The National Kidney Foundation Of Illinois’ Kidneymobile® Gets Moving On Kidney Disease Awareness With National Kidney Month This March, Providing Healthy Incentives At Cardinal Fitness And Special Chicagoan Appearances March 9, 2010

This March marks a significant month for raising awareness regarding an often overlooked and crucial organ, the kidneys. The National Kidney Foundation of Illinois (NKFI) encourages Chicagoans and area residents to celebrate National Kidney Month and National Kidney Day (March 11) with its KidneyMobile®. The week of celebration kicks off on Tuesday, March 9 and Wednesday, March 10, as locals are invited to visit various Chicago Cardinal Fitness locations for free health screenings and receive special offers from the gym promoting healthy, active lifestyles.

KidneyMobile® will be at Cardinal Fitness throughout the week of National Kidney Day (March 11). These specials appearances will be at the following Cardinal Fitness locations:

March 9 | Located at 3145 S. Ashland from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.

March 9 | Located at 1301 W. Madison from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m., this will be a screening only with KidneyMobile® experts

March 10 | Located at 3927 W. Belmont Avenue from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Participants will not only receive valuable insight on their kidney health receiving free blood pressure tests, BMI measurements, waist circumference analysis and educational tips, Cardinal Fitness will be offering guest passes and one-dollar to join offers among exciting giveways.

NKFI launched the nation’s first KidneyMobile® in November 2005, a custom mobile exhibit offering free prevention education and health screenings to Illinois communities in need. Kidney disease is a growing health problem in the United States, as recent studies on the prevalence of kidney disease estimate that 20 million people are at risk for kidney failure.

KidneyMobile®’s wheels continue to spin as NKFI presents a one-of-a-kind World Kidney Day experience on March 11 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Oak Forest Hospital Auditorium (15900 South Cicero Avenue, Oak Forest, IL). Participants will enjoy free, comprehensive screenings for high blood pressure, diabetes and chronic kidney disease, as well as healthy eating and exercise demonstrations. The guest list is sure to bring all of Chicago’s finest in celebration of this important day, in addition to a plethora of county legislators and Chicago elite, including Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White, Chief Medical Officer for Cook County and Hospitals System Dr. Terry Mason, Joe Harrington from the Chicago Department of Public Health and Rory Slater of the Illinois Department of Public Health who will all be in attendance for support of National Kidney Month.

For further information about the KidneyMobile experience, to stay updated on additional 2010 dates or to make a donation, please visit www.kidneymobile.org or call 312.321.1500. Please note that additional location dates will be added throughout the year.

Official Website: http://www.kidneymobile.org