Friday, Nov. 28

9-year-old Luke Dieter is from Lafayette, Indiana.

In the fall of 2022, Luke began having symptoms like leg pain, headaches, and fatigue. That winter, he was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes and celiac disease.

Luke’s family is grateful to his team at Riley Children’s Health for helping them navigate two life-changing conditions.

Luke stays active by playing flag football, basketball and baseball. He also enjoys being creative, building with LEGO and playing video games.

Saturday, Nov. 8

9-year-old Asher Richards is from Dayton, Indiana.

Asher started his journey with Riley in April 2024 with a visit to the Ear, Nose, & Throat department at Riley Hospital for Children after suffering a severe concussion in a golf cart accident. The CT scan revealed abnormalities in his sinuses. Under the expert care of Dr. Yekinni, Asher successfully underwent two surgical procedures, receiving unwavering support from a compassionate care team that he now considers family.

Asher is currently a 4th grader at Dayton Elementary School. Asher loves sports and enjoys playing baseball, basketball, and football. He dreams of one day stepping onto the field as a Purdue Boilermaker, inspired by his idol, Devin “Crazy Legs” Mockobee.

Saturday, Oct. 25

6-year-old Lilah Richardson and 4-year-old Eli Richardson are from Battle Ground, Indiana.

Lilah started her journey with Riley in December 2021 with a visit to the Rheumatology department due to a locked up ankle. She was later diagnosed with Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis.

Lilah loves learning, coloring and playing with her friends.

Eli's Riley journey began with failure-to-thrive. While waiting to get surgery for a G-tube insertion, the doctors noticed an electrolyte imbalance. After a long nine-day stay, he was diagnosed with a rare kidney disorder called Diabetes Insipidus.

Eli loves being outside, doing puzzles and playing with his friends.

Saturday, Oct. 4

10-year-old Cameron King Evans is from Lafayette, Indiana.

Diagnosed with cerebral palsy at age 2, walking can be a challenge — but that hasn’t stopped him from imagining a future where he’s running across the football field, scoring touchdowns like his heroes.

He loves bold colors, especially red, and is always up for basketball or football. More than anything, Cameron works hard every day to gain independence and walk on his own. His determination inspires everyone around him. A devoted big brother to three sisters, he especially loves making his baby sister laugh. Cameron’s story is one of courage and hope — proof that with heart and strength, no dream is too big.

Saturday, Sept. 13

6-year-old Atticus Johnson is from Lafayette, Indiana.

Atticus started his journey with Riley in August 2024 with a visit to the cleft and craniofacial plastic surgery department at Riley Hospital for Children to figure out exactly why he has struggled after many years of speech therapy. He is currently under the care of Dr. Katelyn Makar and continuing to get the support he needs.

Atticus absolutely loves playing Fortnite, Roblox, Minecraft, and watching wrestling and football.

Saturday, Sept. 6

4-year-old Marabelle Adjahouisso is from Indianapolis, Indiana.

Less than 10 hours after her birth, Marabelle turned blue during her first bath and was later diagnosed with a heart condition called Tetralogy of Fallot. Marabelle underwent her first open heart surgery at six days old, and a second open heart surgery at eight months old. She is anticipated to undergo a third open heart surgery within the next few years.

Marabelle is an energetic, smart, loving and strong girl who just started Pre-K and is in her make-up girl era. She enjoys soccer, swimming, playing other sports, and doing crafts.

Saturday, Aug. 30

7-year-old Jameson Dolan is from Fishers, Indiana.

Jameson began his Riley Children’s Health journey before he was born when an ultrasound revealed he had organs developing outside of his abdomen. The Riley Maternal-Fetal Medicine team prepared for his complex birth and managed a serious maternal complication for his mom as well. After 15 hospitalizations and 11 surgeries, Jameson is thriving as a bright, happy second grader. He receives ongoing care from several Riley specialists.

His favorite things include superheroes, sports, and playing with his sisters and dog.

8-year-old Jane Brovont from West Lafayette, IN.
At age 6, Jane's knee was unexplainably swollen. No injury had occurred, and it grew so inflamed that walking was not possible. Her Riley Children’s Health pediatrician, Dr. Theresa Woods, listened and swiftly referred her to Riley Pediatric Rheumatologist, Dr. Melissa Oliver. After several tests and visits, Jane was diagnosed with Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis, an autoimmune disease which causes joint pain and inflammation. Jane has learned how to manage JIA with the help of her amazing Riley team and visits every 3 months.
Jane loves gymnastics, playing soccer, and drawing. None of these activities would be possible without the care from her Riley team.

