Today we’d like to introduce you to Elijah Phillips.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
It was June 10, 2010, I went into the ER for what I thought was a stomach virus. It was the day my life changed forever after testing, I found out I was diagnosed with a low kidney function due to IgA nephropathy. Also known as Berger’s Disease, is a kidney disease that occurs when an antibody called immunoglobulin A (IgA) lodges in your kidneys which prevents the kidney from filtering waste from your blood. From 2011 after changing my diet and medication after medication, I went on Peritoneal Dialysis. Still in disbelief that I was no longer producing urine because my kidneys were no longer producing the waste that was needed. My doctor were very clear that is the process would not work long and a small amount of kidney patients regain full function after being on it. That wasn’t the case for me, so after being placed on the waitlist here in Illinois and Wisconsin for a kidney. My sister Tarasia Hamilton-Dortch decide to be tested and was a perfect match. I must be honest I was excited but also afraid wasn’t sure if this was the right thing to do because I didn’t want anything to go wrong. But in my moment of weakness, the Lord reminded me that He is the giver of life and there was still work for me to do. He gave me the scripture John 10:10“The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life and that they might have it more abundantly.” My transplant took place March 29, 2013 on Good Friday, and I will be celebrating 10 years of kidney transplant this March 2023.
In November 2015, while driving down interstate 294, I began to repeatedly hear the words “I choose”. But I choose what? What do I choose? It was almost time to welcome in a new year and I was still asking myself, what is it that I choose? In my search for the answer to my questions, the Lord began to give me the vision of the iChoose Foundation. “iChoose to live” caused me to review my life and everything I had experienced.
It became clear that in my choosing to live, it was not just a decision for me but a decision that would empower thousands of people dealing with Kidney Disease. The iChoose Foundation not only brings awareness to Kidney Disease but it provides assistance to those in need of counseling, medication and holistic support to LIVE through the process. In January 2016, the vision became a reality and the iChoose Foundation was officially launched. Since then we have done so many initiatives to bring awareness. We have participated in The National Kidney Foundation of Illinois kidney walk, we have host a few feeding of the homeless and allowing them to get fresh produce for free. And one of my most proudest moments is creating “The Village” it’s the place of conversation, cures and comfort. The iChoose foundation brings those together that is battling kidney disease or life after transplant to come together and discuss our challenges we face daily and to have a support group. So today, my focus is to keep growing and to continue to assist those in need.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
You would think it would be a smooth road considering this was birthed out of being a God-ordained given assignment, But no I have had some challenges along the way. Our main obstacle with starting a foundation is funding. One of our biggest challenges we run into. a lot of people don’t understand the importance of the movement we are creating with the iChoose Foundation. We try to assist and educate our community to assure they are aware of how kidney disease is affecting our minorities community. From my experience and my family, none of us knew anything about kidney disease and was not educated much. We had to do research and figure what it was and how it affect me. So with that, it was my goal and mission to educate minorities on the effects of kidney disease and what cause them, and how to detect the early stages of kidney failure. I know there are ways to be still productive as we have, but if we had more funding, we will be able to produce more resources.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
While being the CEO of the iChoose Foundation, I also work for Northwestern Medical in the Nephrology department. I daily get to connect and assist patients who are living with kidney disease. It’s such a joy for me to be able to work in this field because of my own life experience and being able to relate to patients and encourage them by saying look at me, I am a testimony that you can live and make it through this. I often sit in awe of how this has become a full circle for me.
If we knew you growing up, how would we have described you?
Growing up in the Phillips household was a joy. Being the last of five children and the only boy, I will say I was kinda spoiled (well that’s what they tell me.). I grew up on the block with my family grandparents, uncles, aunts and cousins. My Grandfather was the pastor of the church which was also on the block, so most time I felt like if I wasn’t in school, we was at the church. But my parents also made sure that I was able to be me and made sure I was rooted and grounded with their guidance.
I was your average kid playing with family and friends outside, riding bikes and most of all collecting my ninja turtle toys, I will say in my earlier age was shy and really didn’t say much kinda always in the background. Always willing to push others to be their best them. But I always felt I would be different in some sort of way. Not sure what it would be but knew it was something. And in my case, growing up in the church the 1st thing they say oh, he’s a preacher or singer or what have you but I always knew it was more. After my teens year and now an adult I understand my purpose and the plan God had for my life even as a child.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.ichoosefoundation.org
- Instagram: ichoose organization
- Facebook: Ichoose Foundation
- Youtube: ICHOOSE TV
Image Credits
Chela Cervantes Photography Calvin Finklea Photography Cameron Isaiah Washington – It’s Design Guru Derin Lindsey- The Brand
