Wendy Cook

Hello, my name is Wendy Cook. I am a mother of two children amongst which is David who is suffering from NS.

I am a trustee and chair of the ‘Nephrotic Syndrome Trust’ (Nest) based in the United Kingdom (www.nstrust.co.uk). Nest was launched in 2005, the charity aims to:

• Raise awareness of Nephrotic Syndrome
• Offer a website resource, and support to sufferers and their families who are affected by Nephrotic Syndrome
• Raise money to fund pioneering research.

I am also involved in a new global initiative ‘Nephcure International’ founded in 2008 to promote international co-operation for NS research.

I am married to Tim who is a priest in the Church of England, and have two children: Victoria nineteen who is at college, and David fourteen who has suffered from NS-FSGS since he was five. David has had both kidneys removed, been on dialysis, had a transplant and sadly seen FSGS reoccur.

Nephrotic Syndrome is seriously cruel and debilitating kidney condition which my son and many other children and adults are battling against daily. This is why I feel very much motivated to give my time voluntarily to fight for new therapies and ultimately a cure one day.

I have joined the foundation team to give my support and explore ways in which we can collaborate by sharing information and lobbying much needed funds for our researchers. I’m looking forward to being involved in forthcoming European initiatives and projects.