North Carolina/Raleigh Vasculitis Support Group Meets
12/4/2010
Australian Podcast Features Interview with Kidney Center's
Caroline Jennette
10/30/2010
Dr. Abhi Kshirsagar Elected to Advisory Group
9/1/2010
Maestro Award Presented to Professor Randy Detwiler
8/30/2010
Tommy Arthur and Jay Zimmerman Host Third Annual Golf Tournament
7/7/2010
North Carolina/Raleigh Vasculitis Support Group Holds Spring Meeting
6/5/2010
Raven Rock Ramble Raises Over $16,000 for UNC Kidney Center
5/27/2010
NC Fun Ride Raises Over $8,000 For Vasculitis Research, Awareness and Support
5/1/2010
The UNC Kidney Center Kicks Off National Donate Life Month With New "Transform Lives" Campaign
3/30/2010
Melanie S. Joy, PharmD, PhD, inducted into the National Academies of Practice
3/25/2010
The Fifth Annual Kidney Kare Run Raises $17,000 for the Kidney Education Outreach program
3/22/2010
Cullmans Help Establish Autoimmune Research Fund
2/11/2010
North Carolina/Raleigh Vasculitis Support Group Meets
Written by Elaine Holmes, Chapter Leader
On Saturday, December 4, 2010 the North Carolina/Raleigh Vasculitis Support Group, a chapter of the Vasculitis Foundation, met at the John Hope Franklin Center in Durham. We had 45 attending, including 24 vasculitis patients.
Our speaker was Dr. Patrick Nachman, Professor of Medicine in the UNC Kidney Center. Dr. Nachman is a vasculitis physician/scientist. He talked with us about “Understanding Lab Tests for People with Vasculitis.” We all know how confusing it can be to try to interpret and understand the significance of specific laboratory tests, and we appreciated Dr. Nachman’s ability to explain the tests in a way that we could understand their use and meaning. We took great advantage of the opportunity to ask questions.
Following Dr. Nachman’s talk, Support Group member Dianne Shaw updated us on the Vasculitis Foundation’s planned 2011 Regional Patient and Family Symposium on Leading Edge Research and Strategies for Living with Vasculitis. This will be held in Chapel Hill on Saturday, May 14, 2011. Our Chapter will be hosting this symposium.
While the symposium is targeted towards regional participation from patients and families, the faculty for this meeting is worldwide, drawing on not only the expertise of Duke and UNC physicians and other experts, but also a panel including some of the world’s leading vasculitis physician/scientists who will offer their insights into research progress and direction.
NC Fun Ride organizer Danette Anderson gave us an update on the next fun ride scheduled for Saturday, April 2, 2011 in Graham, NC. This will be the 10th year of this important fundraiser for the Vasculitis Foundation. The goal is to bring the 10 year total to over $100,000 for vasculitis education, awareness and research.
We enjoyed talking with each other and sharing experiences. If you or someone you know is interested in participating in our group, please feel free to contact Elaine Holmes, Chapter Leader, telephone: 919-629-1246 or email: eholmes18@nc.rr.com
Australian Podcast Features Interview with Kidney Center's Caroline Jennette
October 30, 2010
UNC Kidney Center staff member Caroline Jennette talks with the International Program of Psycho-Social Health Research in two podcasts about focus group research she did to explore rural, community perspectives on kidney disease and health promotion.
The research program, which is part of CQ University in Australia, features the podcasts on its web site.
Listen to 'Kidney Disease and Health Promotion': a Community Perspective" on the CQ University web site.
Dr. Abhi Kshirsagar Elected to Advisory Group
9/1/2010
Faculty member Abhijit V. Kshirsagar, MD, MPH, was recently elected to serve on the American Society of Nephrology’s Chronic Kidney Disease Advisory Group (CKDAG).
The CKDAG provides clinical and scientific knowledge and advances concerning the prevention and treatment of chronic kidney disease and its complications to the ASN Council. The group also supports research endeavors to develop and implement educational and quality improvement programs directed at reducing the occurrence and adverse outcomes of CKD.
