Gotham Government Relations and Communications Announces New Pro-Bono Client

ROSLYN, N.Y., March 1, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Gotham Government Relations and Communications today announced a new pro-bono client: The NephCure Foundation.

The NephCure Foundation is the only organization committed exclusively to support education and research seeking the cause of the potentially debilitating kidney diseases, Nephrotic Syndrome and Focal Segmental Glomerulosclerosis (FSGS), improve treatment and find a cure.

"Unfortunately, these two diseases are extremely debilitating and cause kidney failure in adults and children alike," says Brad Gerstman, Partner at Gotham. "NephCure has turned to Gotham's powerful communications team to get the word out in political circles here in New York, to complement their efforts in Washington, DC and nationwide.

FSGS rose to the mainstream discourse when former NBA star Alonzo Mourning announced he was suffering from the disease. He has since been lucky enough to undergo a successful kidney transplant.  The African-American population is especially susceptible to FSGS, as the disease is five times more prevalent in that community. Overall, FSGS is the second-leading cause of kidney failure in children.

"This disease is more common than Cystic Fibrosis and it needs greater awareness," says Gotham Partner David Schwartz. "For us at Gotham, this client hits close to home, as a dear friend's seven-year-old son is suffering from this condition. We want to do everything we can to help find answers for those suffering from this horrible disease by trying to create awareness."

About NephCure

Nephrotic Syndrome and FSGS are conditions that affect the tiny filtering mechanisms in the kidney.  The result is that beneficial protein is spilled from the kidney into the urine and lost.  Over time this condition can result in renal failure and the need for dialysis or a kidney transplant.  The cause for Nephrotic Syndrome and FSGS is not known and there is no cure.

The NephCure Foundation is the only organization solely committed to seeking a cause and cure for Nephrotic Syndrome and Focal Segmental Glomerulosclerosis (FSGS).  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 serious conditions and ultimately find a way to cure and prevent them.

Because of privacy laws, The NephCure Foundation has a unique challenge in finding families affected by Nephrotic Syndrome and FSGS. Therefore, in addition to fundraising for research, The NephCure Foundation devotes much of its efforts to identifying patient families. Further information for families or potential supporters can be obtained at www.nephcure.org or by contacting Miriam Long at [email protected]. The identification of patients is crucial in order to help save lives and further research.

SOURCE Gotham Government Relations and Communications