About the Iowa Wave ShirT 

On September 2, 2017, nearly 70,000 people stood together and waved for the first time to the children at University of Iowa Stead Family Children’s Hospital (UISFCH). In that simple gesture, a tradition was born—one that has come to embody hope, compassion, generosity, and the extraordinary spirit of the Hawkeye community.

Like so many others, we were moved by The Wave. What began as a simple idea—to create a shirt celebrating this remarkable tradition while raising money for the children and families at UISFCH—quickly became something far greater than we could have imagined.

Hawkeye fans, friends of UISFCH, and generous hearts from across Iowa and throughout the country rallied around the Iowa Wave Shirt. Thousands have worn their shirts at Kinnick Stadium, shared The Wave from communities across the country, packed their Wave Shirts for vacations around the world, and given generously to show children and families facing some of their most difficult days that they are not alone.

Together, this community has demonstrated the meaning behind the words Iowa City Fights Together®.

In the first eight seasons of The Wave, the Iowa Wave Shirt community has donated more than $3 million to UISFCH. Those dollars are helping make a meaningful difference in pediatric care today while investing in discoveries that can change the lives of children tomorrow.

Today, every person who supports the Iowa Wave Shirt helps fund enhanced patient care and innovative research through the Iowa Wave Shirt Pediatric Research Fund, Iowa Wave Shirt Child Life Fund, Iowa Wave Shirt Pediatric Nephrology Research Fund, Adolescent and Young Adult Cancer Center, and care provided through the Child Health Specialty Clinics.

What started with nearly 70,000 people raising their hands toward a hospital has grown into a community of people raising funds, raising awareness, and—most importantly—raising hope.

One Wave. One community. Millions of reasons to keep giving.

Thank you for continuing to Wave with us.

Meet the families behind the Iowa Wave Shirt:

John Mickelson, a former Hawkeye football player who earned his MBA and JD at The University of Iowa, and his wife, Brooke, a University of Iowa graduate and former Miss Iowa USA, have a son who is currently treated at UISFCH. Hunter’s treatment began in 2015 as an infant when he was diagnosed with a life-threatening genetic condition, nephrogenic diabetes insipidus. The Mickelson’s, who have three older boys, spent two and a half weeks at UISFCH to stabilize Hunter’s then life-threatening condition. Hunter is now treated monthly by a UISFCH pediatric nephrologist. While his prognosis is excellent, his condition will demand continued care throughout his life. Hunter is also closely followed by the pediatric genetics team due to the rarity of his condition as well as a team of endocrine doctors for a non related thyroid issue.

When Cy Phillips, also a former Hawkeye football player and University of Iowa graduate, and his wife Meighan started dating during their freshman year at the University of Iowa, they had no idea they would ever utilize the medical resources of the University’s renowned children’s hospital. In the summer of 2016, that changed in an instant. The parents of four have a daughter, Genevieve, born in 2013, who was treated at UISFCH for a life-threatening acute illness in 2016 that developed after she contracted E.coli. Genevieve’s medical condition escalated when the infection developed into Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome, and she was sent via ambulance to UISFCH when medical resources to fight her condition were not available in Des Moines. Genevieve made a full recovery, though the nephrology team in Iowa City will continue to follow her progress through her teen years.

Lifelong Hawkeye fans and longtime supporters of children’s causes, Jason and Lori Willis joined with the Mickelson and Phillips families to create an effort rooted in their shared love for the Hawkeyes and a desire to make a meaningful difference for the children and families at University of Iowa Stead Family Children’s Hospital (UISFCH).

Jason grew up in Des Moines attending Hawkeye games and has fond memories of family tailgates outside Kinnick Stadium and cheering the Hawkeyes on to countless victories. Years later, that game-day tradition became one Jason and Lori shared with their own three children, who have grown up making their own memories at Kinnick and cheering alongside their family.

As parents, Jason and Lori have long focused much of their philanthropic giving on organizations and initiatives that improve the lives of children. The Iowa Wave Shirt brought together two things especially meaningful to their family—their lifelong connection to the Hawkeyes and their commitment to helping children.

What began as a way to celebrate a remarkable new tradition has become an enduring part of their family’s own Hawkeye story—and an opportunity to help ensure The Wave makes an impact far beyond game day.

Click here to learn more about Krista Young, the woman who started The Wave! 

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