As event coordinator at Jump Trading Simulation & Education Center, Sarah Kilja Johnson manages events at more than 25 venues within the facility, administrates and develops content for Jump’s external website and internal portal, and serves on its Editorial Team, Marketing Committee, Communications Committee and Opening Events Committee. She also works to coordinate equipment set-up and catering needs, and serves as primary media contact.
Not only does Johnson demonstrate strong work ethics in her career, her life itself stands as an example of perseverance. Diagnosed with leukemia at the age of 14, she was given a 30-percent chance of survival, but after a successful bone marrow transplant, she went on to Millikin University and a successful college career. She has spoken publicly about her experience as a patient and survivor, and in 2009, she wrote a children’s book to support pediatric cancer patients.
Johnson has devoted her life to giving back to the community. She is involved with the American Red Cross, serving as co-chair of a community blood drive and past chair of its United Way Committee. She is a speaker and wish grantor for the Make-A-Wish Foundation, mentor for Illinois State University’s St. Jude Up ‘Til Dawn event, and a fundraiser and speaker for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, where she received treatment. She serves on the Children’s Advocacy Awards Selection Committee at Children’s Hospital of Illinois and has been involved with Ronald McDonald House, the American Cancer Society and Epsilon Sigma Alpha. She is also head soccer coach at St. Thomas Grade School.
In addition to a range of community service awards from her academic career, Johnson has received the Monthly Circle of Excellence Region Award and Make a Difference Award in Customer Service from the Red Cross, the St. Jude Run Scholarship and St. Jude Youth Volunteer of the Year awards, and the Joey Stowell Champion for Children’s Advocacy Award from Children’s Hospital of Illinois. iBi
