UI Health Care Stead Family Children's Hospital✓

Our tiniest trick-or-treaters may be small, but their Halloween spirit is mighty! 🎃💪

Meet our Week 5 Kid Captain Charley Rasmussen, a 14-year-old from Marion, Iowa. 💛🏈 Get to know Charley and read more about her journey:

After months of unexplained symptoms, Kid Captain Charley Rasmussen was diagnosed with Addison’s disease, a rare condition affecting hormone production. Now 14, Charley stays active in sports and hopes to someday work in a hospital. 💛🏈

Meet our Week 5 Kid Captain Charley Rasmussen, a 14-year-old from Marion, Iowa. 💛🏈 Get to know Charley and read more about her journey:

Kid Captain Kaelyn O’Brien of Jesup, Iowa, was diagnosed with Hodgkin lymphoma at age 11 after sudden neurological symptoms led her family to our hospital. After undergoing cancer treatment and working to regain skills like walking and writing, Kaelyn’s cancer is now in remission. This weekend, the 14-year-old represented our Week 7 Kid Captain as Iowa took on Minnesota. 💛🖤

Happy Birthday & Happy Game Day to our Kid Captain Kaelyn O’Brien!! 💛🥳

It’s Game Day and Birthday Eve for our Kid Captain Kaelyn O’Brien! She turns 14 on Saturday & hopes to become a pediatric oncology nurse.

When you donate blood at the University of Iowa DeGowin Blood Center, your donation helps our own patients. For our tiniest patients, having blood products readily available is crucial. Evelyn weighed 8.46 ounces when she was born 17 weeks early in September 2023. When doctors had to draw blood for lab tests, even the smallest amount could have a huge impact: Evelyn only had about 1.5 tablespoons of blood in her body, says TJ Boly, MD, pictured with Evelyn and the neonatologist who first cared for her.

Throughout her hospital stay Kid Captain Kaelyn O’Brien’s doctors, nurses, and therapists helped her regain her independence and return to the activities she loves, while her family and a bed full of her favorite animal pillows brought comfort along the way. 💛

Respiratory therapist Eddie Hatcher combines his love of art with caring for patients at our hospital. 🎨 Using dry erase markers, Eddie creates personalized drawings on pediatric patient room doors inspired by each child’s favorite characters, animals, and interests. His artwork helps him connect with patients and families during their hospital stays.

“I just want to see her keep on helping other kids. Maybe she can help other kids get through it.” — Mike O’Brien The Kaelyn O’Brien Story 📽️💛

When Kid Captain Kaelyn O’Brien had difficulty walking and slurred speech at 11, our specialists determined she had Hodgkin lymphoma, as well as a rare complication called paraneoplastic syndrome. Now with her cancer in remission, Kaelyn will turn 14 on game day. She loves volleyball, basketball, and softball, and hopes to become a pediatric oncology nurse. 💛🏈

Meet our Week 7 Kid Captain Kaelyn O’Brien – a 13-year-old from Jesup, Iowa. 💛🏈 Get to know Kaelyn and read more about her journey:

We’re halfway through the season, and our Kid Captains have shared incredible stories of strength and resilience. Thank you to every family who has shared their journey with us this year. Here’s to the rest of the season. 💛🖤

Three years ago, 55,646 fans came to Kinnick to watch @IowaWBB. 
 At the end of the first quarter, all 55,646 turned to wave at our patients. Tradition is tradition, no matter the sport. 💛

It’s never too early to start thinking about the holidays! We’re so grateful for the generosity that supports our patients and families all year long. If you’d like to give this season, please plan ahead — holiday donations must be delivered by Dec. 16. Find holiday hours and guidelines here:

A day of play, learning, and imagination. 🩺 Young "providers" cared for stuffed patients at the Teddy Bear Clinic with guidance from @IowaMed students and other health sciences students, helping make health care feel more familiar.

What a week for Kid Captain JJ Ward of Davenport, Iowa! From a life-saving surgery as a newborn and a cystic fibrosis diagnosis, to becoming a spunky, sports-loving 6-year-old, JJ’s story is one of resilience!

Kid Captain JJ Ward of Davenport, Iowa, has received care at our hospital since shortly after birth after being diagnosed with cystic fibrosis. Tonight, the 6-year-old will cheer on the Hawkeyes as our Week 6 Kid Captain when Iowa takes on Washington under the lights. 💛🏈