UNC Kidney Center Director Ron Falk Interviewed About the Use of Rituximab in Treating Antineutrophil Cytoplasmic Antibody (ANCA)-associated Vasculitis
Dr. Ron Falk, Director of the UNC Kidney Center, spoke with a reporter about two studies recently published in the New England Journal of Medicine comparing the use of rituximab with cyclophosphamide (cytoxan) in the treatment of antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)-associated vasculitis.
Both trials showed that rituximab was effective in inducing a remission, compared with intravenous cytoxan or oral cyclophosphamide. Drs. Falk and Jennette authored an editorial on the subject that was published in the July 15th issue of the journal.
Information about ANCA-Vasculitis
Tommy Arthur and Jay Zimmerman Host Third Annual Golf Tournament
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| First place finishers pose with Tommy Arthur, far left and Jay Zimmerman, far right |
The third annual Kidney Center golf tournament held on June 12 raised just over $3,000 to support the Kidney Education Outreach Program’s targeted awareness and free screening programs. The event, sponsored by Jay Zimmerman and Tommy Arthur, took place at the Country Hills Golf Course in Gibsonville, NC.
Making a Difference: Rising high school senior hosts a local health fair to educate his peers and neighbors on chronic kidney disease
Fellow Pender High School students and residents of the Currie community were the beneficiaries of a chronic kidney disease (CKD) health fair hosted by Eric Devone, a soft-spoken, rising senior at Pender High School and patient at the UNC Kidney Center.
UNC Kidney Center's Nephrology Nursing Initiative featured in Nephrology Nursing Journal
A journal article describing the conception and implementation of the UNC Kidney Center's Nephrology Nursing Initiative (NNI) was featured in the March/April issue of the Nephrology Nursing Journal, published by the American Nephrology Nurses' Association. The NNI, spearheaded by Clara Neyhart, is a systematic and integrated approach to streamline the care of patients throughout the continuum of chronic kidney disease and and end stage-kidney disease.
North Carolina/Raleigh Vasculitis Support Group Holds Spring Meeting
The NC/Raleigh Vasculitis Support Group met at Duke University’s John Hope Franklin Center in Durham on May 22. There were 38 attending, including 21 vasculitis patients. |
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NC Fun Ride Raises Over $8,000 For Vasculitis Research, Awareness and Support
On Saturday, May 1, 2010 the annual NC Fun Ride in Graham, North Carolina raised over $8,000 for the Vasculitis Foundation. The riders and volunteers enjoyed a sunny, spring day, great music and wonderful fellowship.
Over the last nine years, the NC Fun Ride has raised over $92,000 for vasculitis research, awareness and support through the Vasculitis Foundation.
Danette Anderson, NC Fun Ride organizer, extends her thanks to all who attended, donated items for the silent auction and brought desserts and to all of the volunteers, including the vasculitis patients, their family members and friends, who helped make this year’s ride once again as success as well as great fun.
Raven Rock Ramble Raises Over $16,000 for UNC Kidney Center
Cyclists gathered on May 2nd for the 9th Annual Raven Rock Ramble to raise awareness about kidney disease and raise funds for the UNC Kidney Center |
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Registration Open for UNC Kidney Center Golf Tourney!
On Saturday, June 12th, the Country Hills Golf Course, located right outside of Greensboro, will be hosting the UNC Kidney Center's annual Golf Tournament. Proceeds from the tournament are used to screen and educate North Carolinians at risk for chronic kidney disease through the Kidney Center's Kidney Education Outreach Program.
More Information and Registration Form
Vimal Derebail, MD, wins 2nd place in the National Kidney Foundation's Spring Clinical Meetings abstract competition
Dr. Derebail, a current renal epidemiology trainee at the UNC Kidney Center, beat out 352 posters to win 2nd place for his abstract entitled "Variant Hemoglobin May Affect Erythropoietin Response in African-Americans Receiving Hemodialysis". Co-authors are Patrick H. Nachman,Nigel S. Key, Heather Ansede, Ronald J. Falk, and Abhijit V. Kshirsagar.
Press release on Dr. Derebail's abstract.
Full listing of NKF Spring Clinical Meetings abstracts.
April is National Donate Life Month
The UNC Kidney Center's Kidney Education Outreach Program (KEOP) has begun a new transplant awareness campaign in partnership with A to Z Racing to increase North Carolinian's awareness of the importance of being an organ donor.
Katharos, Inc., a UNC Kidney Center start-up company, successfully competes in the Carolina Challenge entrepreneurship competition
Katharos Inc. received an honorable mention in the Carolina Challenge competition on March 27th. The Carolina Challenge is a business plan competition designed to promote entrepreneurship at UNC-Chapel Hill.
Melanie S. Joy, PharmD, PhD, inducted into the National Academies of Practice
On March 20, 2010, Melanie S. Joy was inducted as a distinguished practitioner-member of the National Academies of Practice (NAP). The NAP was founded in 1981 in recognition of the need for interdisciplinary collaboration in healthcare. Dr. Joy was elected to membership in the Pharmacy Academy. For more information on the NAP click here.
The Fifth Annual Kidney Kare Run Raises $17,000 for the Kidney Education Outreach program
Over 500 participants showed up on the first day of spring to walk and run in support of increasing awareness and prevention of chronic kidney disease and end-stage kidney disease. Click here for full story |
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Cullmans Help Establish Autoimmune Research Fund
Philanthropists Hugh and Nan Cullman help jumpstart the UNC Kidney Center's Autoimmune Research Fund, which was established to create and support a research environment that focuses on understanding the basic and translational etiology (cause) of autoimmune disease.
Click here to read full story.