Countdown to a Cure | CWP Design - Brand Strategy & Design for Multigenerational Brands

Background

Supporting a flagship fundraiser during a meaningful anniversary year

NephCure’s annual Countdown to a Cure gala brings together patients, families, researchers, and supporters to advance progress toward treatments and cures for rare kidney diseases. As a long-term design partner, we’ve helped shape the event’s visual presence year after year, creating materials that feel distinctive while remaining efficient to produce. The organization’s 25th anniversary coincided with the 21st annual gala, creating an opportunity to acknowledge this broader milestone within the established event framework.

Challenge

Refresh the established event identity while honoring the organization’s 25th anniversary.

Solution

A refined visual evolution supported by flexible, production-ready templates and thoughtful integration of 25th anniversary references.

Results

A cohesive event presence that recognized the anniversary while maintaining continuity for supporters.

Challenge

Refresh the established event identity while honoring the organization’s 25th anniversary.

Solution

A refined visual evolution supported by flexible, production-ready templates and thoughtful integration of 25th anniversary references.

Results

A cohesive event presence that recognized the anniversary while maintaining continuity for supporters.

“NephCure has had the privilege of partnering with CWP for many years, and they truly feel like an extension of our team.

As a nonprofit, every dollar and every moment matters and CWP understands that deeply. From invitations and digital assets to event materials and branding, their creativity and attention to detail play a major role in helping us meet or surpass our fundraising goals year after year!

They are always willing to walk us through ideas, offer thoughtful solutions, and meet us with kindness and flexibility – no matter the circumstances. Because of their partnership, our team can stay focused on what matters most: supporting rare kidney disease patients and families and driving our mission forward. We are deeply grateful for their many years of creativity, dedication, and care.

— Chelsea Andreadis, Manager, Development & Community Fundraising

The Objective

Integrate anniversary recognition into a familiar and trusted event experience

The goal was to reflect NephCure’s 25-year legacy within the Countdown to a Cure event without disrupting its recognizable identity. Materials needed to work across invitations, presentations, signage, and patient storytelling, while remaining adaptable, budget-friendly, and practical for ongoing use by internal teams.

Design Solution

A coordinated system designed for consistency and adaptability

We evolved the existing Countdown to a Cure visual language by shifting to a navy palette, updating elements, and introducing subtle 25th-anniversary cues. Rather than creating an entirely new identity, the approach reinforced continuity while acknowledging the broader organizational milestone.

A suite of templates was also developed to support digital invitations, program materials, event signage, presentation slides, and patient spotlight features. Built for flexibility and ease of use, these templates enabled NephCure’s team to produce materials efficiently while maintaining a cohesive, elevated visual presence.

Trifold event invitation for "Countdown to a Cure" in New York. Elegant dark blue with gold accents. Features honoree names, date, and venue details.

Challenges & Accommodations

Recognizing a larger milestone without overshadowing the event itself

The 25th anniversary needed to be acknowledged in a meaningful way while preserving the established Countdown to a Cure identity. The challenge was finding the right balance—introducing anniversary elements that felt intentional but not confusing or distracting, and ensuring all materials could be produced efficiently within budget and timeline constraints.

Four Polaroid-style portraits feature young adults with a name, age, and diagnosis. Each has a "Countdown to a Cure NYC" circle emblem.

Outcomes

A unified experience that honored legacy while supporting future events

The event materials conveyed a strong and cohesive presence, reinforcing both the Countdown to a Cure tradition and NephCure’s broader organizational legacy. The flexible template system gave internal teams practical tools for easy maintenance, preserving consistency while making future event preparation more efficient. The result is a durable framework that supports the event’s continued evolution while remaining grounded in NephCure’s mission and history.