TERESA GIUDICE AT NEPHCURE FOUNDATION FETE

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STARS WITH A HEART

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Teresa Giudice

The NephCure Foundation recognized “The Real Housewives of New Jersey” reality TV star Teresa Giudice as a “Real Hero” for her ongoing commitment to the kidney disease non-profit’s mission recently at Capitale in lower Manhattan.

Ms. Giudice was introduced at The NephCure Foundation’s eighth annual fundraising gala, Countdown To A Cure, which honored John Keogh, who received the 2012 NephCure Foundation Service Award. Keogh, the Vice Chairman and COO of Ace Group, one of the world’s largest multiline property and casualty insurers, was hailed for his philanthropy and dedication to NephCure’s mission. 

Earlier this year Giudice competed on NBC’s hit series, The Celebrity Apprentice, naming the NephCure Foundation as her charity. Her efforts resulted in a $60,000 donation to NephCure. Last night, she told an audience of 700 the story of how she decided to join the cast and designate NephCure as her charity.

In red carpet interviews, she said, “I met Matthew (Levine) two years ago at Eric Trump’s foundation event and when I met him he looked like this beautiful little boy - totally fine. Then I started talking to his mom and she told me that he had this rare kidney disease (Focal Segmental Glomerulosclerosis, also known as FSGS), and he takes fifteen pills a day. Just hearing that broke my heart - being a mom of four. I can’t even imagine what they go through every day. So, after that, I was asked to do Celebrity Apprentice and instantly I thought of Matthew. I wanted to do whatever I could to help him so that’s how I got involved with NephCure. I’ve raised over $60,000 on Celebrity Apprentice and I told them they have me for life until we find a cure.”

Matthew Levine’s parents, Michael and Dana, are active with The NephCure Foundation as organizers and fundraisers with Michael serving on the non-profit’s board of directors.

“The Real Housewives of New Jersey” video crew was on hand to capture Giudice and husband, Joe, on the red carpet and throughout the event, during which Guidice helped raise an estimated $500,000 for research into the kidney disease FSGS and Nephrotic Syndrome.

Photo Courtesy Of: NephCure Foundation