Julian and Lisa Montalvo are siblings from West Lafayette, IN.
Before age one, Julian and Elisa were referred to Riley Hospital for Children by their pediatrician, Dr. Theresa Woods, for concerns about their skull development. Both were diagnosed with craniosynostosis and underwent successful cranial reconstruction by Dr. Laurie Ackerman’s team. Now thriving and healthy, they visit Riley regularly for checkups. Thanks to the swift care from Riley Children’s Health, Elisa dreams of becoming a vet, and Julian wants to be an engineer—both future Boilermakers!

Greg and Aven are siblings from Noblesville. Three years ago, Greg was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes after an emergency trip to Riley Children’s Health. Earlier this year, Aven was diagnosed with the flu and a rare complication that causes muscle weakness and pain. After a brief stay at Riley Children’s, she made a full recovery. Greg and Aven love participating in Purdue University Dance Marathon and are excited to cheer on the Boilermakers!

12-year-old Jace Johnson is from West Lafayette, IN.

Jace see physicians from Riley Children’s Health for a variety of conditions including asthma, sleep apnea, ADHA, diabetes, as well as mental health issues that many children struggle with today. His positive attitude allows him to share information with his doctors that sometimes can be difficult to discuss.

Jace enjoys choir, school plays, gaming, and spending time with his family and friends.

Jace wanted to share an important message with everyone, “We all matter, so if you are struggling with anything, talk to parents, teachers, doctors or family for help.”

At the age of 2 ½, Elise Humberg’s parents noticed her constant thirst, asking for glass after glass of water, and decided to check her blood sugar. Upon testing, her blood sugar was 4 times higher than the average person.

Elise’s parents took her to the IU Health Arnett Emergency Department, where she was diagnosed with Type I Diabetes, and transferred to Riley Hospital for Children in Indianapolis. Luckily, Elise’s parents were aware of the signs because Elise’s father is also a Type 1 Diabetic, so she was diagnosed early before she became seriously ill. Elise spent 3 days at Riley, so she and her parents could learn about managing diabetes in someone so young.

While living with a chronic condition isn’t always fun, 9 -year-old Elise doesn’t let it stop her from living her best life. She has been dancing Irish Step Dancing for 3 years. She also loves to travel, read, do arts and crafts, and spend time with her friends. She is in 4th grade at Wea Ridge Elementary School and would love to be an author or a comedian one day. She visits her Diabetes team at Riley every 3 months and hopes to go to Diabetes Camp next summer.

Lucy Dunham has been a patient at Riley Children’s Health since birth. She has Down syndrome and underwent her first heart surgery when she was only 6 days old. Her parents appreciate how her Riley Children’s care team supports their entire family.

Lucy loves to color, eat ice cream, go to the beach, and cheer on the Boilermakers!

Oliver is a thriving high school freshman. At two months old, Oliver came to Riley Children’s Health in respiratory distress and needed time on a ventilator. Since then, Oliver has also received treatment from Riley Children’s specialists for a neuromuscular disorder, autism, and ADHD. He is honored to share his story.

9-year-old Katherine Douglas from West Lafayette, Indiana was referred to Riley Gastroenterology in 2019, at the age of 5, by her IU Health pediatrician, Dr. Theresa Woods, for stomach and intestinal problems. Katherine’s problems continued to get worse and by 2021, virtually every time she ate, she hurt and felt sick. Her Riley Pediatric Gastroenterologist, Dr. Shamaila Waseem, listened to Katherine’s symptoms and took them seriously. After several tests and numerous trips to Riley and IU Health, Katherine was diagnosed with Crohn’s Disease at age 8 which is far younger than most Crohn’s cases. Crohn’s disease is an autoimmune disease where lesions grow in the gastrointestinal track. There is no cure for Crohn’s Disease, and it is a life-long condition that can be life-threatening if not treated.

