Joys & Concerns

APPI Fundraiser
Fundraising goal is $5,000

As parents our primary concern is our children’s health and safety. We go through sleepless nights worrying about fevers, ear infections, and stomach viruses. All we want is to be able to protect our kids from illnesses. I still remember the day in August, just 3 years ago. My son, who was 2 years old at the time, had woken up in the morning with swollen eyelids. I debated whether to call the pediatrician, wondering if I would seem like a paranoid mom. I made the call anyways and after the doctor’s visit we got sent to the hospital for some blood tests and went back home to get on with our normal routines. What we weren’t expecting that night was a call from the pediatrician telling us that the tests showed there was something wrong with my son’s kidneys and he was being admitted into the intensive care unit. I will never forget that phone call, the feeling of helplessness as I wondered what was going to happen to my little boy. Or the many other hospitalizations as I held my son, as he was hooked up to IVs and monitors, worried what the future had in store.

The nephrologist gave us the diagnosis of Focal Segmental Glomerulosclerosis (FSGS), which is a condition that causes the kidneys to leak protein out of the blood. It can cause other problems such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, swelling and more. Since the cause is unknown and there is no cure, we know the importance for futher research.
-Sue Rogers

It is our goal to raise $5,000 to help find a cure for Nephrotic Syndrome and FSGS. If the goal is reached by the MARC spring convention in Decatur, IL (March 15-18), Rick Trummer of American Color Lab volunteered to have his head shaved in the trade show on opening night. The initial $5,000 will be donated to The NephCure Foundation (www.nephcure.org), any donations received after the initial goal is met will go to Sammy to help pay for his medical bills. This is "The cash for the stache" portion of the fundraiser. Rick will have his mustache shaved if the donations exceed $6,000. For questions or more information, contact Beth Zak BZak Photography 1636 Celerity Dr Florissant, MO 314-831-1767 To make a donation, contact David Pickel Joshua Photography 531 E. Birch St. Canton, IL 309-647-7101 Checks should be may payable to APPI