News Release:
The Halpin Foundation and the ASN Partner to Study Membranous Nephropathy

Washington, DC (Aug. 2, 04) -- The necessity to gain insight into a kidney disease that causes loss of protein in the urine and a progressive decline in renal function has partnered The Halpin Foundation with The American Society of NephrologyTM (ASN) and led to the creation of a fund to study Membranous Nephropathy (MN). In addition to enabling researchers to better understand this disease, The Halpin Foundation is dedicated to raising awareness of MN in the scientific and lay communities.

The ASN and The Halpin Foundation, which dedicated itself to the study of this important kidney disease after the Halpin's 14-year-old son was diagnosed with it in 1989, are committed to obtaining answers to questions that plague the medical community, including whether there is a hereditary predisposition to the disease. "Unfortunately, there are many unanswered questions surrounding Membranous Nephropathy, and we are grateful to The Halpin Foundation for helping us obtain crucial information about this disease," said ASN's President William E. Mitch.

In a concerted effort to highlight research advances and stimulate investigations regarding Membranous Nephropathy, the ASN will also sponsor a clinical session devoted to various aspects of Membranous Nephropathy during its annual fall meeting, Renal WeekTM 2004. This session will address four key topics presented by distinguished experts in MN, including: "Pathogenesis of Idiopathic MN: Some New Clues" by Pierre M. Ronco and "Indications for Immunosuppressive Therapy" by Daniel C. Cattran. Joan Halpin, President of the Halpin Foundation, is hopeful this symposium will "attract a diverse audience that will be encouraged to devote time and intellect to the consideration of the pathogenesis and therapy for this disorder."

The ASN is a not-for-profit organization with more than 11,000 members from 61 countries (as of 2010) dedicated to the study of nephrology and committed to providing a forum for the promulgation of information regarding the latest research and clinical findings on kidney diseases. ASN's Renal Week 2004, the largest nephrology meeting of its kind, will provide a forum for more than 12,000 nephrologists to discuss the latest findings in renal research and engage in educational sessions relating advances in the care of patients with kidney and related disorders from October 27-November 1, 2004 at the America's Center in St. Louis, Missouri.