Meet Kendyl

Kendyl was diagnosed with Ulcerative Colitis at age 2.5. She had many fails with oral antibiotics, several colonoscopies, and at age 4, her care was transferred to University of Iowa Health Care Stead Family Children’s Hospital. Kendyl started seeing Dr. Bishop who spent so much time and attention with Kendyl and her parents at every visit. Dr. Bishop  started her on a new oral medication regimen that worked for a while, but then her body began to reject it, which led to other complications. Kendyl then started a medication that was an injection which she was taught to do herself. Again, this medication worked for a while, but over time, her body became unresponsive to it leading to her current care regimen. Kendyl is currently doing infusion treatments every 8 weeks under Dr. Ebach’s care.

Kendyl is now 14 years old and serves as one of our 2024 Children Miracle Network Champions. Kendyl’s belief in the cause and her willingness to make a difference inspires everyone around her to make a difference. It is through the collective efforts of compassionate individuals like Kendyl that we can create positive change and provide much needed resources to the children and families relying on the services at University of Iowa Health Care Stead Family Children’s Hospital.

This year marks Kendyl’s 3rd year fundraising for the Children’s Hospital and it all started with a lemonade stand. Kendyl knew she wanted to give back to the hospital and to the kids who aren’t as fortunate as she is to be able to come home after every checkup. Kendyl, and her family have had three side x side rides and three big lemonade stands. The lemonade stands have done so well that they now are selling food too! This year Kendyl has raised $28,760 bringing her total to $61,760. Because of her dedication and commitment Kendyl has a named inpatient room located on Level 10 of the Children’s Hospital.

Kendyl’s 2024 lemonade stand raised …. drum roll please…$6,500 DOLLARS!!!

Kendyl recently set a new goal of raising $100,000 over the next five years to donate to University of Iowa Health Care Stead Family Children’s Hospital.