Read more about the group at the ASN web site here
Maestro Award Presented to Professor Randy Detwiler
August 30, 2010
The UNC Nephrology fellows have presented the Maestro Award to Dr. Randy Detwiler, Professor of Medicine and Transplant Nephrology Program Director. This award is bestowed annually upon a faculty member who has shown “outstanding commitment and excellence in teaching.”
Gerald Hladik, MD, Fellowship Program Director, had many positive things to say about Detwiler.
“He is totally dedicated to excellence in patient care, administration, research and teaching, and is truly deserving of this award.”
Dr. Detwiler, who has been a faculty member since 2002, did his training at UNC, which included his internal medicine residency and his nephrology fellowship. Hladik met Detwiler while an intern while Detwiler was chief resident more than 15 years ago. Hladik says Detwiler’s excellent teaching skills even then were evident and that he had a “unique ability to convey complex clinical issues in a precise and comprehensible manner.”
Hladik says that while Detwiler was a UNC Nephrology Fellow, his teaching skills inspired him, as well as other UNC internal residents including Robert Schmidt, Clay Block and Patrick Nachman to pursue careers in nephrology.
The Maestro Award is given in honor of Professor Romulo Colindres, who has served as an outstanding mentor and role model for fellows throughout his career. Dr. Colindres has been a faculty member at UNC since 1972, and served as training program director for the nephrology fellowship from 1994-2009.
Dr. Colindres is known for his craft in teaching the complex physiology of the kidney with great depth and precision, not unlike a legendary conductor leading a symphony orchestra, thus earning him the endearment “Maestro” from Dr. Joseph Aiello, a fellow at UNC from 1996-1998.
UNC Kidney Center Director Ron Falk Interviewed About the Use of Rituximab in Treating Antineutrophil Cytoplasmic Antibody (ANCA)-associated Vasculitis
July 14, 2010
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
July 7, 2010
Country Hills Site of UNCKC Golf Tournament
Saturday, June 12th was a perfect day for the third Annual KEOP Golf Tournament. Jay Zimmerman and Tommy Arthur, tournament co-hosts, awarded the top 3 teams in the captains’ choice event. The first place team finished at 14 under, two teams tied for second at 11 under and scores for the first five holes were reviewed before Team Mickey, donning their green Mickey Mouse golf shirts, took second place by a single stroke and the Tommy Arthur team took third place.
Country Hills Golf Course in Gibsonville, NC, includes a number of water hazards and it was noted that the resident geese found frequent cause to remain on terra firma most of the day! Tra Snellings of Medical Management Incorporated, sidelined with a broken wrist, delivered much needed water, soda and snacks to the sixty golfers during play and Keri Arthur served as official photographer for the event.
The Bob King KIA Dealership of Winston-Salem donated a 2010 KIA SUV as the prize for anyone achieving a hole-in-one on the 9th hole. No one scored a hole-in-one, but Suzie Hosman and Donna Harward, serving as the official gallery (monitors) on the 9th hole, witnessed several “close, but no cigar” attempts that generated much excitement.
Top finishers were recognized during a post-tournament lunch at the Country Hills club house and all participants were entered for a drawing of great prizes including gift certificates for golf equipment, free golf rounds and spa gift certificates.
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| 1st place -Ed Sweetman, Bill Poe, Bill Linker and Bucky Sharpe (Tommy Arthur, far left and Jay Zimmerman, far right) |
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| 2nd Place- Roger Craig, Lee Cobbler, Berkley Banks and Glenn Francis |
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3rd place – Mike Dermatas, Nicky Dermatas, Tommy Arthur and Ricky Butner |
Bucky Sharp won longest drive and Will Britt won closest to the hole among the men. Taylor Trent won both longest drive and closest to the hole among the ladies.
The third annual UNCKC Golf Tournament, sponsored by Jay Zimmerman and Tommy Arthur, raised just over $3,000 to support the Kidney Education Outreach Program’s targeted awareness and free screening programs!
