Team Notes

April 12, 2010

Dear Team IL:

Thanks to everyone who came out on Saturday to Living With and Preparing For Transplantation. It was great to see familiar faces as well as meeting new team members.

I hope to see alot of you this weekend at the April 18th Fundraiser at the Hawthorne Racetrack! RSVP to Janice Gill by tonight so she can mail your tickets. A separate email with details was just sent.

With 108 days until opening ceremonies, just a few notes to keep you informed!

Basketball and Volleyball Tryouts

Don't forget tryouts on Saturday, April 24th! Tryout information has been posted to the Team IL website and social site.

Medical Waivers for Recipient Athletes and Living Donors (attached)

Please note this form NEEDS to be completed by transplant recipients AND living donors who are participating in the Games.

I strongly urge those who need to complete the form to get them to Nicole before June 11th so that if there is an error or missing information, we can return it to you in time for you to go back to your doctor and have the form fixed and approved. Once June 11th passes if there is any information that is not filled in correctly, YOU WILL NOT be able to participate in your athletic events. This is a rule set by Nationals and one that will be strictly adhered to by the Team IL Leadership Team.

Waivers can be faxed to Nicole Sisen at 312-321-1505 or mailed (215 W. Illinois, Suite 1C, Chicago, 60654). Please email her before you fax or mail her the waiver so she can keep an eye out for it.

A few things to note:

· The form must be clear and written legibly.

· The entire form must be completed. There is one spot on the form that everyone has missed. Your physician must circle the letter A, B or C indicating restrictions. They must AGAIN fill in the letter A, B, or C above their signature line.

· Physician information must be completed in full detail.

· Your team name is: Team Illinois

· Your team manger is: Mary Schlereth

REGISTRATION

Prices for registration will go up again on Saturday, May 1! Registration closes on May 21.

UNIFORM PICK UP: Sunday, June 27th

Uniform pick up will take place at the National Kidney Foundation's Gift of Life Walk at Solider Field Great Lawn in Chicago starting at 9am(and going until 11:30am). Uniforms will not be mailed. You can check the Team IL social site to see if there is anyone in your area who you can carpool with or who would be kind enough to pick your uniform up for you. Team Illinois will be recognized during the kickoff to the Walk, so make sure to wear your blue and orange!

If you have not yet ordered your uniform please do so ASAP. You will not be able to order uniform pieces after May 21.

Miscellaneous Messages from Nationals:

U.S. TRANSPLANT GAMES' CREATIVE PROJECT
We are working on a special project and would appreciate your feedback! Please take a minute and brainstorm what word comes to mind to describe each of the following:

1. Transplant Games
2. Transplant Recipient/Transplant Athlete
3. Living Donor/Living Donor Athlete
4. Donor Family
5. Team Manager

Please email Liz Johnson (Liz.Johnson@KIDNEY.ORG) one word for each category by Friday, April 16th.

TALENT CALL OUT
We are starting the search for our 2010 Transplant Games performers!

"COMING TO MADISON THIS SUMMER AND WANT TO SHARE YOUR MUSICAL TALENT?

At every U.S. Transplant Games, the National Kidney Foundation invites musical talents with a close organ transplant connection to perform at the opening and closing ceremonies of the event. Entries are limited to people who are already planning on going to the Games (entrants do not have to be athletes) as NKF will not be able to pay for travel expenses.

Here's a few options on ways to enter the talent search:
- You can upload a video of you performing on YouTube or simply create an audio recording and e-mail the link or file to: bryanv@kidney.org
- You can record your song and send a CD to: Bryan Van Steenbergen, National Kidney Foundation, 30 East 33rd Street, New York, NY 10016

* ALL ENTRIES ARE DUE BY Friday, MAY 7"

SHARING & SUPPORT
Thanks so much to those of you who have submitted transplant stories so far and we hope to get even more! Please be sure to visit the sharing page on our website at http://www.kidney.org/news/tgames2010/Resources/sharing/index.cfmwhereyou and your team members can view and submit transplant stories, videos, book reviews and poems, contribute to message boards, connect with transplant family members and more.

February 2, 2010

Tuesday, February 2, 2010

Dear Team Illinois Friends:

The day everyone has to patiently been waiting for is near! Registration for the 2010 Games will officially open next Monday!

Personally, I like to have as much information as possible before I head into something, so I have provided you with as much information as I can to help you to start thinking about registration before it opens. Please read thoroughly and contact me with any questions.

Go Team IL!

Mary Schlereth
Team Illinois Manager

TYPES OF GAMES PARTICIPANTS:

Athletes:
1. Transplant Recipient: An individual who received an eligible lifesaving organ transplant on or before October 30, 2009 with stable graft function and be medically fit. (Primary Team Member)

2. Living Donor: A living person who donated an organ and/or part of an organ to another person on or before October 30, 2009. Living Donors may compete in an Open age division in the 5K Road Race and the 100 Meter Run, Softball Throw and Long Jump (Primary Team Member)

Non-Athletes:
1. Donor Family: A family member or friend of someone who donated organs or tissues at the time of death. (Primary Team Member)

2. Living Donor: A living person who has donated an organ and/or part of an organ to another person and is NOT competing in the Games. (Primary Team Member)

3. Transplanted Supporter or Transplant Candidate: A transplant recipient who is NOT competing in the Games and/or has received a transplant after October 30, 2009. (Primary Team Member)

4. Supporter: Family member/friend of athletes/living donors OR an individual who does not fit into any of the other categories. (Support Team Member)

5. Donation and Transplantation Professionals (Support Team Member)

REGISTRATION:

REGISTRATION FOR THE 2010 GAMES WILL OPEN ON
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2010 AT 10AM EST.

