National Kidney Foundation of Illinois

NKFI is closed from December 25 to January 2 as we spend time with loved ones and prepare for the year ahead. We hope everyone has a happy holiday and a safe New Year. During this time, we look forward to supporting kidney patients and their families in 2025! If you have questions or seek information on kidney disease, kidney transplant, or resources, you can check our website at www.nkfi.org or call NKF Cares at 855-653-2273. If you are looking to donate, please visit our website at www.nkfi.org. Or you may send a check payable to the National Kidney Foundation of Illinois, 215 W. Illinois Street, Suite 1C, Chicago, IL 60654.

Thank you for another year of raising awareness in Illinois about kidney health! We wish you and yours a warm, happy holiday season. We look forward to continuing to further our mission with you in 2025! Happy holidays from all of us at the National Kidney Foundation of Illinois!

This week on #TheJourneyContinues podcast: Lisa Dodson has devoted her career to encouraging people to say yes to organ donation. Through a partnership with the Illinois High School Association, she’s empowering 16 and 17 year olds to make their own decisions about organ donation through the Drive for Life Act. In her personal life, Lisa is a proud donor wife. Listen now: https://lnkd.in/ev8rZkiA

Crain's Chicago Business named NKFI board Vice President Mark L Schwartz one of their Notable Nonprofit Board Leaders. The list highlights business leaders who lend their professional skills and connections to champion nonprofit missions and enrich our communities. Board President Brian O'Dea said, "On behalf of NKFI I am pleased and honored to congratulate Mark Schwartz for being recognized by Crain's as one of their Notable Nonprofit Board Leaders. Mark’s contributions can not be overstated, he and his family have been leaders at NKFI since inception. Mark's commitment to improving awareness, access to care, and quality of life for kidney patients is unsurpassed. NFKI is truly fortunate to have a caring, effective, and visionary leader willing to donate his time to our worthwhile cause. Thank you, Mark for all the time and talent you have devoted to NKFI. " Congratulations, Mark on this well-deserved honor! Read the profile here: https://lnkd.in/g5Gim5Xu

🎉 This year, our KidneyMobile team screened 1,696 people at 46 free kidney health screenings from March to November! 🩺 Early detection is key, and we’re proud to help our communities take charge of their health. We are so grateful for all of our KidneyMobile volunteers and partners who make it possible for us to screen people across the state year after year. We'll hit the road again on World Kidney Day, March 13. 2025 is the 20th anniversary of the KidneyMobile! We are excited to bring free screenings for kidney disease, diabetes and high blood pressure to even more communities next year.

This week on #TheJourneyContinues podcast: Gift of Hope Organ & Tissue Donor Network President and CEO Dr. Harry Wilkins is a trauma surgeon who became passionate about organ donation after hearing a mother’s painful story of loss. He shares what Gift of Hope is doing to maximize the gift from deceased donors and their families while working to end the wait times for those in need of a life-saving transplant. Listen now: https://lnkd.in/gw-mYk_t

Congratulations are in order to Juan Morado Jr. on being named one of Crain's Notable Latino Leaders! Juan's place on the list is well-deserved - he is professional, committed and focused. We are fortunate to have him as one of our Board Members! https://lnkd.in/gFQBsm6x

This week on The Journey Continues #podcast: #TeamKidney marathon runner Haley Sarff-DeLong has more experience with kidneys than most. Her father was on dialysis, she’s a pediatric transplant coordinator, and this year she became a living kidney donor! She leverages her personal experience to give her patients the best care possible. Listen now: https://lnkd.in/gqae3UNa

We are so grateful to all of the attendees, sponsors, supporters, and honorees for helping us make the 39th annual Gift of Life Gala on Saturday, November 2 a success! This monumental night in celebration of our 75th anniversary as an organization raised nearly $220k in vital funds for NKFI's lifesaving work.   Special thanks to LeeAnn Trotter from NBC5 for emceeing the event. Congratulations to the Illinois Public Health Association, Dr. Holly Kramer, IL State Christopher Belt, IL State Senator Mattie Hunter, and IL State Representative Maurice A. West II on their well-deserved awards. Check out and download photos from the event here: https://lnkd.in/gmSCHeHg

SSHCO attended the Gift of Hope Organ & Tissue Donor Network Open House on Tuesday, where our CEO, Kimberly Hobson, MBA, was honored to speak. The event took place at the Jackie D. Lynch building, named for a leader whose compassion and dedication helped shape Gift of Hope's mission. This historic building, once the site of Independence Bank—the first to provide loans to Black residents—is now home to SSHCO, Gift of Hope, the National Kidney Foundation of Illinois, and Chicago State University. We’re proud to have such inspiring neighbors in this iconic space! 💙 #HealthierSouthSide #NewBeginnings