A big THANK YOU to the following sponsors of individual holes for this tournament:
- Biscuitville
- Bob King KIA
- Cora’s Fine Jewelry
- Crest Construction Services
- Dean Heckel T Hill Insurance
- Freeway Automotive LLC
- Gate City Pharmacy
- Golf Galaxy
- Medical Management Services
- Pat Brady Oil Company
- Southern Automotive
Making a Difference: Rising high school senior hosts a local health fair to educate his peers and neighbors on chronic kidney disease
July 6, 2010
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. A public event to promote awareness about CKD was a surprising choice for a quiet young man who has rarely even acknowledged his condition to other students and neighbors, but when asked why he chose to sponsor a health fair about CKD, Eric responded, “I wanted to step out beyond my normal activities and encourage other young people with a chronic disease to know that they can play sports, and have fun like other kids their age-- I wanted my classmates to understand what it is like to live with kidney disease.”
Armed with brochures, self-assessment instruments, and t-shirts proclaiming the importance of asking “HEY DOC, HOW ARE MY KIDNEYS?”, Eric conducted a CKD health fair and provided personal testimony about living with kidney disease and how the disease often caused him to withdraw from school activities and not realize his full potential.
Eric wanted to help his fellow students and neighbors to understand the disease that “affects his life, but no longer controls it.” He was not always so comfortable speaking about his health and the likely need for a kidney transplant but Eric acknowledged the role of his pediatric nephrologist, Dr. Bill Primack, and his transition coordinator, Kristi Bickford, in helping him to understand kidney disease and the importance of being more self-directed in managing his health.
As Eric answered people’s questions about CKD and described his struggle to live his life more fully, he acknowledged that the single most important influence in changing his attitude about his future, was the opportunity to attend a week of Kidney Camp in the North Carolina Mountains for two summers. Taking his first solo trip on a bus, playing sports and games, talking with other teenagers about life, watching movies, eating pizza and experiencing a normal teenage existence with other young persons living with a chronic disease helped Eric to begin to see a future that included participation in recreational activities and pursuit of his dream to become a chef. His new-found confidence was obvious to his teachers and counselors at Pender High and he became more receptive to their efforts to help secure further education and training, possibly through Job Corps.
One unanticipated outcome of Eric’s CKD health fair was that people elected to donate for the t-shirts he had planned to give away. Over four hundred dollars was donated during the fair and Eric has asked that these funds be used to help send another young person with a chronic disease to summer camp. Well done, Eric.
Those of us at the Kidney Center are excited about Eric’s plans to become a chef and pursue his dream of restaurant ownership .
North Carolina/Raleigh Vasculitis Support Group Holds Spring Meeting
June 5, 2010
On Saturday, May 22, 2010 the North Carolina/Raleigh Vasculitis Support Group, a chapter of the Vasculitis Foundation, met in Durham. We had 38 attending, including 21 vasculitis patients.
Our speaker was Dr. Mary Anne Dooley, Associate Professor in the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine, Division of Rheumatology and Immunology and one of the Vasculitis Foundation Medical Consultants. Dr. Dooley talked about “Health Promotion for People with Vasculitis.” She discussed a wide range of topics related to how we can be proactive about our health, including vaccination, avoiding infection, recommended health screenings, diet, exercise, sleep and mental health. It was empowering for us to hear outlined the steps each of us can and should take to promote our own health.
Following Dr. Dooley’s talk, Support Group member Dianne Shaw updated us on the Vasculitis Foundation’s planned Regional Patient Symposium to be held in Chapel Hill in May 2011. This will be in conjunction with the 15th International ANCA and Vasculitis Workshop for vasculitis researchers and clinicians also in Chapel Hill in May. Our Chapter will be providing support and assistance for the symposium.
We enjoyed talking with each other and sharing experiences. Our next meeting will be in fall 2010. If you or someone you know is interested in attending, please feel free to contact Elaine Holmes, Chapter Leader, telephone: 919-929-1246 or email: eholmes18@nc.rr.com
Raven Rock Ramble Raises Over $16,000 for UNC Kidney Center
May 27, 2010
Raven Rock Ramble is a century (100-mile) bicycle ride which explores the four-county area (Wake, Harnett, Lee, and Chatham) around Raven Rock State Park in North Carolina. Proceeds from the event go to benefit the UNC Kidney Center for direct patient services. Since its start in 2002, the Raven Rock Ramble has raised over $74,800 toward kidney health and awareness.
