Moving forward, together

This fall, our community rode for research, spread the word about ammonia testing, and gave NUCDF a new home base in Washington, DC. Next up: a lecture from one of the field's leading researchers and a runner taking the UCD story to all seven continents.

Here's what's happening and how you can be part of it.

In this issue
• Le Mons Lecture with Dr. Brendan Lee – Nov 10
• Klara's Great World Race – Nov 15–21
• Cure the Cycle 2026 recap
• Check Ammonia campaign
• We've moved to Washington, DC

Upcoming · Free online lecture

Cynthia Le Mons Memorial Lecture Series on Metabolism

“Flux from Ammonia to Urea: Highway of Discovery to Treatment”

Join Brendan Lee, MD, PhD, as he traces the path from discovery to treatment in urea cycle disorders. Dr. Lee is the Robert and Janice McNair Endowed Chair and Professor and Chairman of the Department of Molecular and Human Genetics at Baylor College of Medicine.

The lecture series honors Cindy Le Mons and her lifelong commitment to the UCD community. It is presented by the American Institute for Neuro-Integrative Development (AIND), Baylor College of Medicine and NUCDF.

When: Tuesday, November 10, 2026
Noon Central · 1:00 PM Eastern · 10:00 AM Pacific
Where: Online via Zoom · free to attend
Register to attend virtually: us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_5qjOpXgLRhyFcz6YDdo5Pw

Cheer her on · Nov 15–21

Klara's Great World Race: 7 marathons, 7 continents, 7 days

From November 15 to 21, Klara Dickinson, an NUCDF board member, will run seven marathons on seven continents in seven days, all to raise awareness and funds for NUCDF. Every leg of her journey carries a piece of the UCD story, from what UCDs are in Antarctica to why the finish is only the beginning in Miami. Read about each leg of Klara’s race →

Klara has raised $11,000 toward her $77,700 goal. Help make every mile matter.

Support Klara's race

Recap · October 10, 2026

Thank you for riding with us at Cure the Cycle 2026

Riders and supporters cheering together in their Cure the Cycle shirts

On October 10, riders, walkers and supporters came together at 8 locations across the country for the 12th annual Cure the Cycle Challenge. Thank you to every participant, team captain, donor and sponsor who showed up for the UCD community.

12th Cure the Cycle Challenge: $85,000 raised. Thank you to our sponsors: Cycle Pharmaceuticals / CycleVita, iECURE, Immedica, Korro Bio and Medunik USA

Thanks to 362 donors, proceeds support the Cindy Le Mons Fellowship Grant, which funds innovative research and emerging investigators working toward better treatments and outcomes for people living with UCDs.

Give to Cure the Cycle

Awareness · Check Ammonia

When symptoms don't make sense, Check Ammonia

October is Check Ammonia Awareness Month

High blood ammonia can cause neurological, behavioral, digestive or unexplained symptoms at any age, and it is often mistaken for something else. A prompt, properly collected plasma ammonia test can catch it early and protect the brain. Thank you to everyone who shared the Check Ammonia message this October.

Throughout October, we shared stories from many families about how checking ammonia, or not checking it in time, shaped their lives. Thank you to every family who shared their story with our community. Your voices help others recognize the signs and ask for a test. Learn more and read their stories →

1. Identify
Know the signs of high ammonia.

2. Check
Test plasma ammonia promptly.

3. Call
Contact a metabolic geneticist.

The Check Ammonia campaign belongs to everyone. Families, clinicians, hospitals, schools, advocacy groups and industry are all invited to partner with us by using and sharing the materials.

The need for awareness doesn't end with October. Download pocket cards, symptom guides, testing guidance and shareable graphics at checkammonia.com, and pass them along to your pediatrician, emergency department or school nurse.

Visit Check Ammonia

NUCDF news

We've moved to Washington, DC

NUCDF now rents office space at the RARE Community Hub, a service of the RARE Foundation (formerly EveryLife Foundation), just off K Street near Capitol Hill. We share the space with organizations like Global Genes, the National MPS Society, the COPD Foundation and the Undiagnosed Diseases Network Foundation.

“The RARE Community Hub gives NUCDF an affordable home base in Washington, close to where decisions about rare disease research, treatment, and reimbursement are made. Just as important, it puts us side by side with other rare disease organizations, so we can work together more closely on behalf of patients.”
— Tresa Warner, Executive Director

Our new mailing address
National Urea Cycle Disorders Foundation
1012 14th Street NW, Suite 500
Washington, DC 20005

Mailing a gift? Please use the new address.
Used the old address? No problem. We're forwarding mail.
Giving online? Nothing changes at nucdf.org/donate.

Our phone number and email stay the same: (626) 578-0833 and cureucd@nucdf.org.

Thank you for being part of the NUCDF community.

Your support makes our work for families affected by urea cycle disorders possible.

Donate to NUCDF

We know urea cycle disorders. We live to conquer them.

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National Urea Cycle Disorders Foundation
1012 14th Street NW, Suite 500, Washington, DC 20005
(626) 578-0833 · cureucd@nucdf.org · nucdf.org