The National Kidney Foundation of Illinois (NKFI), a major voluntary health organization, seeks to prevent kidney and urinary tract diseases, improve the health and well-being of individuals and families affected by these diseases, and increase the availability of all organs for transplantation. The red "thread of life" element woven throughout this website visually depicts the connections that the NKFI continues to provide for patients, families, transplant recipients, healthcare professionals, Illinois communities and organizations.

Learn more about the National Kidney Foundation of Illinois

For more information: kidney@nkfi.org

215 West Illinois, Suite 1C
Chicago, IL 60610
PHONE:(312) 321-1500
FAX:(312) 321-1505

Healthcare Professionals Patients & Families Giving to NKFI

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FREE KIDNEY DISEASE, HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE AND DIABETES SCREENINGS!

The National Kidney Foundation of Illinois offers FREE comprehensive screenings for kidney disease, high blood pressure, and diabetes through the KidneyMobile. For a complete list of screening locations and dates, please visit www.kidneymobile.org.

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Gift of Life Walk a Huge Success!
Soldier Field, Chicago

This year's Gift of Life Walk and Family Health Fair was a great success for the National Kidney Foundation of Illinois! More than 1,300 people enjoyed a beautiful day and walk along the lakefront. Participants were treated to delicious refreshments provided by Trader Joe's, exciting entertainment from Famos and Bizar, fun for the kids, including a hula hoop demonstration (300 hoops were distributed to the crowd!) and an informative health fair that focused on prevention and healthy lifestyles. Many thanks to Baxter for their continued generosity as a lead sponsor, as well as for encouraging more than 500 employees to attend and support the Walk!

The Walk has grown significantly since its inception nine years ago, both in the number of people participating and the tremendous fundraising that supports prevention and education programs and organ donation initiatives. It would not be the success it is today without the thousands of walkers who have raised funds and awareness, sponsors who have supported the health fair and refreshments, organizations who have donated their time and the volunteers whose enthusiasm helped it all come together. From everyone at the National Kidney Foundation of Illinois, thank you!

Check back soon - highest fundraisers, as well as final Walk income figures, will be posted!

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Here's What People Are Saying about Recent NKFI Events

Controversies in Nephrology - Debating the Issues
Thursday, April 17, 2008
Maggiano's
Chicago, Illinois

At this year's Controversies in Nephrology the debate topics were: "The current UNOS deceased donor allocation policy should be revised to increase the "net lifetime survival benefit" and "Continuous Renal Replacement Therapy should be used rather than intermittent hemodialysis in acute kidney injury." Teams from the University of Chicago, Rush University, Northwestern University and Loyola University debated both the pros and cons of each topic. The winner of the first debate was Rush Univiersity with the University of Chicago coming in second. And the winner of the second debate was Loyola University with Northwestern University placing second. Congratulations to all involved!

Attendees found the evening "...interesting...thought provoking" and "...a most diverse group of doctors and very well attended".

"Great format! I look forward to the next debate. I love that you included the four schools - created real heart!"

"Excellent concept for information, great experience for Fellows"

For information on the topics discussed or on next year's event, please contact Diane Hollingsworth at 312.321.1500 x226 or via email to dhollingsworth@nkfi.org

Living With Transplantation
Saturday, April 19, 2008
Marriott Oak Brook
Oak Brook, Illinois

"Just wanted to say that you did a great job with the meeting last Saturday.  The main speakers were informative, the main room worked well for the exhibitors and lunch and the breakout sessions were close and had enough room.  I know it takes alot of work but I noticed a lot of people were very pleased.   Great job."

"My husband and I attended this as our first Transplantation Day. I want to tell you I was so impressed with the whole day! You and your staff obviously put in a lot of work to get this accomplished. Thank you so much!"

"Thank you for a truly great series of presentations at this year's conference. I received my living donor kidney in Dec. 2006, but could not attend last year's program due to a scheduling conflict. I thoroughly enjoyed the program offerings I attended: Healthy Lifestyles, Immunosuppressant, and Kelly's " The Climb of My Life". I witnessed a lot of tears during Kelly's presentation. By the way, I also thoroughly enjoyed meeting and talking with people at my assigned table. I think some friendships were made there yesterday. Once again, my heartfelt thanks for all you have done for me and for all of us "transplant-ees" in putting together tremendous programs"

For information on other transplant and organ donor awareness programs, please contact Mary Schlereth at 312.321.1500 x246 or via email to mschlereth@nkfi.org.

