The National Kidney Foundation of Illinois (NKFI) hosted its 36th Annual “Gift of Life Gala: Bridging The Gap Towards Kidney Health” on October 28 with 220 guests in attendance. The evening raised $200,000 to benefit the NKFI mission to improve the health and well-being of those at risk or affected by kidney disease. Chicago’s NBC5 Investigative Reporter Regina Waldroup hosted the program and NKFI presented Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) Director Dr. Ngozi O. Ezike with the “Gift of Life Award” in recognition of her resilient and compassionate leadership through the pandemic on behalf of the residents of the State of Illinois, in addition to her support of programs to engage residents in the awareness, education, prevention and early detection of kidney disease. Guests enjoyed cocktails, fundraising stations, trivia, a penny and wine toss, delicious dinner with kidney-friendly dishes, and music and entertainment by FAMOS! DJ Entertainment. Katten was the Corporate Partnership Award Honoree and Platinum sponsors of the event were Loyola Medicine and Nephrology Associates of Northern Indiana and Illinois. nkfi.org