Riley hospital opened its doors to children and families in 1924. Since that time, Riley has been making history and adding to its long list of ‘firsts.’ Riley was the location of Indiana’s first pediatric open heart procedure in 1956, its first pediatric burn center and neonatal intensive care unit in 1971, its first outpatient surgical care center in 1980, its first pediatric cochlear implant procedure in 1983, and its first infant and newborn heart transplants in 1989.

In 1991, the year that IUDM started, the Herman B. Wells Center for Pediatric Research opened at Riley. Three years later, Indiana’s first and only pediatric cancer center opened, including a stem cell transplant unit. Riley opened the world’s largest pediatric sleep lab in 2001, and one of the top three autism centers in the nation in 2002.  US News recognized Riley this year as one of the Best Children’s Hospitals for Cancer Treatment.

Next time you think of IUDM, think of the IU students working their hardest to make it happen. Think of their passion, their memories, and their reasons for doing IUDM. Think of the Riley kids with phenomenal stories and the individual paths that led them to Riley. Next time, do Riley a favor and don’t stop there. Remember the medical advancements and discoveries that have been made on a larger scale at Riley. Think about the breakthroughs that have enabled other hospitals to follow Riley’s example, the things that have happened at Riley that are helping not only the kids that go there, but kids who need medical attention throughout our country and the whole world.  Next time you think of IUDM, take a second to remember what everyone involved is doing for our school, for the kids, but also for medical history and the future of medicine.

By: Kelly Freiburger

Reference:

“Riley Hospital for Children at Indiana University Health.” Riley. IU Health, 2013. Web. 04 Apr. 2013.

Krista spends her days at work making Riley patients as comfortable as possible and relieving their stress during their stay in the hospital.  This includes preparing them for procedures by answering their questions and explaining upcoming surgeries or procedures through pictures and the use of medical equipment. She also works with the kids during any procedures that are invasive or painful, providing them distraction through iPads, books, bubbles, and other things to redirect their attention.

Child Life Specialists strive to make the children’s lives during their stay at Riley as normal as possible. Each day, the children have opportunities to engage in activities to promote socialization and to simply allow them to be kids, such as art, crafts, and music. The specialists also plan events and parties, whether to celebrate holidays or to have special guests, including Pacers and Colts players, come in to interact with the patients. The goal for the Child Life Specialists is to make sure the patients are kids first, and that their diagnoses come second.

Krista must have a very flexible schedule to tend to any needs that come up with the patients and to work around their procedures. Still, each child is seen every day. Krista is busy but says that she loves Riley and would not want to be anywhere else. She is able to help the children and their families to cope with the most stressful times in their lives Spending time with them allows her to create bonds, and she finds her work is extremely rewarding.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nBSUS6puE64

By: Emily Nelson

On April 27th and 28th, we held two new events to our spring activities, a long drive contest and a 5K. The long drive contest was help at the IU golf course and held a competition for not only the longest drive, but closest to the pin and put- putt as well. Then on the following day, the 5K was held in which we not only awarded for fastest time, but sweatiest runner and congeniality awards. In our first year of these events, we saw a great turn out, with 114 golfers and 394 runners, and we would look for these events to grow in the following years.

Recap of High School Marathons:

Castle: $8,084.43
Carmel: $294,206.28
Cardinal Ritter: $1,482.15
Whiteland: $7,471.24
Plainfield: $8,138.58
Hamilton Southeastern: $9,687.17
Gibson Southern: $5,215.23
Southport: $16,051.80
Bloomington South: $70,029.31
Center Grove: $2,030.86
Lawrence North: $1,543.70
Tell City: $1,767.24

We encourage you to stay connected to IUDM by connecting us with your employer for corporate sponsorship opportunities. All we need is a foot in the door, and we’ll do the rest! Please contact Kendall Loseff at corporaterelations@iudm.org with questions and corporate contact information.

We would like to ask you for any pictures to better document the history of dance marathon and remember the great people who have helped make this organization where it is today. If you have pictures that you could send to us, please do so at alumnirelations@iudm.org.

IUDM alum and founder, Amy Balcius, was involved during 1991-1993, where she helped create the Riley Development committee, and was the president in ’93. After her graduation, she moved to Lithuania to volunteer with the PeaceCorps. Amy said she was so passionate about volunteerism after her involvement in IUDM that she decided to take that experience to the next level. During her time in Lithuania, Amy taught junior and senior English and also met her husband. Amy and her husband now live in Carmel, Indiana with their two children, Sofia who is 11, and Tomas who is 8. Twenty years after Amy and twelve others started IUDM, her daughter Sofia participated in Carmel Middle School’s Dance Marathon. She is truly amazed at how full circle IUDM has come, and she looks forward to the future progress of the organization.

At this year’s Carmel High School Dance Marathon, a few alumni were able to join us for dinner, ice cream, and attending the close ceremonies. These alumni were Amy Balcius(’91-’93), Julie Krodel (‘05), Gretchen Ahlers (‘11), and Alley Murphy (’12). The alumni shared stories of how IUDM started and memories of working with Ashley Louise Crouse, while the committee members were able to discuss new ideas for the upcoming year and their experience in IUDM. We returned to Carmel DM in time to see the final line dance, a speech from Kyle Dietz (‘04-‘05), and of course, the raising of the total, which was $294,206.28! Congratulations to Carmel HS DM for improving on their total, and a huge thank you for those alumni that were able to come back and share this experience with us!