introduces Clinical Research Map

October 14, 2014

We are excited to introduce a new user-friendly, interactive clinical research map. This map includes current clinical research sites and studies available to patients affected by FSGS and other Nephrotic Syndrome diseases. The map, which can be found here, will help patients sort through studies available to them. Categories include studies specific to adults, pediatrics, Nephrotic Syndrome, and FSGS, to name a few.

“Patient participation is key to advancing research and treatment options available to patients,” says Marilyn Hailperin, the National Director of Research at NephCure. “This site map allows patients to view studies underway in their area.”

This map is another way NephCure is living out our mission to support research seeking the causes of Nephrotic Syndrome diseases, to improve current treatments and, ultimately, to find a cure. Here at NephCure, we value the supportive role we play for our patients. Spreading the word about clinical research to our patients is a crucial aspect of this role, because, after all, patients power research!

Link to the map: here.

For more information about the risks and benefits of participating in clinical research, click here.

Share this

NephCure Kidney International Announces NKN Steering Committee Co-Chairs

We are pleased to share that Kathleen Broderick and Randall Snyder were recommended and have accepted their nominations as Steering Committee Co-Chairs for the NephCure Kidney Network (NKN). Kathleen was considered a strong candidate due to her dual experience as a patient caregiver as well as a patient advocacy representative. Similarly, Randy’s dual perspective as a patient caregiver and clinical provider give him unique insight relevant to the NKN.

Kathleen is a member of the NephCure Board of Directors and Research Committee and an editor at DeGruyter Publishing, a Science, Technology, and Medicine (STM) publisher of professional books and scholarly journals in Boston, Massachusetts. Additionally, Kathleen cares for her 16-year-old son, who was diagnosed with Nephrotic Syndrome at 20 months.

Randy is an interventional radiologist with his master’s in molecular biology living in Medford, New Jersey, who cares for his son who was diagnosed with focal segmental glomerulosclerosis.

Kathleen and Randy will be facilitating Steering Committee calls and communication moving forward. Please join us in welcoming Kathleen and Randy as the inaugural NKN Steering Committee Co-Chairs!

Share this

NephCure Kidney International Introduces Clinical Research Map

Our Mission

Find Us On