I am reaching out to you all in support of a wonderful friend, Lisa Cimino. This April 19th, 2010 I will be running in the 114th Boston Marathon. It will be my second consecutive year running in the Boston Marathon, however this time I have been called upon to help run for a cause on behalf of Lisa’s daughter, Brianna, and the NephCure Foundation.

Brianna’s story Brianna is 13 years old and has been battling Nephrotic Syndrome and FSGS since she was 2 and 1/2 years old. She has endured many difficult treatments over the years and last year needed dialysis due to kidney failure. The year leading up to dialysis was particularly challenging because Brianna was not able to go to school, play sports, or do many of the things she always enjoyed. She slept most of the day and needed upwards of 30 pills a day to keep her stable. With dialysis, she is able to attend school with a modified class schedule. Because she is on dialysis at home through the night hours she is unable to have sleepovers with friends or go on the Washington, DC trip with her class. This June, Brianna will receive a kidney transplant and we are hoping and praying that Brianna's disease will not reoccur in her new kidney. Brianna loves friends, animals, rollercoaster, and the TV show "Lost." Despite Brianna's health challenges she has an amazing strength and a tender heart towards others in need.

NS and FSGS Nephrotic Syndrome, and a more severe form of this disease known as Focal Segmental Glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) affects the kidney function and can lead to kidney failure. The cause is unknown and there is no known cure. FSGS is the second leading cause of children on dialysis. If treatment with steroids and other medications fails, patients endure dialysis treatments and may require a transplant. And a transplant is not always the answer; FSGS can attack the new kidney post-transplant, often within hours or weeks.

The NephCure Foundation Together with my family and friends, we have teamed up with the NephCure Foundation (www.NephCure.org), the only organization committed exclusively to support research seeking a cause and a cure for NS and FSGS. In recent years, NephCure committed to $6 million in research and is supporting studies on a global arena.

I hope that you will help Lisa and myself in this endeavor by supporting our charitable efforts. I understand that in these hard economic times it is difficult to make donations and I do not make this request lightly -- any amount makes a difference. The NephCure Foundation is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization and your donation is tax deductible.

How to Donate

* Online: Credit card donations at www.active.com/donate/TimVafides

* By Mail: Make checks payable to: NephCure

The NephCure Foundation 15 Waterloo Ave Berwyn, PA 19312

Please indicate "Tim Vafides" on the memo line for tracking purposes.

Thank you for helping NephCure to save kidneys and to save lives.

Best Regards,

Tim Vafides