NephCure Kidney International hosted 17th annual New York City countdown to a cure event supporting kidney disease patients : Proceeds will help fund research to find a cure for patients in New York and beyond
NephCure Kidney International, a nonprofit focused on finding better treatments for patients suffering from rare and chronic kidney diseases like Focal Segmental Glomerulosclerosis and Nephrotic Syndrome, hosted its 17th annual New York City Countdown to a Cure event on Thursday, Nov. 11 at Pier Sixty, Chelsea Piers, raising over $600,000 for rare kidney disease research. This exciting fundraising event featured dinner, dancing, live and silent auctions, and opportunities to network with the area’s top professionals and connect with local patients and families.
NephCure was proud to honor Irving Smokler, Ph.D., with NephCure’s Global Visionary Award for more than 20 years of unparalleled leadership, dedication to patient families and expanding the bounds of knowledge for rare kidney disease research. A patient parent and co-founder of NephCure, Smokler steered the organization into becoming a research-focused patient advocacy group, gaining the support of key government leaders. He helped lead the formation of multiple long-term observational studies that have provided critical research insights, while also working to ensure NephCure was a space for patients and their families to connect with and support one another.
NephCure was also excited to celebrate Frederick Kaskel, M.D., Ph.D., as the 2021 Medical Honoree. An internationally-recognized clinical investigator and educator in pediatric nephrology, Dr. Kaskel has dedicated his career to serving rare kidney disease patients. His current focus is on training the next generation of pediatric nephrologists while providing the most current expertise in care of children with kidney disorders.
Travere Therapeutics was featured as NephCure’s 2021 Corporate Partner Honoree, recognizing their dedication to developing new and better treatments for rare kidney disease patients, and their support of the rare disease community. Travere is focused on advancing ongoing clinical trials for a potential new treatment option for FSGS and IgA nephropathy, and the company has served as a committed advocate for NephCure’s mission for close to a decade.
“I want to extend my deepest gratitude to everyone who supported Countdown to a Cure this year. It was truly one to remember,” said Michael Levine, NephCure Board President and a Nephrotic Syndrome patient parent. “My mission has always been to help find a cure for my son and all the other warriors battling FSGS, Nephrotic Syndrome and other rare, progressive kidney diseases. Because of your support, we are closer than ever to achieving this critical goal.”
Nephrotic Syndrome is an umbrella term for a group of rare, protein-spilling kidney diseases that currently have no cure or even targeted treatments. With the help of NephCure-funded research, there are now more than 30 new potential treatment options being tested in clinical trials. All proceeds from Countdown to a Cure New York will go toward NephCure’s mission of further advancing this research and helping the patients and families impacted by these rare diseases.
About NephCure Kidney International
NephCure Kidney International’s mission is to accelerate research for effective treatments for rare forms of Nephrotic Syndrome, and to provide education and support that will improve the lives of those affected by these protein-spilling kidney diseases. 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 more than 30 interventional drug trials for primary glomerular kidney diseases. NephCure is a U.S. tax exempt 501(c)(3) public charity.
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