To become an official participant of U.S. 2010 Games and Team Illinois the process will involve three steps in the following order:

1.     Log onto www.transplantgames.org to register as Recipient Athlete, Recipient Spectator, Living Donor Athlete, Living Donor Spectator, Donor Family Member, Supporter
a.    Recipients must have been most recently transplanted for at least nine months, with stable graft function and be medically fit.
b.    Entries for sporting events will be processed on a first-come, first-served basis. When the maximum number is reached, no additional entries will be allowed. No sport entry changes will be made after the registration deadline, no exceptions.
c.     Recipients will be allowed to enter a total for four events. The 5K Road Race and all team events (basketball, volleyball, team golf, road race team, and swimming and track & field events) do not count toward the four event limit.
d.    Upgrades that can be added to your event registration:
                                          i.    Grab & Go Lunch Plan: Lunches distributed on Sunday, August 1 thru Tuesday, August 3rd from 6:30 am – 9:30 am at the Alliant Energy Center. Lunch plan menu is attached. $42
                                         ii.    Games Transportation Pass: This pass will allow you to access the shuttle transportation between the Alliant Energy Center and Games venues and hotels. The Games shuttle service will be complimentary to individuals who register for the Games and book their hotel reservations through the Games registration site. (Up to four guests per room. Guests must be listed on the registration). $40
                                        iii.    5K Race for Organ and Tissue Donation Awareness: Saturday, July 31st. $20 (After July 16, 2010-$30)
                                        iv.    Donor-Recipient Golf Outing: Wednesday, August 4th. Registration fee (per golfer) includes green fees, golf cart and lunch. Transportation is not included. $70 (space is limited)

MAKE SURE TO SAVE YOUR CONFIRMATION NUMBERS!!!

REIGSTRATION FEES ARE NON-REFUNDABLE!
Make sure to read all the payment information!

2.     Immediately after registering for your events, follow the link to reserve your hotel room.
a.    Games shuttle service will be complimentary to individuals who register for the Games and book their hotel reservations thru the Games registration. Guests must be listed on the registration
b.    The Housing Connection (THC) will serve as the official Registration and Housing Bureau for the Games. If you experience any challenges while registering, please contact THC at

The Housing Connection
175 South West Temple, Suite 140
Salt Lake City, UT 84101
Customer Service Call Center: 801.505.4133, 800.TX.GAMES
Fax: 801.355.0250
Business Hours: 7am – 6pm, Mountain Standard Time

MAKE SURE TO SAVE YOUR CONFIRMATION NUMBER!!

HOTEL CANCELLATIONS WILL BE SUBJECT TO FEES.
Fees are listed in the payment section of registration.

3.     Order your uniform at www.team-illinois.org
a.    Team IL uniforms will ONLY be provided to Primary Team Members (organ recipients, living donors and deceased organ donor family members).
b.    Certain uniform pieces can be purchased for friends or family members.

ATHLETES: MEDICAL WAIVERS
Individuals who have donated or received a lifesaving organ or bone marrow for transplant on or before October 30, 2009 are eligible to compete in this year’s Games with medical approval from your physicians. Since the medical waiver may not be completed prior to March 30, 2010, the form waiver will be available to you at the end of March.

YOUTH PROGRAM SCHEDULE
Attached is a Games schedule that has been modified to highlight the activities for registrants (athletes and non-athletes) 17 years of age and younger.

TEAM PHOTO & CHECK –IN APPOINTMENTS: Saturday, July 31 @ 11 am
On site, team photos and attendee check-in are conducted by appointment. Team Illinois will check in and then have our Team Photo taken on Saturday, July 31st at 11am. More information to come.

TEAM TAILGATE PARTY: Saturday. July 31st 4-6 pm
Before the Opening Ceremonies, all Teams wills gather together for food and celebration. The cost of the Team Tailgate is included in your registration fee. Last minute announcements regarding Team events will also be made.

OPENING CEREMONIES: Saturday. July 31st 7-9 pm
Please take note that transplant recipients, living donors and donor families participate in the procession during the Opening Ceremony. An official team uniform will be worn for the Ceremony, which you’ll get at uniform pick up!

Only Primary Team Members will be permitted in the marshalling area. All other attendees will be directed to spectator seating. Children 13 years and under may be accompanied by a parent or guardian in the procession, at the discretion of the Team Manager.

DECEASED DONOR TRIBUTES & LIVING DONOR TRIBUTES
During the registration process, donor families and family members/friend of Living Donors are invited to submit a written tribute to your loved one who gave the gift of life. Tributes will be published in the 2010 NKF U.S. Transplant Games Souvenir Program. Tributes must be 200 characters or less.

