Jha'Vion Shelton

Indianapolis, Indiana

Jha’Vion Shelton loves football, basketball, playing games, and spending time with his cousins. When he was 10 years old, Jha’Vion came to the emergency room at Riley Hospital for Children at Indiana University Health with what his family thought was an allergic reaction. He was diagnosed with Henoch-Schonlein purpura (HSP), a rare disease that was attacking his kidneys. For the next few years, Jha’Vion visited Riley three times a week for dialysis. He received a new kidney on September 22, 2020.

Jha’Vion continues to visit Riley for regular appointments while he recovers from his transplant. Jha’Vion’s family is grateful for his entire care team, from the dialysis nurses to the Riley School Program teachers who help the 15-year-old keep up with his schoolwork. “Even though the patient is going through a life-changing thing, the staff give them that confidence and motivation that they’ll be okay and they can still do what they put their mind to,” said Jha’Vion’s mother, Tanya Baylor.

Delenn Antanovich

Columbia City, Indiana

Delenn Antanovich’s favorite things include ice cream, sledding, and performing with an inclusive cheerleading squad. Delenn’s parents learned that she had spina bifida at a 19-week ultrasound, and Delenn underwent her first surgery at Riley Hospital for Children at Indiana University Health when she was just three hours old. During her first six months of life, her family traveled to Riley 50 times for appointments with multiple specialists.

Today, Delenn visits most of her Riley caregivers once a year, and has appointments with Riley Pediatric Urologist Richard C. Rink, M.D., every six months. Delenn’s relationship with the Urology team is particularly special, and her mother says she speeds toward them when they see each other in the hallway! Delenn also appreciates that the Riley team members help her feel comfortable before surgery. Sometimes they put bandages on her stuffed animals to match how her own bandages look after a procedure. “Riley is awesome!” she said. The 10-year-old also likes to play Minecraft, make slime, ride horses, swim, and see the stingrays at the zoo.

Annisyn Gundrum

Portland, Indiana

Annisyn Gundrum’s favorite things include unicorns, pizza, and Nutella. When Annisyn was born, she was unable to open her eyes. She was diagnosed with ptosis and congenital fibrosis of the extraocular muscles, and at 11 months old she underwent her first eye surgery at Riley Hospital for Children at Indiana University Health. On the day of Annisyn’s latest surgery in December 2020, her Riley caregivers crowned her “Queen for a Day.” They gave her a crown to wear and let her listen to Christmas music in the operating room while she went to sleep.

Annisyn visits Riley for routine checkups between surgeries, and her family says that Riley Pediatric Opthalmologist Kathryn Haider, M.D., knows Annisyn like the back of her hand! Two years ago, Annisyn began hosting an annual lemonade stand to give back to the hospital that has helped her. “They make sure you have the best care possible,” she said. In addition to supporting Riley, the fifth-grader loves swimming, dancing, and bowling.