Assemblyman Ed Ra (R-Franklin Square) is pleased to announce the passage of a Resolution to declare March 27, 2018 Nephrotic Syndrome Awareness Day in New York. Nephrotic Syndrome is a kidney disorder, which affects roughly 5 out of 100,000 people, that causes one’s body to excrete an abnormally large amount of protein in the urine.

“I am so happy we are able to shine some light on Nephrotic Syndrome,” said Ra. “This wouldn’t have happened without all the hard work of NephCure Kidney International. Collectively, there are many Americans who suffer from all kinds of rare diseases, so it is important to raise as much awareness about as many diseases as possible in order to help find treatments, cures and teach others the signs and symptoms.”

The most common cause of the disease is when clusters of small blood vessels in the kidneys, which work to filter waste and surplus water from the blood, are damaged. Symptoms include weight gain from retaining excess fluid, swelling, usually around the feet, ankles and eyes, loss of appetite and fatigue. It can also increase the risk for blood clots, infections, acute kidney failure and high blood pressure and cholesterol.

“The most exciting thing about going to Albany is the awareness. My main goal is to be able to say, Nephrotic Syndrome, and have someone know it, like they know other diseases. They may not know it as intimately as we do, but they don’t have to say, Nephrotic what?,” said Marlene Botta, a Franklin Square NephCure volunteer whose daughter Jackie, 16, was diagnosed with Nephrotic Syndrome as a child.