Only on tribute can be permitted per donor. Please work with family members and/or friends attending the Games to write one tribute for your loved one. All tributes must be received by May 31, 2010

WORKSHOPS FOR DONOR FAMILY MEMBERS WHILE AT THE GAMES
Embracing The Thank You
Finding Your Way Along the Grief Journey: What Helps When It Hurts?
Getting Started: How Do We Make A Quilt Square?
Understanding Brain Death And Donation
Movement For Mind, Body And Spirit
Helping Children Grieve
The Power Of "People Like Us" - Advocating With Lawmakers Using
Our Hands To Heal Our Hearts
Your Loved One's Grief: Understanding Tissue Donation
Writing Your Way Through Grief And Loss
Just For Men: The Masculine Side Of Healing
Sharing Your Story To Help End The Wait
The Donor Recognition Ceremony will be held on Monday, August 2nd from 2:00– 4pm at the
Monona Terrace Community and Convention Center

WORKSHOPS FOR LIVING DONORS WHILE AT THE GAMES
Hot Topics in Living Donation
The Power of People Like Us - Advocating With Lawmakers
Sharing Groups
After The Donation: Now What?
Sharing Your Story to Help "End The Wait"
The Living Donor Recognition Event will be held on Sunday, August 1 from 3:00-4:30 pm at the
Monona Terrace Community and Convention Center

RESERVATIONS FOR CAMPING & R/Vs
Camping and R/V hookups, with complimentary 24-hour restroom/shower facilities (ADA accessible) are available on the Alliant Energy Center grounds from July 30th thru noon on August 4, 2010. Camping sites are assigned on a first-come, first-served basis. Attached is the reservation form. Note: No phone reservations will be accepted.

SAVE THE DATE FOR UNIFORM PICK UP: Sunday, June 27th
Uniforms will be distributed on Sunday, June 27th. Uniforms will not be mailed, so please make the necessary arrangements to be present. More information to come.

SAVE THE DATE: BASKETBALL & VOLLEYBALL TRYOUTS: April 24th 2-4pm
Due to the overwhelming interest for participation on our basketball and volleyball team, try outs will be held. This will be the ONLY tryout date, so please make sure you are stretched and ready to go!
·         Glenbard South High School: 23W200 Butterfield Road, Glen Ellyn.
·         Be on the look out for an email from our Athletic Coordinator, Nicole Sisen.

FUNDRAISING
Continue to help Team Illinois raise funds so we can provide every Primary Team Member with a uniform. If everyone helps raise $100, it would be greatly appreciated! On-line donations can be made at www.firstgiving.com/teamillinois or donations mailed directly to the National Kidney Foundation of Illinois. We also have our sponsorship from (attached) that can be used to solicit donations from local businesses. All checks should be made out to NKFI: TEAM IL.

We are working on having one final fundraising event in the next few months. Once more information becomes available, I will share it and encourage everyone to bring family members and friends as we make one final push to raise the necessary funds for the Team expenses.

Misc. Upcoming Events that may interest you:

For Donor Family Members: “Communicating and Connecting with Recipients (or not)”: February 25th 6-7:30 (CST)
The National Kidney Foundation’s “People Like Us” is offering monthly Coffee House Conversation telephone forums. On this particular call, donor family members will learn about communicating with organ or tissue transplant recipients. Informational flyer and registration information attached.

NKFI: Living Well...With Your Transplant: Saturday, March 20, 2010
Northern Illinois University Conference Center
8500 East State Street | Rockford, Illinois
Living Well...With Your Transplant is an informative program and networking opportunity for transplant recipients, transplant candidates and their family members, care givers and friends. Presentations include: Healthy You: Bones, Body & Heart; Travel Tips; Health Wellness & the Spirit; and New Developments in Transplant. The National Kidney Foundation of Illinois and the National Kidney Foundation of Wisconsin are pleased to present this program along with the American Liver Foundation - Great Lakes Division and Transplant Wisconsin. For more information, please contact Diane Hollingsworth at 312.321.1500 x226 or via email to dhollingsworth@nkfi.org.

NKFI: Living With Transplantation & Preparing for Transplantation
Saturday, April 10 8am - 3pm
Marriott O'Hare
8535 West Higgins Road
Chicago, IL 60631
Living With Transplantation & Preparing for Transplantation is an educational event for all organ transplant recipients, as well as those who are waiting or contemplating a transplant of all organ types. This event typically has break out sessions on information including maintaining transplants for as long as possible; discussion on the pre-transplant workup; post-transplant lifestyle; and financial considerations for patients who have had a transplant and those who are waiting. Special guest speaker will be Chris Klug, Olympic Bronze Medalist and liver recipient! For more information, please log onto www.nkfi.org or contact Diane Hollingsworth at 312.321.1500 x226.

DONATE LIFE NIGHT at the CHICAGO SLAUGHTER: April 24
Team Illinois will be partnering with Donate Life Illinois for Donate Life Night with the Chicago Slaughter (indoor football league)! Come out to support National Donate Life Month!! They are reserving a section for all Donate Life Supporters, but if you really, really want to sit next to a particular group of friends, I would suggest one person be the point person, collect everyone’s money and make one reservation, rather than numerous people sending in their money at different times. Make sure to stop by the Donate Life Illinois table to meet Morgan D’Organ and maybe shake hands with IL Secretary of State Jesse White!

**** All these events (and more) have been posted on the Team IL Social Site*****

Janurary 25, 2010

Below is information I received from Nationals today. Please read and respond as necessary. More information regarding the official opening of registration will be emailed at the end of next week.

ATTENDEE PROFILES Urgent and Important Request - by February 1, 2010.
It is important for Nationals to receive interesting athlete, living donor and donor stories, which helps put a face on organ donation, transplantation and the Games. Please submit your profiles on the Games Web site. To fill out and submit the form, you can simply go to www.transplantgames.org and click on athlete, living donor or donor family profile form. Your submission could be selected and used to be featured in a Games media story and/or the program's home page. Submissions are needed by February 1, 2010!