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Upcoming Events & Programs

4th Annual Middle Market Open™ Golf Tournament
Monday, July 28, 2008
Olympia Fields Country Club
Olympia Fields, Illinois

Don't miss your chance to participate in what has quickly become the premier charity golf event of the Chicago financial community! For all the details and to register on line, go to www.middlemarketopen.com.

Bank of America Chicago Marathon
Sunday, October 12, 2008
Grant Park
Chicago, Illinois

For the first time, the National Kidney Foundation of Illinois plans to participate in the 2008 Bank of America Chicago Marathon as an Associated Charity. But we need your help! Please click here for more information.

Preparing for Transplantation
Saturday, October 25, 2008
Marriott Midway
Chicago, Illinois

An educational program for individuals interested in kidney, pancreas, liver, heart or lung transplantation. Topics typically include information regarding financial and insurance considerations, the transplant waiting list, life after transplant and a patient panel/question and answer session. For more information, please contact Diane Hollingsworth at 312.321.1500 x226 or via email to dhollingsworth@nkfi.org.

Springfield Patient Education Day
October, 2008
Memorial Medical Center - Wedeberg Conference Center
Springfield, Illinois

This educational program offers information for individuals living in central Illinois who are considering transplantation as a treatment option for kidney failure. Several health professionals will cover topics such as "Is Kidney Transplantation Right For Me?", the organ donor waiting list, the role of the organ procurement organization, and living donation. For more information, please contact Diane Hollingsworth at 312.321.1500 x226 or via email to dhollingsworth@nkfi.org.

"Lifetime of Service" Award
Fall, 2008 - 5:30pm - 8:30pm
Location TBD

From time to time, the NKFI honors physicians and other healthcare professionals who work in the fields of nephrology and transplantation and who have made significant contributions to their profession over the course of their careers. Past "Lifetime of Service" Award honorees have included Norman Simon, MD, Marshall Lindheimer, MD, Adrian Katz, MD, Jessie Hano, MD, Todd Ing, MD, and Frank Stuart, MD. For more information, please contact Kate O'Connor at 312.321.1500 x228 or via email to koconnor@nkfi.org.

Multi-Disciplinary Clinical Conference
November 5, 2008 - 8:30am - 3:00pm
Hyatt Lodge at McDonald's Campus
2815 Jorie Boulevard
Oakbrook, Illinois

The purpose of the Multi-Disciplinary Clinical Conference is to provide renal professionals, mainly nurses, dietitians, social workers and technicians, with the opportunity to network with others and to attend a variety of comprehensive workshops, which focus on the challenging and ever-changing arena of caring for kidney patients. For more information, please contact Diane Hollingsworth at 312.321.1500 x226 or via email to dhollingsworth@nkfi.org.

23rd Annual Gift of Life Gala
Saturday, November 15, 2008
Hyatt Regency Chicago
Chicago, Illinois

The Gift of Life Gala is always a wonderful opportunity to join a unique party that connects the worlds of kidney disease, diabetes, organ donation, and transplantation. Past recipients of the “Gift of Life” award include former Secretary of State George M. Ryan, news anchor and film producer Bill Kurtis, Baxter Healthcare, the Gift of Hope Organ & Tissue Donor Network, Abbott and Secretary of State Jesse White.  25% of gala proceeds go directly to fund important research in Illinois. Celebrate with our partners who help us lead the way! For more information, please contact Katherine Woerner at 312-321-1500 x238 or via email to kwoerner@nkfi.org.

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Connections - The official newsletter of the National Kidney Foundation of Illinois

The Fall/Winter 2007 issue of Connection is off the press! Please click here for a PDF of the newsletter. Or to request a hard copy, please call the NKFI office at 312-321-1500.
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Looking for a job in the renal field?

Click here to visit the Kidney Career Center on the National Kidney Foundation website.

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