National Kidney Foundation of Illinois

09/11/2026

Meet runner, Mannie Zubia! 🏃
After donating a kidney to his mom in 2016, Mannie turned the experience into motivation to live with even more purpose. Today, he shares his journey as a kidney donor athlete through endurance running, training and empowering others to see what's possible after donation.
Join us in supporting Mannie at Bank of America Chicago Marathon on Sunday, 10/11!!

09/09/2026

Come hear from Dr. Jillian Merrick, PhD, at our family program, Sunday, September 13 @ Brookfield Zoo!

Dr. Merrick is the Solid Organ Transplant Psychologist at Lurie Children’s Hospital, supporting children and families through kidney, liver, and intestine transplantation with psychological assessment and intervention.

Her research explores risk and resilience in children with chronic medical conditions, including how parent experiences affect coping, adherence, wellbeing, and long-term outcomes.

Register today — https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/ev/reg/5n7bc84

09/08/2026

The FY2026 Annual Report is Here!
FY 2026 was a year of meaningful progress and collaboration across Illinois. Our achievements, detailed in this report, were made possible by the dedication of our board, donors, advocates, healthcare professionals, elected officials, ambassadors, community partners, volunteers, and staff. We are deeply grateful for your continued support.

National Kidney Foundation of Illinois' Annual Report for FY2026: April 2025 - March 2026

09/07/2026

Art therapy helps children & teens express themselves, connect with others, and explore their experiences through creativity. And no artistic skill is even required!

Our family program, Sunday, September 13 @ Brookfield Zoo, will be hosting an art therapy session led by Holly DeRosa, ATR-BC, LCPC & teams from Seasons Within LLC. Come give it a try!

Register today — https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/ev/reg/5n7bc84

09/04/2026

Beautiful story of three superhero living donors right here in Illinois!

Three people in Iroquois County can now call themselves living kidney donors.

It's something that's in high demand. As of July of this year, more than 95,000 people in the United States were waiting for a kidney transplant.

Read more using the link in our comments.

09/04/2026

Meet runner, Jill Powell🏃
Through her work with UNC Kidney Center, she’s seen how education and early screening can improve kidney health. Now, she’s running in the Bank of America Chicago Marathon to honor her late mom, a Chicago native. Every mile supports a healthier future for the kidney community.
Join us to cheer on Jill — Sunday, 10/11!

09/04/2026

Today is Polycystic Kidney Disease Awareness Day!
PKD is a genetic condition that causes cysts to grow in the kidneys and affects function overtime. Knowing your risk and getting screened can really make a difference!

Get a free screening at our next KidneyMobile®!

09/03/2026

On the next episode of The Journey Continues, hosts Monica Fox and Sara Jane Charles sit down with Jackie Burgess-Bishop, FACHE, who recently retired as CEO of the National Kidney Foundation of Illinois. Jackie reflects on her path from studying biology at Northwestern to leading one of Illinois' most vital health organizations, the obstacles she faced as a woman in STEM, how patient education and access to care have changed over her career, and what she hopes people remember most about her seven years at NKFI.

We also honor Dylan Richardson in our Donor Spotlight. Dylan was seven years old when he died from injuries sustained in a car crash in 2007. His parents, Dan and Lisa, made the decision to donate his organs — a choice that gave three people more time and made a superhero-loving little boy a hero in death.

Then, stick around for our P*E Break, where we look at Kidney Connections, NKFI's webinar and event series for people living with chronic kidney disease, transplant recipients, and their families. Join us October 24 for our free annual in-person event in Chicago's medical district, featuring expert panels, community partners, a recognition ceremony honoring living donors and transplant recipients, plus lunch and free parking. Register at nkfi.org.

Special thanks to Donate Life Illinois for making this show possible.

Watch The Journey Continues on CAN TV 19, cantv.org, the can tv+ app, and the CAN TV YouTube Channel. Also available wherever you listen to podcasts.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eURgQbmwIp8

On the next episode of The Journey Continues, hosts Monica Fox and ...

09/02/2026

Rumor has it a special zoo guest will be stopping by our family program…wonder who it will be?!

Come find out on Sunday, September 13, 2026 @ Brookfield Zoo. In the morning, you can meet other families, rotate through education stations, and chat over lunch. Then, spend the rest of the afternoon exploring the zoo (free of charge).

Register today — https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/ev/reg/5n7bc84

08/28/2026

There’s still time to run with Team Kidney! 5K spots are still available for the Life Time Chicago Fall Half Marathon & 5K on September 27. Join us to support kidney patients, families, education, screenings, and research.
Sign up today and make every mile count! — https://www.nkfi.org/chicago-fall-half