The Cabe family

The doctors at Riley are amazing. Their knowledge, research, and leadership are stellar and effective. I am so very thankful for them. But, let’s be honest here. Where would we be without the nurses?

I know first-hand that the nurses on the hematology/oncology unit at Riley are amazing. I remember walking into that unit for the first time ever with a very ill child. My husband and I were shell-shocked, stunned, in denial and overwhelmed. The nurses knew not only how to handle our little boy, but they knew how to handle us too. We were given “baby steps” and the nurses knew just how much information to give us along our difficult journey.

During some of our son’s painful procedures the nurses were the ones who pulled up a chair for my wobbly body and slid it under me while gently patting my shoulder. They didn’t judge, mock, or express impatience. They were calm, soothing, smart and even witty.

Our son’s nurse practitioner became like family over his three-plus years of chemotherapy. She knew his likes, dislikes, temperament and medical chart. She helped put him at ease through countless blood draws and spinal taps, making them become almost effortless instead of dreadful. It takes a special person to do such a thing. She’ll always be a part of
our family’s history. We send her a Christmas card… it’s the least we
can do!

So, as wonderful as the doctors are at Riley, I just wanted to take a minute to thank you nurses. You probably don’t get as much “limelight” or attention. You do a lot of paperwork and busy-work, but please know that to us Riley parents it’s NEVER busy-work when it has to do with our child.

THANK YOU nurses for ALL you do for the children of Riley Hospital!
Keep that Riley engine running full-steam ahead. Your passengers sure
are grateful!

We are so honored every time someone tells us that they donated to Riley because they saw our son Ozzy’s picture at Walmart. His photo is featured in posters and buttons that promote the Riley icon sales going on during the month of May at all Walmart stores across Indiana.

Ozzy Reyher admires his image at a Walmart check-out counter

To be honest, I wasn’t quite sure how it would be going into the store for the first time since the campaign started. It seems either my husband or I stop in there at least a couple times a week to pick up something. It was surreal and a little strange seeing my son’s face on every register! But it was a great feeling to hear the cashier ask another shopper if they would like to donate to Riley, and hearing them respond “Yes, I would.”

We joke that Ozzy knows he is a little celebrity now, but he is just happy to be riding in the cart and waving at people as he passes. Ozzy is a very social little guy and started saying “Hi” and waving to the woman in line behind us. She was just so tickled by his personality and talked to him for a long time. He did notice himself in the picture on the register as we were checking out. He pointed at himself and said “Hi” then started looking for other people to smile at and talk to.

I hope his happy smile on those registers prompts many shoppers to give what they can to the hospital that saved my baby’s life and saves so many other children’s lives every day. If even one person sees his picture and decides to help, then it’s worth it.

Riley kids and families hit the dance floor at the Riley Cancer Center Prom

The Riley Prom was  wonderful.  This was our first time attending with our son Cory.  Cory was thrilled to get to wear a black tux with red accessories that Cory and his sister picked out together at Promingdales.  They went all out on the decorations for the Willy Wonka theme.

We  entered a room filled with sweets and of course a chocolate fountain for dipping fruit, cake,  and lots of yummy treats.  There was a magician, crafts, face painting and fun photos too.  We later worked our way into where the food was and it was delicious.  There was such a variety of  foods to choose from. We enjoyed the  mini hot dogs and hamburgers.   It was nice to see there was something for everyone and they had both sugar and sugar-free candy too.

Cory and Carrie Lane

What a magical night to see all the smiles on the childrens faces.  It was great to have a night to get dressed up and and spend time with other families dealing with cancer also.

Doug, Carrie and Cory Lane

Riley patient Gracie Steinberber chooses her prom accessories

Our third annual Riley Cancer Center Prom festivities began with excitement on April 12^th and 13^th with our Promingdale’s event held in the Riley Outpatient Center.  The Ruth Lilly Conference Center area was transformed into a boutique and tux shop by Women for Riley Volunteers and Riley Cancer Center Social Work staff.  Over 100 patients and siblings were provided a dress, tux measurement or suit, shoes, and accessories in preparation for the Prom on May 4^th.

There were twirls and smiles galore as children of all ages modeled their favorite dresses and tuxes/suits.  One parent shared that her child said that it was the best she has looked in a long time after dealing with the hair loss and body changes that led her to avoid mirrors after being diagnosed with cancer.  Some children showed their incredible strength by stepping out of their wheelchairs to try on clothes while others overcame fear and shyness with encouragement from Riley staff and Women for Riley volunteers.  Both girls and boys were happy to get pictures with the Indy 500 princesses.

Overall, the event was a huge success, and one step closer to the day of the Prom, which will include the Day Spa providing beauty services for patients, siblings, and mothers.  We are looking forward to our Willy Wonka themed celebration!

Hello!  Welcome to the inaugural post of the Riley Children’s Foundation blog. We are continually blown away by the inspiring stories of Riley kids and families. Now, we have a new way of bringing you some of the behind-the-scenes Riley experiences with the help of a team of guest bloggers: Riley patients; parents; doctors; volunteers; and staff members.