BALLROOM DANCING POLL - Response needed by this Friday, January 29th

Due to the limited number of entries for the demonstration event for Ballroom Dancing and the seemingly overwhelmingly positive feedback from managers, I need to supply Nationals with a number of people are seriously interested in competing in this event. Ballroom dancing will take place on Friday, July 30th from 7:30-9pm. At least one dancer in the pair must be a transplant recipient. Judging will be based solely on the performance of the athlete. Partners may be mixed or of the same gender and any age. Each competitor's performance must be choreographed and between 1 1/2 to 2 1/2 minutes in the categories of Latin, Smooth or Nightclub (check the Team IL website for examples of a type of dance within each category).

If you are seriously considering participating in ballroom dancing, please email by this Friday with:

1. your name

2. your dancing partner's name

3. dance category you plan on participating in

MEDICAL WAIVER - Coming March 29, 2010
Individuals who have donated or received a lifesaving organ or bone marrow for transplant on or before October 30, 2009 are eligible to compete in this years Games with medical approval from their physicians. Since the medical waiver may not be complete prior to March 30, 2010, the form waiver will be available at the end of March.

RESERVATIONS FOR CAMPING & R/Vs
Camping and R/V hookups, with complimentary 24-hour restroom/shower facilities (ADA accessible) are available on the Alliant Energy Center grounds from July 30th thru noon on August 4, 2010. Camping sites are assigned on a first-come, first-served basis. Click here for the reservation form. Note: No phone reservations will be accepted.

TEAM ILLINOIS SOCIAL SITE

A lot of new potential Team Members have joined the site, so make sure you go on and say hello! A Team Member is interested in setting up a bike ride for all those interested in cycling and someone is looking for a workout partner. This is be a great site for you to utilize as we prepare for Madison!

Please email me with any questions.

Mary Schlereth

Team Illinois Manager

January 21, 2010

Registration:

Registration will open on Monday, February 8th for the 2010 U.S. Transplant Games!! I don't have all the details right now, but just wanted to let you know since I've received numerous emails and phone calls regarding registration.

To become an official participant of Team Illinois and U.S. 2010 Games, the process will involve three steps:

1. Register your participation thru the U.S. Transplant Games website (Recipient Athlete, Recipient Spectator, Living Donor Athlete, Living Donor Spectator, Donor Family Member)

2. Reserve your hotel thru the U.S. Transplant Games website

** When you register your participation in the Games AND reserve your hotel thru the Games website, your transportation for the shuttle will be included. If you have gone ahead and reserved your room at a Games Hotel, you will need to purchase a transportation pass.***

3. Order your Team Uniform on the Team Illinois Website. Reminder: Team IL uniforms will ONLY be provided to Primary Team Members (organ recipients, living donors and deceased organ donor family members). Select uniform pieces will be available for purchase for any family member or friend who are interested.

More information will follow within the next week regarding registration.

Recipient Athletes:

From the 2010 U.S. Transplant Games Handbook and same information that was shared at the Info-Shares:

Recipients must have been most recently transplanted for at least nine months, with stable graft function and be medically fit.
Recipients must be medically approved by their physician to compete and turn in a properly and completed medical waiver. More information on Medical Waivers will be shared prior to the opening of registration.
Entries for sporting events will be processed on a first-come, first-served basis. When the maximum number is reached, no additional entries will be allowed. No sport entry changes will be made after the registration deadline, no exceptions.
Will be allowed to enter a total for four events. The 5K Road Race and all team events (basketball, volleyball, team golf, road race team, and swimming and track & field events) do not count toward the four event limit.

Save the Date for Basketball and Volleyball Tryouts: Due to the overwhelming interest for participation on our basketball and volleyball team, try outs will be held. Save the date for Saturday, April 24th (exact location and time TBD). This will be the ONLY tryout date, so please make sure you are stretched and ready to go! More details regarding tryouts will come from Nicole Sisen, the Team Illinois Athletic Coordinator.

Living Donors: New This Year!

As mentioned at the Info-shares, living donors will be able to participate against one another in three athletic events this year: 100 M dash, long jump and ball throw; this is in addition to the 5K Race for Organ/Tissue Donation and the Ballroom Dancing (as long as one participant is an athlete).

Donor Family Members

You will be able to participate in the Open Ceremonies, 5K Race for Organ/Tissue Donation, Donor Family Workshops, the Donor Recognition Ceremony and Ballroom Dancing (as long as one participant is an athlete). I also encourage you to come and out cheer on all the Team Illinois athletes in their competitive events.

The National Donor Quilt will be on display at Monona Terrace during the Transplant Games. If you are interested you may make a quilt square for your loved on to be placed on the National Donor Quilt. Any questions regarding Donor Family events at the Transplant Games may be directed to the Team Illinois Donor Family Liaison, Patty Abel at this email address (teamilmgr@aol.com).

Fundraising: Everyone's Help is Needed!

As I shared with many of you at the Info-Shares and via email, Team Illinois will provide uniforms and pins to all Team Members, but it takes a lot of hard work and dedication to raise the necessary funds. As of right now, it will cost the Team well over $13,000 to supply every Team Member with a uniforms and pins and only 10 Team Members have actually helped fund raise for the 2010 Games (we have over 130 people who are interested in attending). I'm not asking everyone to host a fundraising event, but please reach out to local businesses, family members, co-workers or your friends on Facebook to see if they can make a tax-deductible donation to help Team Illinois.