At each procedure, the Riley doctors and staff treated Katherine as a kid, talking directly with her about what was going on in terms she could understand. They provided toys as much needed distractions during procedures and even let her take her beloved stuffed animal into the procedure with her. Now, almost 2 years into diagnosis Katherine is leading a relatively normal life thanks to Dr. Waseem’s prescribed treatment of medication, and partial enteral nutrition.

Lilly Rhoades was born prematurely and had challenges with eating, gaining weight, and sleeping through the night. After two years of testing, her family decided to turn to Riley Children’s Health, where specialists were able to diagnose Lilly with obstructive sleep apnea. She underwent surgery last year, and the Riley Children’s team also detected and fixed a life-threatening birth defect that was affecting her airway. Lilly receives ongoing care from Riley and will celebrate her fourth birthday next month.

Elliott Leitch has been a Riley kid since the age of 10. His journey began when he fell critically ill and was transported to Riley Hospital for Children, where the dedicated team in Indianapolis not only saved his life but also diagnosed him with Type One Diabetes.

Elliott regularly visits Riley to receive treatment from the Endocrinologist team and actively participates in diabetes research. He's involved in several medical studies, driven by a determination to help find a cure for this life-changing disease.

As an identical twin, Elliott is a passionate sports enthusiast, engaging in various athletic pursuits, from baseball and football to basketball and cross country. His hope is that his small contributions today will one day lead to a significant breakthrough in the battle against Type One Diabetes.

Monroe Lindblom has been a Riley kid since before she was born when her mother met with Riley doctors to plan for her arrival. She was born with a severe congenital heart defect, Hypoplastic Right Heart Syndrome. She has had two open heart surgeries so far, one at one week old and the other at two years old. She continues to visit her favorite Riley doctors every 6 months for monitoring and timeline for her upcoming surgeries. Monroe and her family continually support the Riley Heart Center, specifically her surgeon Dr. Turrentine and his Heart Missions overseas. The Riley staff and doctors have become our family and we are so thankful for them. Monroe is currently a first grader at Faith Christian in Lafayette, Indiana. She loves playing with her friends, making her three siblings laugh and playing soccer, softball and gymnastics.

Ezra Hayden is excited to be the Riley Children’s Health Kid Captain at his first Purdue football game! In July 2022, Ezra was referred to the gastroenterology team at Riley Children’s for specialized care. With their expertise and support, he has learned to manage his health. Ezra enjoys interviewing local and national leaders for his YouTube channel, including Purdue linebacker Khordae Sydnor. Ezra would be honored for the Purdue community to follow him on YouTube and Facebook: @EzraSpeaking

Ben Braden was born with a significant coarctation of the aorta, ventricular septal defect (VSD), and an atrial septal defect, resulting in multiple surgeries and a lengthy, complicated stay at Riley throughout the second half of 2016. Thanks to the incredible doctors, nurses, respiratory technicians, child life specialists, administrators, and other staff, Ben is now 7 years old and an energetic first grader at Burnett Creek Elementary School in West Lafayette, Indiana.

He enjoys baseball, basketball, attending Purdue Football practice, Dude Perfect, pestering his younger sister and brother and playing Mario Cart.

Cohen Elliott loves dinosaurs, monster trucks, and Pokemon. In October 2019 he was sent to Riley Children’s Health with a high fever and body rash. He was diagnosed with Kawasaki disease, a rare illness that causes inflammation in blood vessels. After five days at Riley Children’s, Cohen returned home to Lafayette. He continues to receive care from his Riley cardiologist. Today, Cohen is a healthy 4-year-old and making great strides in preschool.

8-year-old Katherine Douglas from West Lafayette, Indiana was referred to Riley Gastroenterology in 2019, at the age of 5, by her IU Health pediatrician, Dr. Theresa Woods, for stomach and intestinal problems. Katherine’s problems continued to get worse and by 2021, virtually every time she ate, she was sick. Her Riley Pediatric Gastroenterologist, Dr. Shamaila Waseem, listened to Katherine’s symptoms and took them seriously. After several tests and numerous trips to Riley and IU Health, Katherine was diagnosed with Crohn’s Disease at age 8 which is far younger than most Crohn’s cases. Crohn’s disease is an autoimmune disease where lesions grow in the gastrointestinal track. There is no cure for Crohn’s Disease, and it is a life-long condition that can be life-threatening if not treated.

