With Christmas just around the corner, it won’t be long before holiday cards start hitting mailboxes. Few things represent the Christmas spirit more than cards created by young patients at Riley Hospital for Children.

This is the 15th year that Riley has had a holiday card program.

“The Riley Holiday Card program just provides a great opportunity for Riley patients to use their artistic talents and be part of a fundraising initiative on behalf of Riley Hospital,” Jason Mueller, communications director for the Riley Children’s Foundation, said. “At the Riley Children’s Foundation we like to engage the patients in these fundraising opportunities because they are part of our family. The public is very intrigued with the Riley Holiday Card program because it comes from children. To have Riley patients and children involved in such a program, it brings additional spirit to the holidays.”

Mueller said the cards are very well received.

“Each year the sales go quite well,” he said. “We sell them on RileyHolidayCards.com and at participating Kroger grocery stores, as well as the Riley gift shops. The Riley Holiday Card program puts things in perspective for everyone. It’s about giving back and giving thanks.”

The cards are available in packs of 10 for $7.

“Kroger is a terrific corporate sponsor for Riley Hospital,” Mueller said. “They have been for a long time. The way that they dedicate themselves to the Riley Holiday Card program is really a testament to the relationship that they have with the Riley Children’s Foundation.”

Each of the selected Riley artists will be honored at a private reception at Conseco Fieldhouse before the Dec. 11 Pacers game against the New Jersey Nets.

“They will be honored at a private reception and will be able to enjoy the game with their family,” Mueller said.

The holiday card designers are:

n Guadalupe Dominguez-Galeno from South Bend, who made a holiday tree design. Dominguez-Galeno was born with spina-bifida and a kidney condition that requires her and members of her family to drive from South Bend to Riley Hospital three times a week for dialysis treatment. She is now 11 years old and in fifth grade. For fun, she enjoys coloring and playing soccer.

n Riley Lesh from Indianapolis, who made a holiday Santa design. Lesh was born at 25 weeks weighing only one pound, 10 ounces. Her premature birth caused her to suffer from a variety of conditions including anemia. She is now 7 years old and doing well. Lesh is in second grade at West Newton Elementary School. She enjoys gymnastics and dance, as well as reading and writing stories.

n Alyssa Cowan from Muncie, who made a holiday mouse design. In May of 2006, Cowan was diagnosed with Crohn’s disease, as well as a liver disease that causes the liver to deteriorate over time. Earlier this year, doctors successfully replaced Cowan’s diseased liver. She still struggles through bouts with Crohn’s. She is currently 15 and a sophomore at Wapahani High School in Selma. She enjoys art, sewing, and volleyball.

n Quentin Pace from Coatesville, who made a holiday car design. In December of 2008, Pace was diagnosed with kidney obstructions and reflux. He has received treatments and surgeries at Riley Hospital and is now doing very well. Now 4 years old and in pre school, he enjoys showing off his scars, building with Legos, and playing with his dog Bentley.

n Cory Lane from Camby, who made a holiday snow cabin design. In May of 2008, Lane was diagnosed with Crohn’s disease which causes complications in his digestive tract. Now 12 years old, he is doing well following numerous visits to Riley Hospital for treatment. Lane attends Plainfield Community Schools where he is in seventh grade. He enjoys riding his bike, playing soccer, listening to music, and running track.



ryan.palencer@flyergroup.com