Engaged Donor Continues Support of Kidney Disease Non-Profit
NEW YORK, Nov. 30, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The NephCure Foundation took center stage on the New York City philanthropy scene Wednesday night, hosting prominent philanthropist Stewart Rahr and several New York City sports and entertainment stars at its eighth annual Countdown To A Cure benefit gala at Capitale in Manhattan.
Raising funds for research into the kidney disease FSGS and Nephrotic Syndrome, the NephCure event was attended by some 700 supporters from the tri-state area despite being re-scheduled from early November because of Hurricane Sandy. With live and silent auctions and other fundraising activities, the event generated an estimated $630,000 for research into these still incurable kidney diseases.
One of the largest single donors of the evening was Rahr, the billionaire philanthropist who created the Rahr Foundation with a $100 million commitment after selling his pharmaceutical distribution business. A prominent donor to scores of causes including The Make-A-Wish Foundation, The American Fallen Soldiers Project and the Susan B. Komen Foundation, Rahr has contributed over $200,000 to The NephCure Foundation over the past 18 months.
Wednesday night, he donated some $40,000 while bolstering other fundraising activities through active bidding on most of the 15 live auction items, including tickets to a live taping of Saturday Night Live as the culmination to a special night in New York City, an Ultimate New York Jets Package for a 2013 season home game, a New York Knicks luxury suite night for eight and dinner with reality TV star Teresa Giudice of The Real Housewives of New Jersey, who was in attendance.
Among the evening's other major donors were David Cone, the former All-Star pitcher who helped the New York Yankees to four World Series Championships, and Kris Benson, the former New York Mets standout pitcher who is an active philanthropist and NephCure Foundation donor. Also lending their celebrity to the event with appearances on the red carpet and participation in the live auction were former New York Knicks John Starks and John Wallace.
The primary honoree of the evening was John Keogh, who received the 2012 NephCure Foundation Service Award. Keogh, the Vice Chairman and COO of Ace Group, one of the world's largest multiline property and casualty insurers, was hailed for his philanthropy and dedication to NephCure's mission. Keoghis close friends with two families dealing with these kidney problems. He also serves on the board for the New York Police and Fire Widows' and Children's Benefit Fund.
Nephrotic Syndrome and FSGS are conditions that affect the tiny filtering mechanisms in the kidneys. The result is that beneficial protein is spilled from the kidneys into the urine and is lost. Over time, this condition can result in renal failure and the need for dialysis or a kidney transplant. The cause of Nephrotic Syndrome and FSGS is not known and there is no cure. FSGS is a leading cause of kidney failure in children.
The NephCure Foundation is the only organization solely committed to seeking a cause and cure for Nephrotic Syndrome and FSGS (Focal Segmental Glomerulosclerosis). Comprised of patients, their families and friends, researchers, physicians and other healthcare professionals, NephCure aims to help science unlock the biological mechanisms that cause these diseases and ultimately find a way to cure and prevent them.
www.nephcure.org
SOURCE NephCure Foundation