At each procedure, the Riley doctors and staff treated Katherine as a kid, talking directly with her about what was going on in terms she could understand. They provided toys as much needed distractions and even let her take her beloved stuffed animal into the procedure with her. Now, 9 months after diagnosis, Katherine is leading a relatively normal life thanks to Dr. Waseem’s prescribed treatment of medication, and partial enteral nutrition.

Jayzen Oppelt has been a patient at Riley Children’s Health since birth, when doctors found that the white matter in his brain wasn’t fully developed. After extensive therapy, Jayzen is doing well. He receives ongoing care from multiple Riley specialists and was recently diagnosed with Tourette Syndrome. The sixth-grader loves playing football, basketball, and karate, and he is looking forward to sharing his story to help other Riley kids.

Luke (10) and Mia (8) Hansen from West Lafayette have Celiac Disease, an autoimmune disease triggered by gluten that causes damage to the small intestines. Luke was initially diagnosed after several years of very slow growth. An endoscopic biopsy performed at Riley Hospital for Children confirmed that his damaged small intestines were unable to absorb the nutrients his body needed to grow. He now follows a very strict gluten-free diet and continues to work with the GI team at Riley, returning for checkups every 6 months. Celiac is often hereditary, and Mia was tested and found to have Celiac as well. She follows the same strict diet and is also seen at Riley. Luke loves Taekwondo, riding his bike, and all things Star Wars. Mia loves dance, gymnastics, and her dog, Indy. They both love Riley Hospital!

Caiden Rogers from Indianapolis was born prematurely at 24 weeks gestation. Once considered one of the sickest babies at Riley Hospital for Children at Indiana University Health, Caiden required six months of care to grow strong enough to go home. Today, Caiden loves Spider-Man and PJ Masks. He recently celebrated his 5th birthday.

8 year old Christian will be cheering on the Boilers from Riley during our matchup versus Michigan State! Boiler Up!

Thirteen-year-old Kohen Pfeiffer from Lafayette, Indiana was born with a rare skin disease called Epidermolysis Bullosa. This condition is a group of rare diseases that cause fragile, blistering skin. Kohen has spent a lot of time at Riley Hospital for Children with his care team to treat this condition. Kohen attends Southwestern Middle School and loves playing video games and spending time with his family.

Age: 11

Tyler Ralstin from Greenfield, Indiana, enjoys playing baseball and football and recently made his school’s sixth-grade basketball team. In December 2017, Tyler was diagnosed with a rare form of B Cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia at Riley Hospital for Children at Indiana University Health. He fought a long battle that included chemotherapy, immunotherapy, multiple surgeries, total body radiation, and a bone marrow transplant. Today Tyler is cancer-free and back at school. He enjoys fishing, video games, fantasy football, spending time with his friends and family, and rooting on all Purdue sports teams.

Age: 9

Nine year old Austin Kilgus from Lafayette, Indiana was diagnosed with Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis in 2014 after swelling in both of his knees made it difficult for Austin to walk. At the age of 2, Austin received steroid knee injections and began immune suppressant treatment at Riley Hospital for Children at Indiana University Health. He currently receives weekly medication injections and daily eye drops to control the inflammation in his eyes. Austin loves all things sports, especially the Purdue Boilermakers and Drew Brees!

Age: 8

Eight year old Hudson Lewis, from Crawfordsville, Indiana, was diagnosed with cystic fibrosis shortly after birth. Cystic fibrosis is genetic condition that affects a child’s lungs and digestive tract and can lead to problems with nutrition and growth. As recommended by his care team at Riley Hospital for Children, Hudson completes over an hour of breathing treatments every day just to stay healthy. Hudson enjoys playing football, basketball, baseball, and Fortnite and spending time with his family and friends!

Age: 11

11 year old Tate Goyer is a 6th grader at Roosevelt Middle School in Monticello, IN. Tate’s hobbies include football, baseball, basketball, boating, farming, and showing swine in 4-H. Tate began having headaches when he was 4 years old. His pediatrician, Dr. Teresa Woods, from Riley Physicians at IU Health Arnett, recommended Tate’s family begin documenting the circumstances and environmental details of the headaches in an effort to control and combat them. In 2017, Tate was diagnosed with juvenile migraines and referred to Riley Pediatric Neurology in Carmel, IN. Through working with his Neurologist, Dr. Kristyn Tekulve, Tate has found medications and lifestyle choices that have helped in the prevention and treatment of his migraines. Thanks to these wonderful doctors Tate can enjoy all of the activities that he loves without having to worry about being in pain.

