Twelve current and former University of Iowa Stead Family Children’s Hospital patients are ready for the spotlight as the Kid Captain program returns for the 2021 Iowa Hawkeye football season.
This year marks the 12th season of the Kid Captain program, which started in 2009 as a partnership between UI Stead Family Children’s Hospital and the Iowa Hawkeyes to honor pediatric patients and celebrate their incredible stories. This year’s Kid Captains were selected from 257 nominations from three states for the 2020 season, which was later canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“We know these kids have all waited a long time for this day, and we’re excited to be able to share their incredible stories of courage,” says Pam Johnson-Carlson, chief administrative officer of UI Stead Family Children’s Hospital. “It has been a true honor to be able to care for them all on their health care journey. We congratulate all of them on their selection to this year’s Kid Captain team.”
Although the program is currently scheduled to continue as it has in the past, hospital administrators and infectious disease experts are actively monitoring the state’s current COVID status and may make adjustments to the program as needed.
The 2021 Kid Captains are:
- Bridgette Bissell, 18, Muscatine
- Blake Burdorf, 10, Shenandoah
- Ayden Gendreau, 12, Camanche
- Brandi Gloeckner, 15, Robins
- Galilea Gonzalez, 10, Cedar Falls
- Drew Hennigan, 8, West Des Moines
- CC Hoover, 7, Urbandale
- BraeLynn Krisinger, 9, Des Moines
- Lucas Moore, 8, Fort Dodge
- Kale Schmidt, 11, Goose Lake
- Bentley Steven, 9, Gladbrook
- Madison Williams, 9, Carlisle
All Kid Captains and their families will be invited to Kids Day at Kinnick Stadium on Aug. 14 for a special behind-the-scenes tour. Each child’s story will be highlighted during the football season.
Visit uichildrens.org/kidcaptain for more information on each Kid Captain.
