'Team Will' - Inspired By Northbrook 7-Year-Old - Raises $30K For Research Organization

More than 70 runners taking part in the annual Chicago Rock ‘n Roll Half Marathon earlier this month raised somewhere around $30,000 for NephCure Kidney International (NKI) as part of “Team Will,” a group of friends and family supporting a seven-year-old boy from Northbrook who was diagnosed with nephrotic syndrome - a debilitating chronic disease - at age three.

It’s the fourth year Team Will has raised funds through the Half-Marathon, growing in number every year.

“Everyone got into the act, funds came not only from online personal donations, but also corporate sponsors, community lemonade stands, cookie sales, cupcake sales, a CrossFit fundraising event, a birthday party donation jar, etc.,” according to a news release.

The donations supported NKI, an organization committed exclusively to supporting research to identify the cause, improve the treatment and find the cure of the two potentially debilitating kidney diseases: Nephrotic Syndrome and Focal Segmental Glomerulosclerosis.

“As we are learning, this is a very unpredictable disease, and we do not know what the outcome will be for Will,” Team Will captain Dr. Tony Diaz said. “We are grateful to have found NephCure Kidney International, and with them are committed to seeking a cause and cure for Nephrotic Syndrome.”

Event sponsors included Physician Anesthesia Associates, Martin Nissan, Lydon & Associations, Hollister, MK Capital, Blue Mountain Brewery and Little Bad Wolf.

Donate to Team Will here