94 Floors Above Chicago: Meet Boat Safe Chicago’s Nurse Kelly

At Boat Safe Chicago, our mission—in partnership with the University of Illinois Chicago (UIC) School of Public Health —is to ensure Narcan is accessible in every harbor and on every boat in the city. But a mission is only as strong as its volunteers.

One of those standout helpers is Nurse Kelly. She has personally distributed hundreds of doses of Narcan during our annual distribution days, ensuring Chicago’s boating community is prepared for emergencies.

Now, Kelly is taking on a new challenge, and we are rallying behind her!

The 2026 Hustle Chicago Stair Climb

This year, Kelly and her oldest daughter are teaming up to tackle the Hustle Chicago (formerly Hustle Up the Hancock). They will be climbing 94 floors to support the Respiratory Health Association(RHA).

Kelly isn’t a professional runner, but she is a lifelong athlete. Over the past few years, she’s conquered the “Mud Girl” obstacle race, the Chicago “Hot Chocolate” 5K, and the Wine Run 5K. For her, this isn’t just about the 1,643 steps; it’s about building resilience and supporting clean air initiatives and lung disease research in Chicago.

A Born Giver (and Boater!)

Why does a busy single mom spend her limited free time volunteering? For Kelly, it’s about the personal accomplishment of overcoming a challenge with the support of a great community.

Her former nurse manager isn’t surprised by her dedication, noting:

“Newer nurses always praised Kelly’s teaching style and her generosity. One patient summed it up perfectly: Kelly is so compassionate, competent, and just a great human being.”

How You Can Help

When you see Kelly at our Narcan Distribution Day this summer, we want her to know the community has her back. Please consider supporting her climb and the Respiratory Health Association by making a donation here:

👉 Donate to Kelly’s Hustle Chicago Goal

Together, we can support clean air, respiratory health, and the incredible people like Kelly who make Chicago a safer place to live and boat. 

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