We have made it easy for people to give a donation. They can simply go to: http://www.firstgiving.com/teamillinois and can donate whatever amount they'd like. One person has already helped raise over $1,000 for the Team using First Giving....imagine if everyone could do that!

If you know of a local business that would like to make a donation, we have prepared a Team IL Sponsorship Form that you can provide them. Please do not contact Transplant Centers or Pharmaceutical companies.

The money raised goes to help provide uniforms, pins, any Team expenses and possible scholarships to attend the Games (if enough is raised).We are stretching every dollar right now and need a final push these last few months.

Team Illinois Networking Site:

Make sure you're part of the Team Illinois Networking site. This a great place to meet other Team IL members, possibly find a roommate for the Games, or get your questions answered. Right now, we have a team member who is looking for a workout partner!

The site is simple to navigate and it's a great place to interact with other team members. Many of you have already joined, but this will be great tool to start utilizing since the Games are getting closer. Upcoming events and save the dates have already been added to the site.

An invitation is needed to join, so I will send everyone an invite. If you are already part of the site them please disregard the invitation.

As soon as I get more information about registration I will email everyone. Keep in mind that the Team Illinois and U.S. Transplant Games website will also provide you with valuable information as it becomes available.

Mary Schlereth

Team Illinois Manager

December 31, 2009

I hope everyone had a safe and happy holiday season! Just think....seven months from now we'll be in Madison, wearing our orange and blue while cheering on all of our recipient athletes and living donor athletes, viewing the National Donor Quilt and attending the donor recognition ceremonies all while celebrating the gift of life.

Just a few brief notes to keep you in the loop...

Tomorrow! Happy New Year!

Make sure you watch the Rose Bowl Parade float and keep an eye out for the Donate Life Rose Parade Float! The parade begins at 8 (PST) and can be seen on ABC, NBC, HGTV or the Travel Channel. The Donate Life Float is titled A New Life Arises and inspires people to register to be organ, eye and tissue donors while honoring those who have given the precious gift of life, sight and mobility. It is my understanding that the float will be early in the lineup! Learn more about the float and those riding at: http://www.donatelifefloat.org/

Madison 2010 Games Info

As of now, I still don't have the exact date for the opening of the official registration process for the Games will open so stay tuned...we should know soon.
According to the Team Member profiles, quite a few recipient athletes are interested in volleyball and basketball. Due to the overwhelming interest and because there are limited number of spots on the roster, tryouts will be held within the next few months. We are still working on solidifying a date, location and time, but I just wanted to give everyone a heads up. Keep your eyes open for an email from our Athletic Coordinator, Nicole Sisen sharing all the important details.
SAVE THE DATE: Sunday, June 27th will be uniform pick up. The location and time is still being determined, but I wanted to let you know what date so that you can plan accordingly. Uniforms WILL NOT BE MAILED, so please make the necessary arrangements to be at pick up. As mentioned at the Info-Shares, uniforms will ONLY be provided to Primary Team Members which includes: Recipients, Living Donors and Deceased Donor Family Members. Certain uniform pieces will be made available for purchase for family members and friends.

Free Bowling

Don't forget Team IL members have been invited to free Cosmic Bowling in Orland Park from 1pm-5pm on Saturday, January 9th. If you plan on attending, please RSVP to Ron at RONALD100440@YAHOO.COM

Heroes T-Shirts

There is a limited number of Heroes Shirts available for purchase ($12/each plus shipping): Small (5), Medium (6), Large (6), XL (6). If you are interested in purchasing a shirt, please email me. First come, first served! This will be a great shirt to wear in Madison.

I will email you as more information regarding the Games as it becomes available so keep checking your email and be ready to hit the ground running!

Happy New Year!

Mary Schlereth

Team Illinois Manager

May 14, 2009

A quick note this lovely Thursday evening!

Tomorrow will be the last day to vote for your favorite 2010 Team Illinois Logo on www.team-illinois.org

If you are interested in joining Team Illinois at the June 20th Kane County Cougars Game (www.kccougars.com), you must RSVP to teamilmgr@aol.com by Wednesday, May 27th. Tickets are $10/person. Payment can be mailed to:

                    Brian Stiner
                    NKFI: Team Illinois
                    1153 Halladay Drive
                    Batavia, IL   60510

It can’t get any easier than this folks! Don’t forget Family Food Night at Schaumburg Village Tavern and Grill on Wednesday, May 27th! Come on out for lunch or dinner and turn in the Team IL flyer with your bill and Team IL will receive some money back! Please make sure you sign your name on the flyer so you can receive points for attending.

Will you be joining Team Illinois at the Saturday, May 30th Walk to support a potential organ recipient and to show that donation and transplantation works??!! Make sure you register at http://www.cotaforalexp.com/node/420

The U.S. Transplant Games are sponsored by the National Kidney Foundation and its local affiliates, which means, Team Illinois is part of the National Kidney Foundation of Illinois (NKFI). On Sunday, June 28th, NKFI will be hosting the 2009 Gift of Life Walk and Family Health Fair (Solider Field Great Lawn). This is a free event open to the public. We will be having a table at this event so I am in need of Team Members to come out and spread the word about Team Illinois and the Games. If you’re interested in manning the table for a few hours or coming out to join us in a beautiful walk along the lakefront please let me know. This is another great way to show that donation and transplantation works! Log onto www.nkfi.org for more information on the Walk.

