Save the Date - 24th Annual Hunger Walk

Staff and volunteers of the Chicago Christian Industrial League (CCIL) and more than 5,000 others will join the march against hunger on Saturday, June 20, 2009 at Montrose Harbor. The 24th Annual Hunger Walk directly benefits participating food pantries, soup kitchens and shelters that are member agencies of the Greater Chicago Food Depository, including CCIL. Food Depository pantries have seen an increase in demand of 33 percent in the past year, including many people who have never turned to a pantry before.

CCIL is seeking walkers and donors for this year’s Hunger Walk. To pledge your support, call Bob Joens at 773-435-8331 or Chris Wiens at 773-435-8385. Registration on the day of the event begins at 8 a.m., and step off is at 9:30 a.m. Free parking is available on a first-come, first-served basis. Look for the CCIL sign and join us on Saturday, June 20, 2009!

5th Annual RU Caring Spring Into Health & Fitness Fair a Success

A special thank you to everyone who helped make the 5th Annual Spring Into Health & Fitness Fair hosted by Rush University Medical Center a huge success on Saturday, May 16, 2009! The citywide health and job fair was held at CCIL's main campus on Roosevelt Road and was the hub for a variety of activities.

Rush University's student-run organization RU Caring worked under the supervision of Rush attending physicians, nurse practitioners, professional nursing staff and faculty in helping provide better access to healthcare for underserved communities from across the city of Chicago.

"RU Caring and the health fair are key components of the community benefits Rush offers annually to people in need from the west side and greater Chicago area," said Sharon Gates, MA, director of Rush University Community Services. "With RU Caring, not only are our nursing and medical students getting hands-on leadership experience in the community, but they are witnessing first hand the impact that they can make as health professionals."

More than 315 people received triage treatment, 100 immunizations were administered, at least 160 people completed a history/physical examination, nearly all participants received at least one referral, more than 175 people visited the job fair and most everyone received valuable information from one or more vendors present at the event. Free snacks and entertainment were enjoyed by all!

Citywide Health & Job Fair at CCIL

Rush University Medical Center will be hosting its annual "Spring Into Health and Fitness Fair" at CCIL this Saturday, May 16, 2009 from 9:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. CCIL is located at 2750 W. Roosevelt Road in Chicago. Some of the FREE services include: health screenings, school physicals, immunizations, dental, vision and health counseling. The event will also include a job fair for those interested in positions at Rush University Medical Center. Free snacks and beverages will be available while supplies last.

Rush University's student-run organization RU Caring, Rush University Medical Center, CCIL, Blowitz-Ridgeway Foundation and the Chicago Department of Public Health are sponsoring this event to provide better access to healthcare for underserved communities across the city of Chicago. An estimated one million people in the Chicago metropolitan area are living without health insurance. The "Spring Into Health and Fitness Fair" will provide much needed care to this growing demographic.

Contact Sharon Gates at 312-942-3670 for more information.

About RU Caring...

RU Caring is a student-run, volunteer organization that provides healthcare to underserved communities through health fairs and educational programs. It is the only student organization at Rush University to utilize the interdisciplinary team model.

About Rush University Medical Center...

Rush University Medical Center is an academic medical center that encompasses the more than 600 staffed-bed hospital (including Rush Children's Hospital), the Johnston R. Bowman Health Center and Rush University. Rush University, with more than 1,270 students, is home to one of the first medical schools in the Midwest, and one of the nation's top-ranked nursing colleges. Rush University also offers graduate programs in allied health and the basic sciences. Rush is noted for bringing together clinical care and research to address major health problems, including arthritis and orthopedic disorders, cancer, heart disease, mental illness, neurological disorders and diseases associated with aging.