[The following is a paid advertisement.]

The Illinois Kidney Care Alliance (IKCA) is a coalition of organizations, community groups and advocates, health professionals, and businesses from across our state advocating for some of Illinois’ most vulnerable people — those who are living with kidney failure, and their families.

In Illinois, some 30,000 people are currently on life-saving dialysis or awaiting a transplant. Approximately 59% of dialysis patients in Illinois are people of color. The incidence rate of kidney failure is expected to rise in the U.S. over the next decade – and is higher among African-Americans, Latinos and people of color than among whites.

The Illinois Kidney Care Alliance supports and helps craft public policy that protects those suffering from kidney failure, ensuring that patients’ needs come first. The well-being of patients and their families is our top concern. For more information, follow us on Twitter, like us on Facebook, and visit our website.