In June, I will be heading to Madison, Wisconsin to get all the juicy details about the 2010 Games! Nicole Sisen from the National Kidney Foundation of Illinois will also be joining me on this trip and will serve at the Team Illinois Athletic Coordinator. Keep an eye out for information about upcoming INFO-SHARES that will be held around the state so you can get all the necessary information about the Games (registration, athletic events being offered, hotels to stay at, etc.). I strongly encourage any who considering coming to the Games to attend one INFO-SHARE as it will answer many questions. Stay tuned…

Remember, if you’re interested in hosting a fundraising event in your area please let me know. We can’t have all the beautiful team uniforms and pins if we don’t have any money!

Come on out and support Team Illinois! Everyone’s help is needed and appreciated.

Enjoy the weekend!

Mary Schlereth
Team Illinois Co-Manager

April 27, 2009

Good Morning and Happy Monday!

A HUGE “THANK YOU” to Janice Gill who organized and successful “Day at the Races” fundraiser yesterday at the Hawthorne Race Track! Those in attendance enjoyed 10 great nail-biting races around the track, yummy food and drinks, fabulous raffles prizes and great company. I’d also like to thank the Team Illinois Members who came out to support the event.

Just a few things this Monday morning:

The Mission of the NKF U.S. Transplant Games is to demonstrate the success of transplantation, honor those who have given the gift of life, and call attention to the need for more organ donors. As those who have been touched by donation and transplantation, NKF is encouraging all teams during the “off season” to live by this mission every single day. I am challenging all Team Illinois Members to step up to the plate and take this challenge head on. A wonderful opportunity presented itself last week and I encourage everyone to join Team Illinois as we participate in the 5K Walk/Run Fundraiser on Sunday, May 30th at Glenbard East High School in Lombard. The fundraiser is for 20 year-old, Alex Pane, who is currently waiting for a transplant.

Let’s get a team of Team IL Members together to provide hope and encouragement not only to Alex, but to the other 100,000 people are waiting for their second chance at life, to honor those who have given the gift of life and to show that donation/transplantation works!

Log onto http://www.cotaforalexp.com/node/420 to learn more about Alex and his wait for a transplant and to register for the walk/run. Once you have registered, please let me know so we can arrange a time and location to meet so we can all walk together. Make sure to wear you Team IL blue and orange!

Getting to know you’re Teammates!

The Games are always a very special and memorable time, but they become even more special and memorable when you know the people on your Team! Team Socials are being organized around the state as a way for people to come together during the off season, catch up with one another and to meet the new team members who will be joining us in Madison. Please plan to join us at one or all of the events!

Saturday, June 20th: Kane County Cougars Game
Saturday, August 1: McHenry (more information to come)
Sunday, September 13: Jupiter’s Pizza in Champaign (at least 25 people needed)

Information about the Kane County Cougar Game and Jupiter’s Pizza can be found at www.team-illinois.org

If you haven’t done so yet, please take the opportunity to sign up for the Team IL Social Networking site. This site has been established as another way for all of us to communicate with one another and keep up to date with Team events and socials. This is a password protected site and allowed only for those who plan to attend the Games as a Team IL member.

Attention all White Sox fans!!

Stop by the Thompson Center (100 W. Randolph, Chicago) tomorrow, April 28th from noon -1pm to attend the White Sox Autograph Signing for Organ Donation! Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White and two White Sox players will be there to sign autographs and support organ/tissue donation.

Also, don’t forget…

NKFI Living with Transplantation is this weekend in Oakbrook. Contact Diane Hollingsworth at NKFI for more information or check out www.nkfi.org

Family Food Night at the Schaumburg Village and Tavern is taking place Wednesday, May 27th. Log onto www.team-illinois.org to print off the flyer that is needs to accompany your check so money gets donated back to the Team!

Give Life. Give Thanks. T-Shirts are still available for purchase on the website and also vote for your favorite 2010 logo too!

That’s all for now. Have a great week!

Mary Schlereth
Team Illinois Manager

April 16, 2009

Fundraisers

April 26th: A Day at the Races!
Everyone is invited to attend. Tickets are $25 and must be purchased in advance. Contact Janice Gill ASAP at kidhappy@aol.com or 708-873-5871 for tickets or more information.

Give Life. Give Thanks. T-Shirts
You still have a chance to buy a long or short sleeve t-shirt in your favorite color! If you get your order in by the end of the month, the shirt will be delivered during the second week in May. Click here to place your order.

Family Food Night
The Schaumburg Village Tavern and Grill will donate 20% of total sales back to Team Illinois on Wednesday, May 27th. Present the Family Food Night ticket with your check in order for the Team to receive credit. The Family Food Night ticket is attached but also available on our website and can be passed out to all your family and friends before the event takes place. The ticket can be used all day and even on take out orders! Make sure to read the rules so we don’t get disqualified!

Looking to the help the Team fundraise? Here’s how you can help.
1. Attend Team IL fundraisers with your family and friends
2. Organize a fundraising event in your community
3. Do your shopping online at amazon.com (but makes sure to access the site via this link)
4. Send fundraising letters to businesses in your community. The letter can be found on the www.team-illinois.org
5. Let me know if your company does corporate matching

Team Illinois Social Events

Whether you’re new to Team Illinois or have been participating for years, come out and visit! Everyone is invited to one or all of the social events.

