Overview
- Bridgett Kolls threw the ceremonial first pitch at Wrigley Field before the Cubs–Reds game Wednesday as she and donor Thomas Alessio were honored.
- Kolls, diagnosed with lupus and stage 5 kidney disease at age 20, drew help after holding a 2019 sign at a Cubs game that read “This Lil’ Cubbie needs a kidney.”
- White Sox fan Alessio saw the sign and contacted the transplant team at Advocate Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn, then donated a kidney in 2020.
- After her recovery, Kolls became a nursing assistant at Advocate Health Care in Downers Grove, and the recognition at the ballpark lined up with National Nurse’s Week.
- Local coverage framed the reunion as rivals united by a lifesaving choice and used the moment to promote awareness of living donor transplants.