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My 2024 TCS New York City Marathon Fundraising Page
Frances Velez
Frances Velez
My first marathon was in 2008, one year after my son was born, and the year I was diagnosed with C1q Nephropathy. C1q Nephropathy is a variant chronic kidney disease of Focal Segmental Glomerulosclerosis (FSGS), a rare disease that attacks the kidney’s filtering system (glomeruli) causing serious scarring and one of the causes of a serious condition known as Nephrotic Syndrome (NS). Doctors often call these diseases "idiopathic," which means that they have arisen without a known cause.
I underwent three separate 6-month treatments: prednisone, cyclosporine and Cellcept. Pick your poison! Unfortunately, prednisone (a steroid) made my symptoms worse. My body responded to Cyclosporine, but the side-effects were too much to handle. Finally, my Nephrologist decided on Cellcept. My protein levels began to go in the downward direction...the right direction. Unfortunately, there is no cure for this or any other kidney disease. So, the continued plan is to go into remission and hope my body stabilizes without the need for medicine. Otherwise, I will need to continue to take the medicine until a cure is found.
It’s been 10+ years since I have taken the harsh medications, but I am still on a blood pressure reducer, as medicines that lower blood pressure can also significantly slow the progression of kidney disease. While I am NOT in remission, I AM stable; I was able to find the balance that would maintain stability without putting the poisons in my body. Exercise and balanced diet have become my medicine…and French wine! :)
I ran my first two NYC marathons for charity in hopes to bring awareness to this silent disease that many live with unknowingly. This year, I decided to partner with the National Kidney Foundation, the leading organization in the U.S. dedicated to the awareness, prevention, and treatment of kidney disease for hundreds of thousands of healthcare professionals, millions of patients and their families, and tens of millions of Americans at risk.
On 3 November 2024, I will run my 6th marathon, 3rd in New York City. Why NYC? Because there is simply nothing like it! The city that never sleeps, shuts down for a day to celebrate 50,000+ strangers who go on a public transportation excursion to reach a brutally challenging course that crosses five bridges and five boroughs. The course where you get to window shop, dance along to the varying genres of music played, taste the flavors of the world handed out as fuel, and be a celebrity for the day as spectators cheer your name, especially if it’s displayed on your shirt!
Training has started! First race is on 7 April 2024 at Washington D.C.’s Cherry Blossom 10-miler; and the first in several years. Those running shoes hung for far too long, and they are ready to hit the pavement.
I am pledging to raise $3,000 - but hope to raise even more with your help. Your donation, and support, contributes to the research that allows for understanding the causes, providing accurate diagnoses, developing effective treatment plans, and hopefully finding a cure.
For more information on NKF, please visit The National Kidney Foundation.
Donating here, through this website, is simple, fast, and totally secure. It is also the most efficient way to support my fundraising efforts.
Thank you for your support and visiting my fundraising page!
With much love and appreciation,
Frances and Team VelKor's Happy Feet
I underwent three separate 6-month treatments: prednisone, cyclosporine and Cellcept. Pick your poison! Unfortunately, prednisone (a steroid) made my symptoms worse. My body responded to Cyclosporine, but the side-effects were too much to handle. Finally, my Nephrologist decided on Cellcept. My protein levels began to go in the downward direction...the right direction. Unfortunately, there is no cure for this or any other kidney disease. So, the continued plan is to go into remission and hope my body stabilizes without the need for medicine. Otherwise, I will need to continue to take the medicine until a cure is found.
It’s been 10+ years since I have taken the harsh medications, but I am still on a blood pressure reducer, as medicines that lower blood pressure can also significantly slow the progression of kidney disease. While I am NOT in remission, I AM stable; I was able to find the balance that would maintain stability without putting the poisons in my body. Exercise and balanced diet have become my medicine…and French wine! :)
I ran my first two NYC marathons for charity in hopes to bring awareness to this silent disease that many live with unknowingly. This year, I decided to partner with the National Kidney Foundation, the leading organization in the U.S. dedicated to the awareness, prevention, and treatment of kidney disease for hundreds of thousands of healthcare professionals, millions of patients and their families, and tens of millions of Americans at risk.
On 3 November 2024, I will run my 6th marathon, 3rd in New York City. Why NYC? Because there is simply nothing like it! The city that never sleeps, shuts down for a day to celebrate 50,000+ strangers who go on a public transportation excursion to reach a brutally challenging course that crosses five bridges and five boroughs. The course where you get to window shop, dance along to the varying genres of music played, taste the flavors of the world handed out as fuel, and be a celebrity for the day as spectators cheer your name, especially if it’s displayed on your shirt!
Training has started! First race is on 7 April 2024 at Washington D.C.’s Cherry Blossom 10-miler; and the first in several years. Those running shoes hung for far too long, and they are ready to hit the pavement.
I am pledging to raise $3,000 - but hope to raise even more with your help. Your donation, and support, contributes to the research that allows for understanding the causes, providing accurate diagnoses, developing effective treatment plans, and hopefully finding a cure.
For more information on NKF, please visit The National Kidney Foundation.
Donating here, through this website, is simple, fast, and totally secure. It is also the most efficient way to support my fundraising efforts.
Thank you for your support and visiting my fundraising page!
With much love and appreciation,
Frances and Team VelKor's Happy Feet
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