My name is Andrew and I am 8 years old. On August 9, 2009, my mom will be doing something very special for me by running the Falmouth Road Race in my honor. I hope that you will support her by making a donation to NephCure. Any amount makes a difference. NephCure is the only organization solely committed to finding a cure for Focal Segmental Glomerulosclerosis (FSGS), the kidney disease that I have had since I was 4 years old.

On the outside I might look just like every other 8 year old boy, but on the inside I'm not. When I was 6 years old and in kindergarten, my kidneys stopped working. Inside my body, I have one of my dad's kidneys which he donated to me last year when I was 7 years old. Before I got my new kidney from my dad, I had a dialysis machine in my bedroom for a little over a year that I had to use at night to make me feel better and do the job that my kidneys were supposed to be doing. It actually worked great and I felt good each day, except that I didn't like being hooked up to a machine for nearly 12 hours each night. Like everything else I've been through, I got used to it. I was hoping that my new kidney from my dad would mean that I would be all better and not have to worry about my kidneys for a while, but my FSGS returned in my transplanted kidney just days after my transplant and my mom and dad told me that my dialysis machine will probably be coming back one day, though we don't really know when. It could be soon. I have been to Children's Hospital in Boston so many times in the past 4 years that it all seems to blend together. I have been told that I am the bravest boy since I just watch now when they stick me with a needle to draw blood or put in an IV, since I am so used to it. I take almost 14 different medications now, some in the morning and some at night, and I often help my mom fill my pill cases each week since I know how important it is for me to not miss taking my pills, not even one time.

My friends at school don't know that I had a kidney transplant (my choice) and to them I'm just a regular kid, even though my teachers and I know differently. My friends think that I am really smart and good at math and I really love being at school. After school and on the weekends, I enjoy spending time with my family and friends. I like playing the piano, reading books, playing tennis and soccer, skiing and playing Wii. I also love board games. I try my best to still do everything that I love and for the most part I can, although there are days when I feel tired or just don't feel so great. Some of my medicines that help prevent rejection of my new kidney suppress my immune system, which means I get sick more easily. I clean my hands so many times each day with hand sanitizer to try and help prevent this. I have to worry about a lot of things that most kids my age don't even think about. It's often hard for me and I sometimes get frustrated. One day I hope that there will be a cure for FSGS. Please help NephCure find a cure by supporting much-needed research with your donation.

The NephCure Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. To learn more about FSGS and NephCure please visit their website at www.NephCure.org. You can make a secure donation directly on this site (preferred method) or by personal check. Checks should be made out to:

The NephCure Foundation

15 Waterloo Ave.

Berwyn, PA 19312 (Please be sure to put 'Run for Andrew' in the memo area).

Thanks a million for reading my story and for supporting my mom and NephCure.

Love, Andrew