Silver Cross Founders Support Hospital’s Dialysis Program
The Will County Union of King’s Daughters and Sons recently gave the Silver Cross Foundation $13,625 to support Silver Cross Hospital’s acute kidney dialysis services . The funds will be used to purchase a new hemodialysis machine to safely care for Silver Cross Hospital’s inpatient dialysis patients.
The Will County Union of King’s Daughters and Sons recently purchased a new hemodialysis machine for Silver Cross Hospital’s acute kidney dialysis unit.
The Will County Union is part of the International Order of King’s Daughters and Sons, founded in New York in 1886, making it one of the oldest service organizations in the United States. This non-denominational Christian organization quickly grew across the country and around the world. Kidney disease is the 9th leading cause of death in the U.S. with more than 661,000 people treated for kidney failure and end-stage renal disease every year.
By 1890, there were circles across Illinois including Will County. Seeing the need for a hospital, a small group of women worked diligently to make this need a reality and opened the first Silver Cross Hospital in 1895 on the east side of Joliet. The hospital was named after the King’s Daughter’s emblem – the Maltese cross. The limestone emblem that once adorned the original hospital can be seen in the vestibule of the new Silver Cross Hospital in New Lenox.
Over the years, the King’s Daughters continued to support various initiatives including construction of the 2012 replacement hospital, including trunk shows held at the hospital throughout the year. Today, the King’s Daughter’s main focus is to support the acute dialysis program at Silver Cross Hospital donating, $512,000 over the past 30 years.
The King’s Daughters continue to remain active within Will County with two adult circles (Jennie Lee and Mabel Fox) and one junior circle. The junior circle offers a unique opportunity for young people to learn about volunteering. Members meet monthly to work on projects such as making lap robes for dialysis patients and to share Bible study, devotions and fellowship. Board members of the Will County Union’s Branch include New Lenox resident Rita Larson and Joliet resident Karla Farr (Co-Presidents); Joliet residents Linda Emmert and Peggy Parthun, (Co-Vice Presidents); Plainfield resident Karen Columbo, (Secretary); and Lockport resident Sue Gonzalez (Treasurer). For more information about the King’s Daughters, visit www.iokds.org or call Volunteer Services at Silver Cross Hospital at 815-300-7117. New members welcome.
