Dylan Clancy, who has a kidney disease, and his two brothers have raised more than $27,000 for research by selling raffle tickets to Broadway shows, among other tactics. The Clancy family resides in Freehold Township.
The Clancy brothers, representing thousands of children nationwide suffering from nephrotic syndrome and focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS), have donated the money to The NephCure Foundation, which is devoted to finding treatments and a cure for those conditions, according to a press release. Dylan has nephrotic syndrome.
When the brothers, Dylan, 10, Brett, 12, and Ryan, 13, first initiated the fundraising program three years ago their initial goal was to raise $2,000. They quickly exceeded that number and collected $7,730. During their second year, Dylan, Brett and Ryan raised more then $10,000. Now almost three years later, the trio is responsible for more then $27,000.
Throughout those three years, according to the press release, the Clancy brothers sold raffle tickets in which the winners won prizes such as a trip to NewYork with tickets to a Broadway show. The brothers also held parties at their home to raise money for research and to generate awareness of the little-known disease affecting their brother.
“The boys have truly inspired us,” said Henry Brehm, executive director of The NephCure Foundation. “Having been able to raise $27,000 while all under the age of 14, imagine what they will be able to accomplish as young adults.”
“We are extremely proud of the kids’ fundraising efforts. They were able to take charge of the project and run with it,” said Pat and Darcy Clancy, mother and father of the three boys. “We have just completed our third year and it continues to be a great experience for the whole family. They are already looking forward to another year of activity.”
“Actually, fundraising is more fun than I thought it would be. I learned a lot and was able to hang out with my brothers,” said Dylan, whose battle against nephrotic syndrome has inspired the initiative. “My favorite part is picking out the winning ticket.”
According to the press release, nephrotic syndrome and FSGS are conditions that affect the tiny filtering mechanisms in the kidney. The result is that beneficial protein is spilled from the kidney into the urine and lost. Over time this condition will result in renal failure and the need for dialysis or a kidney transplant. The cause for nephrotic syndrome and FSGS is not known and there is no cure.
The NephCure Foundation is the only organization solely committed to seeking a cause and cure for nephrotic syndrome and focal segmental glomerulosclerosis. Comprised of patients, their families and friends, researchers, physicians and other health-care professionals, NephCure aims to help science unlock the biological mechanisms that cause these serious conditions and ultimately find a way to cure and prevent them.
Dylan was first diagnosed with nephrotic syndrome in 2004 at the age of 6. Although Dylan struggled in the beginning with a strict diet and an intense steroid regimen, he has been doing well for more than two years, according to the press release.

