THE NEPHROTIC SYNDROME FOUNDATION: WE HOPE

by The Nephrotic Syndrome Foundation

Kayla Zawierucha

Zaniah was diagnosed with nephrotic syndrome/minimal change disease in 2018, shortly after turning 3 years old. She was in remission for only one year before experiencing her first relapse in 2019. This relapse required immediate hospitalization as her kidneys had began to show serious damage, and her body was going through extreme swelling causing actual physical discomfort. She was in remission from her 2nd relapse for a year and a half, and we all thought that she might be on her way to outgrowing this brutal diagnoses. Then, just this January of 2021, and after a blood and urine analysis, we got the phone call from her Nephrologist at the U of A saying that she had relapsed again and was to start the strong dose of prednisone. My family felt useless watching her swell up again for the third time, so with the help of myself, my oldest daughter decided that we could raise money for Zaniah and other children with this disease!

Consider making a donation in her name!

All the money donated directly goes to supporting The Nephrotic Syndrome Foundation's programming in support of children and families diagnosed with this disease, Backpacks of Hope, Camp, our Peer Team Program, Finding Health Sessions and more!

Our Mission: The Nephrotic Syndrome Foundation is a non-profit organization supporting those diagnosed with Nephrotic Syndrome, their families and the ongoing search for a cure.

Background: Nephrotic Syndrome is a serious and rare auto-immune disease that attacks the kidneys causing them to shut down. There is no known cause or cure. Treatments are extremely limited and consist primarily of steroids, cancer, and transplant medications. Many patients are children who spend a major part of their life in and out of the hospital, trying to find a treatment that keeps them in remission while managing the side effects. Receiving this diagnosis is life-changing. It can take the breath out of any parent or child who finds themselves in this situation. Our goal at NSF is to meet each family and child in these tough times and lift each one up as best we can by providing financial and emotional support to help them weather the times to better health, acceptance, and adjustment.