With the words “Because It Matters” boldly printed across bright green awareness ribbons, Gary native and pharmacist Dr. Peggy Riggins is leading the charge in a health movement that hits close to home for thousands of Black families across Chicago and Northwest Indiana.
On Thursday, June 5, 2025, Riggins will host the Kidney (Party) Project Education and Prevention Initiative Fundraiser at the Discover Center, 8650 S. Cottage Grove Avenue, Chicago, from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. This free community event, themed “Love Your Kidneys,” will offer education, screenings, and prevention resources, along with refreshments, music, and a vibrant atmosphere aimed at encouraging attendees to take their health seriously—before it’s too late.
“We are trying to have this conversation in a way that is fun, but also urgent,” said Riggins. “Too many of our people are learning they have kidney failure only after they’re sitting in a dialysis chair. It doesn’t have to be that way.”
Across the country, kidney disease is taking a devastating toll—particularly among African Americans. The National Kidney Foundation reports that while Black Americans represent 13 percent of the U.S. population, they account for more than 35 percent of people with kidney failure. The causes are rooted in disproportionately high rates of high blood pressure, diabetes, heart disease, and lack of early screening.
Riggins, who is also a registered pharmacist, created the Kidney (Party) Project to reach those most at risk through culturally engaging community outreach. “People don’t always respond to cold clinical facts,” she explained. “But you put it in a party setting, serve water, offer screenings, let people dance a little—and then you’ve created an opening for real conversation.”
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, an estimated 37 million adults in the U.S. have chronic kidney disease (CKD), but nearly 9 out of 10 don’t even know it. Of those who do, many discover it too late. More than 550,000 Americans are currently on dialysis, and over 100,000 are waiting for a kidney transplant.
“Every one of those numbers represents a person–a son, a mother, a grandfather–who might’ve had a different outcome if they knew earlier and drank more water, cut back on salt, or got their blood pressure under control,” said Riggins.
Flyers for the event feature Riggins beaming in a t-shirt that reads, “Behind every person with kidney disease, there is an even stronger family who stands by them and loves them with all their heart.” The quote captures the spirit behind the Kidney Party Project—community support, early prevention, and spreading knowledge through love.
“We need our community to understand how powerful hydration is,” Riggins emphasized. “Water is not just a beverage choice—it’s a life-saving step.”
The event will also include information about how certain medications, repeated infections, and even overuse of over-the-counter drugs like ibuprofen can silently damage the kidneys over time.
“We’re not just talking about older people,” Riggins said. “We’re seeing kidney disease in people in their 30s and 40s—young people who think they’re healthy because they feel okay.”
Organizers are partnering with local health clinics to offer on-site blood pressure and diabetes screenings. Guests will also receive reusable water bottles and printed guides on how to prevent kidney damage through small lifestyle changes.
“The Kidney (Party) Project is about saving lives—period,” said Riggins. “And we want to make sure people leave this event not just informed, but empowered.”