When you think of a walk-a-thon event, you may think that’s all it involves — a walk. But the Pediatric Critical Care Walk-a-Thon, hosted by the Riley Children’s Foundation and the Indiana University School of Medicine Division of Pediatric Critical Care, part of the Department of Pediatrics, is much more than that. It’s a place where former Pediatric ICU or Cardiovascular ICU patients and family members can reconnect with the team that cared for them during some of the hardest moments of their lives. It’s a place where people can celebrate overcoming those hard times. And it’s a place where people can remember those who did not.
The 10th annual walk-a-thon will begin at 8 a.m. on Saturday, June 28, 2025, at the Riley Children’s Hospital in downtown Indianapolis. Every year, the event begins with a remembrance ceremony for children who’ve passed away by doing a tethered balloon release in their honor. Following this is the optional celebratory 5k walk around downtown Indianapolis, led by graduating third-year Pediatric Critical Care fellows. Throughout the event, numerous activities and special guests are set up outside for children, families and the Riley Children's Health team to enjoy.
Money raised at this event supports crucial initiatives, such as critical care research in the Division of Pediatric Critical Care.
Activities at the event feature appearances by local mascots and pet therapy dogs, a “Dunk a Doctor” tank and a "Touch-a-Truck" experience provided by the Indianapolis Fire Department and IU Health LifeLine. Kids can also enjoy face painting and various other activities throughout the event.
Courtney Frye, MD, is an assistant professor of clinical pediatrics at the IU School of Medicine, a Riley physician and the current lead coordinator of the walk-a-thon. She took over this position from Riad Lutfi, MD, an associate professor of clinical pediatrics at the IU School of Medicine and a Riley physician, who founded the walk-a-thon in 2015.
According to Frye, having an event like this specifically for the Pediatric Critical Care team is crucial in many ways.
“Many patients and families stay in the ICU for a long period of time and because of the heightened emotional component, form strong bonds with their care team,” Frye stated. “This event is an opportunity to maintain those relationships.”
Impact over the last decade
Frye has been involved with planning the walk-a-thon since the first year, where she has been able to witness the evolution and the profound impact it has had over the years.
“Reaching the 10-year mark means a culmination of a lot of hard work, growth, increased research funds and, of course, some really positive experiences,” Frye stated. “When you're working in a very stressful field with a high rate of burnout and are just having a bad day, you can think back to seeing those kids doing so well and looking so happy at the event as a source of strength to keep persevering.”
One involved family who has been a source of inspiration at the walk-a-thon is the Meinhardts. This event has allowed their former care team at Riley, including Brian D. Leland, MD, associate professor of clinical pediatrics at the IU School of Medicine and a Riley physician, to reconnect with them.
In 2019, according to a story published by Riley Children’s Health, one of the six-month-old Meinhardt triplets, Benjamin, had a serious problem with his lungs and circulation. His condition was so severe that he needed to go on extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO), a highly specialized heart and lung life support machine. After two weeks on ECMO and a successful care plan, his condition improved, and he was eventually able to go home.
He and his family now get to celebrate at the walk-a-thon.
Frye shared that reconnecting with grieving families is very meaningful in its own way as well.
“You have families whose child unfortunately passed away and they don't really have a reason to come back to the ICU and see the team,” Frye shared. “We have this event, in part, in their memory, so we can still keep in touch with the families.”
Special additions for the 10th anniversary
To celebrate the 10th anniversary, there are some new focuses and entertainment this year.
Frye shared that one major change this year is the additional focus on grieving families. There will be lapel pins available and a designated area for bereaved family members during activities. This will include an art therapy project where families can contribute to a larger mural of a tree to honor their loved ones. Additionally, there will be chaplains available to offer spiritual counseling to any family members who may want it.
Other new activities and special guests this year include:
- A new theme: “Our Patients are Superheroes” with “superhero training camp” games
- Rex the Dinosaur, mascot of The Children's Museum of Indianapolis
- A detective and arson K-9 from the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department
- A local live band with kids from the Carmel School of Rock
- Indianapolis Mix 105 Internet Radio station
- A bike helmet giveaway and decoration station from Momentum Indy
- A trauma and concussion prevention station with the Injury Prevention Program at Riley
- ECMO simulation station
Supporting this event can help expand innovative technology, like ECMO, along with critical care research, travel education grants and bringing in nationally recognized speakers that benefit not just the ICU, but all of Riley and the IU School of Medicine Department of Pediatrics.
Although fundraising is an added benefit of this event, Frye reassured that the main purpose of the walk-a-thon is to reconnect and remember.
“The fundraising is part of it, but our main focus has always been on being able to bring patients and families to this event that we feel is very important,” Frye said.
To discover ways to get involved in the 10th annual walk-a-thon, visit the event website to learn more.
