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 60654
PHONE:(312) 321-1500
FAX:(312) 321-1505

The NKFI supports professionals with its Scientific Advisory Board (formerly the Medical Advisory Board) for nephrologists, professional council groups, continuing education for primary care providers and funding for medical research.

The NKFI educates and serves dialysis patients, transplant recipients and those individuals in the early stages of chronic kidney disease. Special programs are also available for kids with kidney disease.

The NKFI is a grateful recipient of the financial support of individuals, corporations and foundations. Your gift of money or time helps us continue and extend our vital work.

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 Gala - Fête de la Vie!
Saturday, November 15, 2008
The Hyatt Regency Chicago, Club 151
151 East Wacker Drive
Chicago, Illinois

Join us for a magical evening of progressive entertainment, dancing, casino, silent auction and fabulous French food and wines! Connie Payton, along with her family will be honored with the 2008 Gift of Life Award for carrying on the work of her late husband and Chicago football great, Walter Payton, in supporting organ donor awareness and the Illinois Secretary of State's Organ Donor Registry.

For sponsorship and ticket information, please click here. For general information, please contact Katherine Woerner at 312.321.1500 x238 or via email to kwoerner@nkfi.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!

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Upcoming Events & Programs

"Lifetime of Service" Award
September 25, 2008 - 6:00pm - 8:30pm
East Bank Club
500 North Kingsbury
Chicago, Illinois

From time to time, the National Kidney Foundation of Illinois 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. The Scientific Advisory Board of the NKFI is pleased to present the 2008 Lifetime of Service Award to George Dunea, MD. 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 Diane Hollingsworth at 312.321.1500 x226 or via email to dhollingsworth@nkfi.org.

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.

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

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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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