History · The Noel Center · Staff · Board
In 1949, a group of parents desperate to find a way to keep their children from dying of childhood nephrosis formed an organization call the Chicago League for Nephritic Children. In the early 1960's, members of this organization joined forces with similar organizations throughout the country and chartered the Illinois affiliate of the National Kidney Foundation.
Over the last 50 years the NKFI has been instrumental in advocating for patient financial aid, standardized quality of care, and the availability of dialysis care to all citizens regardless of income. In 1967, through the NKFI educational efforts the Renal Disease Act was passed which provides financial assistance for patients to pay for dialysis. This act was the first of its kind and was later used as a national model for other states. In 1973, the NKFI raised awareness and advocated for the Federal Medicare End Stage Renal Disease Program and the Illinois Renal Disease Program. This Federal program covers 80 percent of dialysis and the state program covers the remaining 20 percent. In 1978, the NKFI was instrumental in the restoration and budget increase for the Illinois Renal Disease Program. In addition, NKFI assisted in the development of the Kidney/Dialysis Outcome Quality Initiatives (K/DOQI). The K/DOQI guidelines help assure that all dialysis centers operate according to specific performance and treatment standards for proper patient care.
Contact Us
National Kidney Foundation of Illinois
215 W. Illinois, Suite 1C
Chicago, Illinois 60610
(312) 321-1500
(312) 321-1505 fax