Jim Irsay to Recognize Seven Patients, Philanthropists Selected as Riley Champions
Riley Champion honors travel statewide

INDIANAPOLIS (November 13, 2009) - Advocate, fighter, hero and victor are words often associated with a champion. They also describe many of the children who visit Riley Hospital for Children and its regional clinics throughout the state more than 220,000 times each year. Riley patients distinguish themselves through courage, strength, spirit and heart. They’re fighters often overcoming medical obstacles and beating impossible odds. Riley children are also advocates who willingly share their stories of struggle and triumph in order to inspire a broad community response. On November 18, the 2009 class of Riley Champions will be honored.

WHAT:          
Riley Children’s Foundation Annual Luncheon Presented by the Indianapolis Colts    

WHEN:          
Wednesday, November 18
Luncheon and Program: Noon - 2 p.m.                                                     

WHERE:        
The Westin; Downtown Indianapolis
2^nd Floor Ballroom

EVENT HIGHLIGHTS:
The 2009 class of Riley Champions are scheduled to be honored by Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay.

• Tyler Genneken, 14, Greenwood
  Tyler lost his battle with leukemia on November 4. The eighth-grade student at Center Grove Middle School Central transformed his challenges into opportunities to help others. Upon diagnosis he joined a clinical trial at Riley Hospital to help find better treatments - and even a cure - for childhood cancers. Tyler organized fundraisers for Camp Little Red Door, a camp held at Bradford Woods for children with cancer. He also inspired record numbers of people to register at bone marrow drives throughout Indianapolis, with the focus of saving lives of future cancer patients.
• Sarah Heimann, 17, Monroeville
  Sarah was diagnosed with autoimmune hepatitis. The energetic senior attends Heritage Jr./Sr. High School and enjoys inspiring peers at the Cornerstone Youth Center.
• Jac’Quel Jones, 11, Fort Wayne
  Jac’Quel is currently fighting polycystic dysplasia kidney disease. The Village Woods student was selected as a Riley Hospital holiday card artist in 2008, a program which annually raises funds for the hospital.
• Nick Long, 17, Brownsburg
  Nick is challenged with complications from a premature birth including cerebral palsy. The junior at Brownsburg High School enjoys participating in Riley Hospital fundraisers year round, including John Andretti’s annual Race for Riley. John Andretti is flying back to Indianapolis this week to attend on behalf of champions and friend, Nick Long.
• Tatum Parker, 9, Indianapolis
  Tatum is a cancer patient and recently finished her second round of chemotherapy. She established her own non-profit, “Tatum’s Bags of Fun,” the local chapter of a national organization that distributes backpacks filled with fun items to help kids battling cancer.
• Joel Paschen, 17, Walkerton
  Joel, a soccer star from John Glenn High School, is currently recovering from ulcerative colitis and remains a strong advocate of Riley Hospital for Children.
• Cleat Winkler, 15, Huntingburg
  Cleat, a student at Southridge High School, is a high-spirited freshman who was treated at Riley Hospital for a brain tumor. He has continued his involvement through student council and his youth group.

About Riley Champions Presented by Walmart
Riley Children’s Foundation appreciates the unwavering efforts of Riley kids and their families. That is why the Foundation created “Riley Champions presented by Walmart.” The program, introduced in 2008, annually recognizes and honors a select group of remarkable Riley patients who have translated the courage they’ve shown during an illness or injury into philanthropic action in their community.

Champions are selected from nominations submitted by Riley Hospital and Riley Children’s Foundation staff, school administrators from around the state and the general public. Riley Champions is open to children ages 8-18 who have been treated at Riley Hospital in the past three years. Selected Riley Champions serve as statewide ambassadors for Riley Hospital and are publicly recognized in Indianapolis and their home communities. Each Riley Champion was honored as a “Coin Toss Kid” at the November 8 Indianapolis Colts game. They will also be featured in a PSA in their home community and honored at their school.

Riley Champions is presented by a long-standing supporter of Riley Hospital - Walmart. Since 1988, Walmart and Sam’s Club have raised more than $14 million for Riley Hospital.

About Riley Children’s Foundation
Riley Children’s Foundation supports Riley Hospital for Children, Camp Riley for Youth with Physical Disabilities and the James Whitcomb Riley Museum Home. As Indiana’s only comprehensive hospital dedicated exclusively to the care of children, Riley Hospital has provided compassionate care, support and comfort to children and their families since 1924. Every year children from all 92 Indiana counties come to Riley Hospital and its regional clinics throughout the state more than 220,000 times. Riley Hospital’s partnership with Clarian Health and strong affiliation with the Indiana University School of Medicine make it the leader in pediatric care in the state and the region. RileyKids.org 

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