Organization promotional flyer Students for H.O.P.E.
Saint Xavier University’s (SXU) Students for H.O.P.E. organization will host a Free Kidney and Diabetes Screening on Tuesday, April 8, 2025. The organization collaborated with the National Kidney Foundation of Illinois (NKFI) to make this event possible.
“Students for H.O.P.E. is a national network of student organizations founded by the Maddog Strong Foundation” and their mission is to “inspire the next generation of organ and tissue donation advocates by providing education, promoting donor registration, and encouraging conversations about this life-saving topic,” said Cyndi Grobmeier, Ed.D, Director of Faculty Development.
According to Grobmeier “Most people do not think about organ and tissue donation and transplantation until it directly touches their lives. But with over 100,000 people waiting on a life-saving organ transplant, and with 13 people dying each day in the U.S. still waiting, it is a topic that is touching all of us. We need to engage in conversations about this topic so together, we can help save lives.”
The screening will occur from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. at the Warde Academic Center (WAC) in a KidneyMobile vehicle. Participants must be 18 or over to apply for a screening.
To register for the screening, participants are asked to visit the NKFI’s website and complete the attached questionnaire before their appointment. Walk-ins are also welcomed.
Participants may also scan the QR code to register below:
The National Kidney Foundation of Illinois
“The goal of the KidneyMobile® is to identify kidney disease and its causes early so that people can prevent kidney failure and avoid dialysis,” according to the NKFI.
The organization is asking for volunteers to help out at their event. There are no requirements to be a volunteer.
Volunteers will be asked to help with one of the following; checking blood pressure, blood glucose, and Body Mass Index/Waist Circumference, a Urinalysis, Blood Draw, Private Consultations, or assisting participants with registration.
Volunteer expectations and responsibilities include; arriving at the screening approximately 45 minutes before the scheduled time of the event ready to work, and wearing business casual attire or scrubs. Volunteers will be assigned a specific area to assist in and will be trained in that area on the day of the screening.
“NKFI actually requires volunteer support before they commit to hosting a screening, which is reasonable given the significant amount of time and resources it takes to engage in this work,” explained Grobmeier.
Grobmeier believes that hosting this event at SXU can benefit nursing, pre-med, and exercise students by providing them an opportunity for community service related to the professional field they are studying for. Although this event is health-related, students of other majors are also welcomed to volunteer.
“Learning about running a large-scale event can benefit communication and business majors. And volunteer work is always an important piece for every college student’s resume.” said Grobmeier.
“We wanted to make our organization more present on campus, as well as get our message across. We figured that a great way to do this was to host an event where students can learn about organ and tissue donation, as well as receive care themselves, as we feel this would further demonstrate the positive nature of what our organization stands for and spreads awareness about,” shared John McNamara, Vice President of Students for H.O.P.E.
This is the organization’s first event of the ‘24-’25 school-year, however, they have previously held tables at the Resident Student Organization (RSO) fairs to spread awareness about organ donation and to fight against any misconceptions about organ donations, according to Giuliana Islas, Orientation & Belonging Coord.
The organization is currently in the process of planning more events to work with local health-based facilities.
“We have ideas for a variety of possible events that are not set in stone yet, such as a bake sale, various arts-and-crafts activities, hosting events where we have guest speakers who have direct experience with organ and tissue donation, such as donor families and recipients,” explained McNamara.
To share ideas for events, join the organization or for further information on Students for H.O.P.E., contact hope.sxu@gmail.com or visit the SXU Den.
For further information pertaining to the National Kidney Foundation of Illinois visit, nkfi.org.