We are shaking things up at this year's spring fundraiser, but the party remains the same FUN, casual night out! Don't miss the Party in the YARD (formerly "Party in the Park") on Friday, March 7 at the spectacular world headquarters of Urban Outfitters, Inc..

The venue is located in the heart of Philly's 134 year old Naval Yard in one of the city's most impressive landmark properties, a soaring, hangar-sized factory, originally built to produce World War II era battle ships.  Urban Outfitters Inc. has aptly transformed the property into the creative center of their global enterprise, integrating massive industrial artifacts with eastern influenced coy ponds, bamboo plantings, and an antique hand-carved coffee bar imported from India. 

For a preview of the event, check out our Party in the Yard boards on Pinterest!      

Click here to register online today!                

Isaiah was born at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia via C-section at 23 weeks, exactly five years ago today.  His parents were aware that he was going to have significant problems and was going to need multiple surgeries.  In fact, the doctors didn't expect Isaiah to make it through the pregnancy or live long after birth.  Boy, were they wrong! 

Every year we work with families that are dealing with financial struggles due to a kidney disease diagnosis. As many of you know, we lost Fred nine years ago after a 15-month courageous battle with Kidney Cancer. 

Kidney Disease in Childhood

The kidneys play a critical role in the body: Acting as the body's filtering system, they help control water levels and eliminate wastes through urine. They also help regulate blood pressure, red blood cell production, and the levels of calcium and minerals.  The two kidneys lie to the sides of the upper part of the tummy (abdomen), behind the intestines, and either side of the spine. Each kidney is about the size of a large orange, but bean-shaped.

But sometimes the kidneys don't develop properly and, as a result, don't function as they should. Often these problems are genetic. Many times, these problems can be diagnosed before a baby is born through routine prenatal testing and treated with medication or surgery while the child is still young. Other problems may emerge later, such as symptoms of urinary infections, growth retardation, high blood pressure, etc. In some cases, the problems are more severe and require more extensive surgical treatment. In cases when a child's kidneys fail, a transplant is often the only course of treatment. 

Prognosis

Once chronic kidney disease (CKD) occurs, progression to end-stage renal disease (ESRD) appears certain. However, the rate of progression depends on the underlying diagnosis, on the successful implementation of secondary preventive measures, and on the individual patient.

To learn more, go to http://www.kidney.org/kidneydisease