It seems to make sense to start with the most important of messages. It comes from 14-year-old Mickey Deputy, who hasn’t let Down syndrome, heart surgery, or leukemia cast a shadow on her bright outlook. Her entire family is dedicated to raising funds for Riley through dance marathons and other events.

We asked Mickey what she’d like to say to the people who’ve helped support the hospital she credits with saving her life.  Mickey replied, “Thank you so much for doing that!! It means a lot to everybody.”

Is it nice, we asked her, to see so many people doing so much to help Riley? Her answer was one word, spoken with the hugest smile you can imagine.

“YEEEEESSSSSS!”

We look forward to sharing many more Riley moments with you in the future. Thank you for your interest and support.

Riley Champion Seth Gorman has had plenty of memorable moments in the past year, but it may be hard to top February 18th. Much to Seth’s surprise, his principal at Castle High School in Newburgh proclaimed it “Seth Gorman Day.” The announcement came during the school’s dance marathon, which raised more than $5,800 for Riley. Seth has become quite an inspiration to those around him who have watched his struggle with juvenile arthritis, and his amazing return to the baseball field after his Riley doctor helped him
achieve remission. Here are some thoughts from Seth and his father, Tracy, about receiving the honor this week:

Rev. Tracy Gorman: “Our family, and especially Seth, was overwhelmed with the incredibly way he was honored by the Riley Foundation and by his principal and Castle High School.  It was a tremendous honor to participate in the Dance Marathon, and to see so many students coming out to support the hospital.  We appreciate the huge level of support that Principal Andy Byers gave to the Dance Marathon and to Seth.”

Seth Gorman: “I was so surprised by the entire event.  When we were walking into the school, I asked my parents, ‘Now, why are you coming into this dance again?  I thought it was just for students.’ I had no idea what was about to happen. I felt very humbled that Castle High School would do all of that for me.

I am having a blast being a Riley Champion this year. I was very thankful so many of my friends came to support me and the hospital that day.”

Karson on basket assembly day

It is a day that we’ll always remember. It was unique, adrenaline filled, fun, at times chaotic, emotional and most likely…once in a lifetime! It was Super Baskets of Hope Day! Over 900 volunteers gathered in Super Bowl host city, Indianapolis, to assemble 7,000 baskets to be delivered to critically ill children across the nation. All 32 NFL cities will be receiving a share of baskets this week before the Giants and Patriots kick off on Sunday night. These baskets, and accompanying Hope Tote Bags for parents, will be delivered by each city’s local athletes and celebrities to kids in their own children’s hospital. As we stood on the assembly floor at Banker’s Life Fieldhouse we were not only surrounded by mounds of toys, books and goodies to be stuffed into baskets, but by friends from several spheres of our life who were working amidst the rows of tables. It really had come full circle and seeing it with my own eyes felt surreal, and wonderful!

It was a blessing to have about 180 high school students, coaches and parents join us through the ministry in which my husband Kraig serves, the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. These kids had to get up early and come from all around the state of Indiana (about 15 schools were represented) to volunteer. They arrived smiling and they kept up that positive energy throughout our entire shift.

We also saw friends who serve on the Riley Children’s Foundation team and who have done an incredible amount of work over the last year to make yesterday a reality. Most of them had arrived at Banker’s Life before 3 am and they were still going strong at 3 pm! They are a dedicated group of people who truly care for children. In the Riley Family Suite where Karson and I spent a lot of time yesterday, they provided crafts for the children to do, toys for them to take home,peanut butter and jelly sandwiches (with the crusts cut off!) and even Rice Krispy treats in the shape of a Riley wagon. The kids come first! It seems Riley staff thought of everything and they didn’t just think of it, they made it happen. Thank you, Riley Children’s Foundation, for the amazing vision and all of the “elbow grease” that made yesterday come true.

Last Thursday I had the great privilege of participating in the news conference announcing a Riley Super Bowl service project, Super Baskets of Hope. We will be sending 7,000 gift baskets to hospitalized kids in all 32 NFL cities and all across Indiana! I had a great time with all of the other 31 kids wearing our jerseys and  representing the Riley Kids at such an exciting event. Seeing all of the support that this project has behind it and thinking about how many kids it will affect around the country is simply amazing to me. We had a chance to hear all of the major contributors to the baskets talk about why the wanted to get involved and what they thought the basket would mean to recipients. Jim Irsay and Gary Brackett (above) were also at the news conference on behalf of the Colts organization. The Colts have helped Riley Hospital in countless ways and are now big supporters on helping the Super Baskets of Hope get to their final destinations.

After the news conference in the atrium at Riley wrapped up, I had another great opportunity to share a little about the Super Baskets of Hope live on Channel 13 on the 12 o’clock news. After finishing up there, we headed to Inside Indiana Business with Gerry Dick to further promote the Super Baskets of Hope. It is great to see how many people are behind this project and are helping in every way they can. I can’t wait until we get to see the baskets all lined up on the floor of Conseco Fieldhouse waiting to be loaded on to the trucks for shipment. These baskets will not only have the tangible items inside, but also bring with them the HOPE that make these baskets the special thing that they are. I am proud to be a Riley Kid and also proud to be a Hoosier, as these baskets will show the type of caring and unselfish people that live in Indiana.