Age: 9

Addyson Wooldridge, from Lafayette, Ind., is a cheerleader and a “dance-aholic” who lets absolutely nothing get in her way. Addyson receives treatment at Riley Hospital for Children for spina bifida, which contributed to other serious medical complications. She has undergone seven surgeries in the past nine years. Addyson is passionate about supporting Riley Dance Marathons (including Purdue University Dance Marathon) and landed among the top 500 fundraisers in the state last year. Because of her commitment to sharing her story and her desire to help others, Addyson was recently named a 2020 Riley Champion and will serve as an ambassador for Riley Children’s Foundation and Riley Hospital.

Age: 10

Patrick Dimmitt is a 10-year-old fifth grader at St. Boniface Middle School. In July 2018, Patrick was diagnosed with rheumatic fever at Riley Hospital for Children at IU Health. This developed into rheumatic heart disease, causing damage to his heart and its valves. On Sept. 27, 2018, he underwent heart surgery to replace his mitral valve with a mechanical valve and repair his aortic valve. Unfortunately, because of his heart condition, he is no longer able to play his favorite game – football – but is on the coaching staff at Central Catholic High School. Patrick lives in Lafayette, Ind. with his parents and two brothers, and he also has two sisters who attend Purdue University. He created an inspiring hashtag for all of his photos on social media -- #KeepGod1st – which has become a motto for him and others.

Age: 11

Eleven-year-old Caiden Ashley is a fifth grader at Attica Elementary School. When Caiden was only one week old, he was diagnosed with cystic fibrosis at Riley Hospital for Children at IU Health. Cystic fibrosis is a genetic disease that creates extra mucus in the body that can cause digestive and lung issues, and it currently has no cure. Due to bowel obstruction caused by the disease, he underwent ileostomy surgery and spent the first month of his life in the hospital, with half of that time being in the NICU. At three months old, Caiden had another surgery to reverse the ileostomy. To keep his cystic fibrosis under control, Caiden takes between 25 and 30 pills per day and does one to one and half hours of airway clearance and nebulizer treatments. He goes to Riley at IU Health every two to three months to check 

Age: 10

Aubrey Deno, 10 years old from Lafayette, Ind., loves to make people laugh, do Tik Toks, dance, sing, watch makeup and hair tutorials, and spend time with her family. When Aubrey was 13 months old, she was diagnosed with a very rare form of b-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Unfortunately, she was in the 5% that does not respond to the typical treatment for this type of leukemia, as the cancer was too aggressive. In December 2010, she received a lifesaving bone marrow transplant from a stranger. Although she was given a 1% chance of surviving, she proved her doctors wrong and left Riley Hospital for Children at IU Health nine months later, cancer free. Aubrey is now in fifth grade and is in dance class and plays club volleyball for the Boiler Juniors.

Age: 9

Nine-year-old Cheznee Beaver is from Lafayette, Ind. When Cheznee was four years old, she was diagnosed with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (JRA) at Riley Hospital for Children at IU Health. JRA is a type of arthritis that causes joint inflammation and stiffness for more than six weeks. It can also cause redness, swelling, warmth and soreness in the joints. Cheznee enjoys gymnastics, playing outside and riding her bike.

Age: 12

12 year old Wyatt Claire from Rainsville, Indiana attends Warren Central Elementary School and enjoys participating in 4-H and playing tee ball with the Tippy All Stars. Before birth, doctors discovered that Wyatt’s spinal cord did not develop correctly and he was diagnosed with Spina Bifida. At 3 hours old, Wyatt had his first surgery at Riley Hospital for Children to close the defect in his back. Wyatt continues to receive care from his teams at Riley and IU Health Arnett.

Age: 15

Charlie Smart from Lafayette was diagnosed with a very rare form of T-cell ALL in December 2017 at Riley Hospital for Children. He underwent a stem cell transplant on June 26, 2018 – his younger sister Lucy was his donor. Exactly one year later, Charlie rang the bell at Riley Hospital to celebrate his completion of cancer treatment. Charlie is 15 years old and enjoys tennis, basketball, video games, and spending time with his friends and family.