March 28, 2024
Features | Herald-News


Features

Founders of Silver Cross Hospital in New Lenox 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 buy a new hemodialysis machine to safely care for the hospital's inpatient dialysis patients.

Kidney disease is the ninth-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.

The Will County Union is part of the International Order of King’s Daughters and Sons, founded in 1886 in New York, making it one of the oldest service organizations in the U.S. This non-denominational Christian organization quickly grew across the country and around the world.

By 1890, there were circles across Illinois, including Will County. Seeing the need for a hospital, a small group of women diligently worked to make the 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 Daughters' 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 and trunk shows held at the hospital throughout the year.

Today, the King’s Daughters' 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 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 information about the King's Daughters, visit www.iokds.org or call volunteer services at Silver Cross Hospital at 815-300-7117.