Our Story

Our story begins with Norah Dunlap, born in 2013 with a kidney disease called Alport Syndrome (AS). AS is a rare, incurable disease that causes hearing loss, eye abnormalities, and eventually kidney failure, passed genetically from parents to children. Norah's father, John Dunlap, who also has AS, has lost nearly 70% of his hearing, has beginning-stage cataracts, and underwent a kidney transplant in 2014. Like her father, Norah may one day face similar challenges, including the potential need for a kidney transplant. This condition affects not only John and Norah but future generations of the Dunlap family as well.

As John delved deeper into AS, he discovered a community of other families affected by the disease through the Alport Syndrome Foundation. Despite its impact, AS remains relatively understudied. Many families reach out to the Alport Syndrome Foundation for resources and education about the disease. The foundation, a leading patient-led, independent non-profit organization in the United States, educates and advocates for the AS community, profoundly influencing John and Norah's lives.

Motivated to give back, John rallied his close friends to organize an in-person fundraising event to support the Alport Syndrome Foundation financially, allowing them to continue advocating for families with AS. This effort led to the creation of the Music City Kidney Fundraiser.

We thank you for visiting our page and learning about our story. From the Dunlap family and the board of the Music City Kidney Fundraiser, we invite you to join us in Nashville, TN, for a fun time raising funds for a cause that impacts real lives. Thank you very much.