Kendall Ciesemier

Kendall Ciesemier is an American youth volunteer from Wheaton, Illinois and a student at Georgetown University in Washington, DC.

After watching a special of The Oprah Winfrey Show about the AIDS epidemic in Africa, Ciesemier founded the volunteer organization Kids Caring 4 Kids in 2004.[1] In May 2007, Ciesemier was named one of America's top ten youth volunteers by Prudential and the National Association of Secondary School Principals.[2] In 2010, Kendall was named one of Glamour Magazine's top ten women of the year for her service work.[3] Kendall was also awarded a Daily Point of Light Award for her work doing Kids Caring 4 Kids by Points of Light.[4] The Daily Point of Light Award was created by President George H.W Bush to "honor individuals and groups creating meaningful change in communities across America".[5]

On August 31, 2007, Ciesemier received a surprise visit from US President Bill Clinton at an assembly at Wheaton North High School in recognition of her service. Clinton and Ciesemier then went to appear on The Oprah Winfrey Show. The episode was broadcast on September 4, 2007.[6] On the show, Clinton announced that his friend would be donating half-a-million dollars to Ciesmier's organization.[7]

Kendall was born with a rare liver disease called biliary atresia and has undergone two liver transplants at Children's Memorial Hospital in Chicago. In 2010, she was part of the design team for its replacement, the Lurie Children's Hospital.[8] She has stated that her own personal struggles are part of what inspired her to help others.[9] Kendall is an aspiring journalist.[10]