The 9th Raven Rock Ramble was held on May 2, 2010. This event has taken place since 2002 and has become a favorite of many area cyclists. David Cole is the event director. The following is a quote from the event website from David (who is an avid and accomplished cyclist): “I'm directing this ride because I love cycling and because I'm also a kidney transplant recipient, which allows me to enjoy cycling once again. I've been looking for an opportunity to both raise awareness on the importance of organ donation - something most folks don't care about until they have an urgent need in their family - and also raise funds for the UNC Kidney Center.
The event was an early sell out with over 500 cyclists and raised over $16,000 for the UNC Kidney Center. It was a warm day, but the aid stations were manned by smiling, helpful volunteers and stocked with plenty of fluids and snacks.
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Happy cyclists getting ready to roll! |
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From Left to Right: Mary Hall, David Cole, Transplant Nurse Clara Neyhart , and UNCKC Director Dr. Ronald Falk during the donation celebration. |
Mark your calendars now for next year’s Raven Rock Ramble which will be held on Sunday, May 1, 2011.
I started cycling in earnest 1987, shortly after a volleyball-induced knee injury took me out of running. I started riding in local group rides and centuries and developed decent strength and speed over time, such that by 1997 I set a new personal record in the Tour de Moore, finishing the 102.4 miles in under 4:30. Shortly thereafter a routine physical exam detected red blood cells and protein in my urine. One test led to another, and a kidney biopsy confirmed that I had a condition known as IgA Nephropathy. From there began a slow physical decline, with the most immediate symptom being leg cramps. By the summer of 2000 it was clear that I would be needing a transplant, and by November 2000 I was sufficiently anemic that I got a prescription for EPO.
My sister Laura agreed to be my donor, and we underwent surgery on March 7, 2001, just before I otherwise would have had to have started dialysis. I had some of the ups and downs associated with transplants (rejection, infection, etc), but by Memorial Day weekend I was back on my bike and managed an 8-mile ride.
I never expected I'd recover my speed and conditioning so quickly. I was riding metric centuries by July and full centuries by September, and without the first quiver of leg cramps. I began to remember why I enjoyed cycling so much, and would ride for the simple joy of feeling my body move and the bike respond. God, it's great!
The average transplant lasts only 10 years. I'm hoping for more, but I realize my time to enjoy cycling may be limited. My response is to make the most of it, ride when I can, and savor every moment. I encourage, indeed urge, you to do the same.
-DLC
NC Fun Ride Raises Over $8,000 For Vasculitis Research, Awareness and Support
May 1, 2010
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.
Vimal Derebail, MD, wins 2nd place in the National Kidney Foundation's Spring Clinical Meetings abstract competition
April 15, 2010
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.
The UNC Kidney Center Kicks Off National Donate Life Month With New "Transform Lives" Campaign
March 30, 2010
FACT: In December of 2009, North Carolina had 2,670 candidates for kidney transplantation; of the 495 kidney transplants performed in the state during 2009, 382 were from deceased donors and 113 were from living donors.
With support from the Kidney Center’s Allan Brewster Fund, the KEOP is expanding its community-based awareness campaign to increase North Carolinians’ knowledge about the importance of organ donation and the role of interventional kidney transplantation in achieving improved clinical outcomes and quality of life for persons at risk for or experiencing kidney failure. In addition, the KEOP wants to ensure that dialysis patients are informed about kidney transplantation, how to be evaluated for transplant candidacy, and the importance of getting on a waiting list before experiencing kidney failure.
The slogan for this new campaign is TRANSFORM LIVES: Be an Organ Donor. The A&Z Motorsports Team, a long-time partner in the KEOP’s Chronic Kidney Disease awareness and prevention efforts, has expanded its racing team to include a 1969 yellow Chevrolet Camaro that will be driven by Keri Arthur, daughter of two-time kidney transplant recipient, Tommy Arthur. Pictured below, the car made its public debut on Saturday, March 20th at the Kidney Center’s annual Kidney Kare 5K Run/Walk .