Saturday, June 20th: Kane County Cougars Baseball Game (Geneva, IL)
Cost: $10 /person
RSVP: teamilmgr@aol.com by Wednesday, May 27th
Payment can be mailed to:
Brian Stiner
NKFI: Team Illinois
1153 Halladay Drive
Batavia, IL 60510

Saturday, August 1: McHenry (Save the date…more information to come!)

Sunday, September 13: Jupiter’s Pizza (Champaign, IL)
Cost: $12/person
RSVP: teamilmgr@aol.com by Wednesday, September 9th.
Payment can be mailed to:
Mary Schlereth
NKFI: Team Illinois
4750 N Clarendon Ave
#804
Chicago, IL 60640

*******Checks should be made to NKFI: Team Illinois*******

Vote for the 2010 Team Illinois Logo

We’d like the Team’s input for the 2010 Team Illinois Logo that will appear on the uniform and merchandise. Click here to vote for your favorite(s). The last date to cast your vote(s) will be Friday, May 15th.

A huge “Thank You” to Team Illinois Member Kimberly Harrington for lending the Team her creative expertise!

Upcoming National Kidney Foundation of Illinois Event

Living With Transplantation
Saturday, May 2, 2009
Marriott Oakbrook, Oakbrook, IL
8am registration, 9am - 3pm event

Please join the National Kidney Foundation of Illinois for the Annual Transplant Recipient patient education day for those living with an organ transplant and their families. All organ types welcome. Past attendance was over 300 patients and family members enjoying a day of education and support. Registration is required for this $10.00 per person event which includes breakfast and lunch. For more information on this informative event or to RSVP, please contact Diane Hollingsworth at 312.321.1500 x226 or via email to dhollingsworth@nkfi.org.

March 19, 2009

Team Illinois Members,

I just wanted to keep everyone updated on Team events. If you’re new to the Team, make sure you check out www.team-illinois.org for pictures and the video from the 2008 Games as well as information regarding the 2010 Games. We also that the Team IL Ning (social networking) site where you meet and communicate with other Team IL members!

Team Fundraising

Spa:
Has anyone participated or plan to participate in the Old World Spa Fundraiser? How was your experience? We are interested in your feedback. Please email me at teamilmgr@aol.com.

T-Shirts:
If you ordered prior to March 1st, your shirt(s) will be arriving shortly! The next t-shirt order will be placed on March 31st so get your orders in! Choose a short or long sleeve t-shirt in your favorite color. This is a great shirt to help support the Team, promote the Games and wear in Madison. Everyone will want to know where you got it!

A Day at the Races:
“And they’re off!” Come out and join us on Sunday, April 26th at Hawthorne Race Track in Cicero. Get all the details and RSVP information here.

Amazon.com:
Remember to enter amazaon.com via the Team IL site and a portion of your sales will come back to the Team.

There are a few other fundraisers in the works, but if you’d like to host a fundraiser in your area, go for it! The great uniforms and travel allowances we received in the past was due to the fundraising and corporate matching that took place between the Games. Every little bit helps and we need everyone’s support and participation!

Team Socials

Team IL Co-manger, Brian Stiner, is currently working on setting up two team socials during the summer months (1 in Chicago-land, 1 in Central IL). The socials will be a time for all of us to get together and mingle. Keep a look out for the dates and locations!

497 days until Madison!!

Stay safe, happy and healthy.

Mary Schlereth
Team IL Co-Manager

February 9, 2009

Team Fundraisers!

We have our first two fundraisers for the 2010 Games ready to go!

Spa….

Need a last minute Valentine’s Day Gift?

Thinking ahead to Mother’s Day, Prom, Graduations, and Father’s Day?

Want to get those toes done for your spring break?

We’ve got the perfect idea for you!

Team Illinois has teamed up with Old World Spa in Downer’s Grove and the owner of the spa will generously donate a portion of each sale back to Team Illinois. Choose from manicures, pedicures, massages, facials and much, much more! Log on to www.oldworldspa.com or call 630-725-9075 for a complete list of services and prices. Wh en calling to make your appointment or getting your gift certificate make sure you mention you’re part of Team Illinois!

T-Shirt…

Our “Give Life. Give Thanks.” T-shirts will be available for purchase (as well as a picture) on the Team Illinois website in a few days! The t-shirts come in both short and long sleeve (8 adults sizes and 5 youth sizes) and 13 different colors!! All orders can be made through the Team Illinois website. At the end of each month, orders will be placed and the finished product will be shipped to you within a few weeks! A short sleeve shir t will be $12 and $22 for long sleeve. Shipping and handling will be an additional charge. Wearing the shirt is a great way to get the word out about the Games and the fact that donation and transplantation works!!

Fundraising around the State! Are you interested in hosting a fundraising event in your area? It could be anything….a bowling event, car wash, garage sale…every little bit will help! With the state of the economy, we’ll have to think outside of the box this time around. Remember, the amount of money we raise now will determine the Team’s ability to provide uniforms and possible travel reimbursement to each team member participating in the Games. Everyone's help is needed and appreciated!

Don’t forget about corporate matching. Check with your place of work to see if they will match your donation!

Team IL Social Network: Ning!

If you haven’t done so already, take a moment to sign up for the Team IL Ning Site. This is a great way to interact with other Team Members and this will be a FABULOUS way to interact with others before we travel to Madison. If possible, upload your picture so names can be matched with faces.

