Team Kidney - 2026 Chicago Marathon

I’m a transplant nurse navigator at the University of Chicago Medicine, where I have the privilege of helping patients move one step closer to receiving a life-changing kidney transplant. Every day, I witness the resilience of those living with kidney disease and the challenges they face while waiting for such a limited resource.

More than 37 million adults in the U.S. are living with chronic kidney disease, and over 90,000 people are waiting for a kidney transplant—many of whom may never receive one. These numbers aren’t just statistics to me; they represent the faces and stories of the patients and families I work with every day.

As a Family Nurse Practitioner student at Loyola University Chicago, my goal is to bridge the gap in transplant access and evaluation, ensuring that distance, resources, or awareness never stand between a patient and the care they deserve.

I’m running the 2026 Chicago Marathon with the National Kidney Foundation of Illinois to raise awareness and help close these gaps—one step at a time. Every mile is dedicated to the individuals still waiting, the families who have lost loved ones, and the hope that one day, no one will die waiting for a kidney.

Your donation will directly support programs that advance kidney health, expand access to care, and bring us closer to a world where everyone has the chance to thrive. Together, we can make a difference—one step, one kidney, and one life at a time.