Competing in the Top Eliminator category at Piedmont Dragway, Inc. during the 2010 season, Keri will promote two easy ways for North Carolina residents to document their willingness to be an organ donor: 1) Request a ♥ on their driver’s license or state ID at the NC Department of Motor Vehicles, and 2) Register as an organ, eye or tissue donor at www.donatelifenc.org.
Click here for a fact sheet on kidney donation in NC
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UNC Kidney Center's Katharos, Inc successfully competes in the Carolina Challenge entrepreneurship competition
March 30, 2010
The Carolina Challenge is a business plan competition designed to promote entrepreneurship at UNC-Chapel Hill, including the emerging area of social entrepreneurship, among faculty, staff and students from all schools and departments.
Emphasis is placed on forming multi-disciplinary teams that have the breadth and depth of skills and knowledge to implement the venture idea. Once teams officially enter the competition in December, they gain access to a wide range of resources to help them learn how to turn their ideas into viable business plans. Finalists compete for prize money at the final round of competition in March each year by presenting their plans to a panel of judges made up of successful entrepreneurs and business people as well as community and university leaders.
Katharos Inc. received an honorable mention in the Carolina Challenge competition on March 27th. Katharos, Inc is working toward commercialization of a novel technology to manage poor blood phosphate control in end-stage kidney disease patients who are undergoing hemodialysis. Co-founders are Melanie S. Joy, PharmD, Ph.D., UNC School of Medicine and Kidney Center faculty member, and Marian G. McCord, Ph.D., N.C. State Department of Textile Engineering, Chemistry and Science and UNC-N.C. State Joint Department of Biomedical Engineering faculty member. NC BioStart entrepreneur-in-residence Perry A. Genova served as a business advisor to Katharos, Inc for the competition.
TopMelanie S. Joy, PharmD, PhD, inducted into the National Academies of Practice
March 25, 2010
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
March 22, 2010
The UNC Kidney Center’s Fifth Annual Kidney Kare 5k Run/Walk and Kids Kare ½ Mile Run was held on Saturday, March 20, the first official day of spring . An enthusiastic crowd of more than 500 participants was met with sunny, warm weather.
The Kidney Kare 5k continues to attract seasoned racers, recreational runners and hardy walkers. It has become a day of celebration and reunion for many kidney patients, donors, transplant recipients and supportive friends and family. Over the years the number of individual fund raisers has continued to increase with twice as many participants as in previous years. The Kidney Kare 5k has become the largest fund raising event for the Kidney Education Outreach Program and Patient Emergent Fund.
To celebrate the 5th year of the race, a children’s event was added this year, the Kids Kare ½ Mile Run. All finishers received a ribbon and it was apparent from the smiling faces that the kids (and parents) were quite pleased with their accomplishment.
The overall 5k run winners were Jeff Clabuesch and Mary Gill. The top three fund raisers were Jan’s Friends, Crystal Moseley and Roxanne Diesel.
We look forward to seeing you next March for the 6th Annual Kidney Kare 5k Run/Walk and the Kids Kare ½ Mile Run.
Click Here for race results
Click Here to read a feature from The Chapel Hill News
Cullmans Help Establish Autoimmune Research Fund
February 2, 2010
Hugh and Nan Cullman have always been ardent philanthropists. Over the years they have supported many different organizations and non profits. Most recently, the UNC Kidney Center has been fortunate to receive their support establishing the Autoimmune Research Fund. The Autoimmune Research Fund will provide pilot, or seed grants, to investigators from across the UNC campus who are interested in conducting research in autoimmune disease.
The vision of this Autoimmune Research Fund is to create and support a research environment that focuses on understanding the basic and translational etiology (cause) of autoimmune disease. The long term goal of the fund is to reach a targeted goal of $2,000,000 which would be endowed to create an ongoing resource of future funding.
The Cullman’s gift will serve as a catalyst to the long term goal of the endowed Autoimmune Research Fund.