Upcoming National Kidney Foundation of Illinois Events

As many of you know, Team IL is part of the National Kidney Foundation of Illinois. Each year, NKFI hosts20educational seminars for transplant recipients, those waiting for a transplant and their family members. Check out the two programs coming up in the next few months:

Living Well...Every Day

March 14, 2009

Northern Illinois University Extension Campus

Rockford, IL

8:30am registration, 9am - Noon event

Please join the National Kidney Foundations of Illinois and Wisconsin, along with the American Liver Foundations of Illinois and Wisconsin, Transpla nt Wisconsin and Astellas Transplant Experience for a supportive and educational program. Whether you are a transplant recipient of any organ type, waiting for a transplant or a family member or friend, "Living Well...Every Day" will provide you with valuable information for long-term success and tips for healthy living. This is a free program, but registration is required. For more i nformation, please contact Diane Hollingsworth at dhollingsworth@nkfi.org or call at 312-321-1500 extension 226.

Living With Transplantation
Saturday, May 2, 2009
Marriott Oakbrook, Oakbrook, IL

8am registration, 9am - 3pm event

Please join the National Kidney Foundation of Illinois for the Annual Transplant Recipient patient education day for those living with an organ transplant and their families. All organ types welcome. Past attendance was over 300 patients and family members enjoying a day of education and support. Registration is required for this $10.00 per person event which includes breakfast and lunch. For more information on this informative event for transplant recipients, please contact Diane Hollingsworth at 312.321.1500 x226 or via email to dhollingsworth@nkfi.org.

535 days to Madison 2010....

Have a great week!

Mary Schlereth
Team Illinois Co-Manager

December 2, 2008

Hello,

I hope everyone had a nice holiday weekend.

If you got up this morning and ran to your computers and checked the Team Illinois site (which I’m sure you all do), you noticed something different, didn’t you?! Yes, that’s right, Team Illinois has a new website design! Take a look!

A big “THANK YOU” to Team Illinois Web Master, David Goldman, for all the time, effort and expertise he put into redeveloping the site. It looks great!

The Games in Madison are just over 600 days away! Sounds like a long time, but as many of you know, time flies and before you know it, we’ll be traveling up to Wisconsin. As we enter the new year, start thinking about fundraising events or fundraising items you would like to coordinate. In order to receive the same quality and quantity of uniforms and reimbursement that we have in past we need everyone’s participation. This is a team effort and everyone’s support is needed!

Keep an eye out for ways you can help on the new website:

Amazon.com (column on the right)
Help Team Illinois this holiday season with a simple ‘click’. Link directly to Amazon.com from our website and Team Illinois will receive a portion of the proceeds from your purchase (this is ONLY when linked via Team IL). We will not see the purchases that you made. We are simply notified that money was spent on our behalf with the total amount of the donation itself. This is an easy way to help the team and a great way to get family, friends and coworkers involved!

Corporate Fundraising Form (under main menu and then fundraising)

Check with your employer or community businesses for their support!

Soliciting

On the Team Illinois website, you will find a corporate sponsorship letter that can be downloaded and sent to corporations.

When soliciting a corporation, please be in communication with me, so we can have a coordinated effort and to ensure that multiple individuals are not contacting the same person or company.

Please do not solicit funds from Gift of Hope Organ & Tissue Donor Network, tissue banks, transplant centers or pharmaceutical companies. The National Kidney Foundation of Illinois and Team Managers will approach these organizations and companies.

When you receive confirmation that a company will be contributing to the Team please contact me.

Mailing Donations

When mailing a check, on a separate sheet of paper include:

Your name, email address and phone number. This is so you receive the appropriate amount of points for brining in a donation. We will also call you to confirm the money has been received.
Name & address of your contact so we can send a thank you letter and necessary tax information if applicable.

If the check is coming directly from the company, please inform me so I can keep an eye out for it.

All checks should be made out to NKFI- Team Illinois

Mail all checks to:
Team Illinois
National Kidney Foundation of Illinois
170 Pebble Creek
Lake Zurich, IL 60047

As a reminder, all funds received will go into the Team Illinois account. You will receive points based on the amount of money that is donated due to your effort. Please refer to the 2010 Point System.

Team Networking!

One new feature we will have on the website will be a Team Member Networking Site! This is a “Members Only” site which means you will need to complete a Team Member Profile form, be accepted as a member and use a password to view posted information. All interested Team Members, new and returning, are encouraged to sign up!

This site is one where you can communicate with other Team Members by sending emails, pictures and more easily coordinate events throughout the state to help support the Team. Upcoming events will also be posted.

So how do you join? Shortly after receiving this email, you should have received an email that read “Come Join Me on Team Illinois”. Click on the link and complete the member profile. Once accepted by the web administer, you will be able access the networking site from the Team Illinois webpage by using your email address and password you created.

It is important to mention that this is a private site. Certain personal information from the profile sheet will not be posted for all to see and the general public will not have access to this site. As we get closer to the Games, we anticipate this being the main communication tool so it would be good to get familiar with the site now.

That’s all for now! May everyone have a safe and happy holiday season! See you in 2009 at all the great fundraising events!

Mary Schlereth
Team Illinois Co-Manager

Team Illinois social network...

Team Notes

April 12, 2010

February 2, 2010

Janurary 25, 2010

January 21, 2010

December 31, 2009

May 14, 2009

April 27, 2009

April 16, 2009

Fundraisers

Team Illinois Social Events

Vote for the 2010 Team Illinois Logo

March 19, 2009

February 9, 2009

December 2, 2008

Team Members in the news post-Games:

More Team members in the news pre-Games:

New Book by Team Member

Fundraisers