For The Kids Way: Street Renamed FTK
This post was submitted by Dance Marathon participants Erin Glenn and Grace Tencer for Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals through childrensmiraclenetworkhospitals.org/guest-post.
A street is a means of getting from one place to another. In our day to day lives it can seem so insignificant. Most times, we don’t have a second thought about the street we’re driving on, we only focus on where we’re trying to go next. For the patients at the UI Stead Family Children’s Hospital, this might not be the case. Every street they turn on during their journey is one street closer to the unknown. For a child and their family, this car ride can be uneasy.
As of April 26th however, these families will be greeted with hope. As they drive down the street that will ultimately lead them to the parking garage at the UI Stead Family Children’s Hospital, they will see the black and gold “For The Kids Way” street sign, and they will be reminded of the army of support they have behind them as they begin their journey.
On Friday, April 26th 2019, Team Iowa Dance Marathons were honored with the renaming of S. Hospital Drive to “For the Kids Way.” In attendance for the renaming was University President Bruce Harreld, Vice President for Student Life Dr. Melissa Shivers, as well as hospital staff, UIDM participants, and even some families from inside the hospital.
Together, everyone stood around as we listened to what the renaming of For The Kids Way would mean for the University of Iowa Stead Family Children’s Hospital and every family that is touched by Dance Marathons across Iowa. FTK Way is a reminder that all of the hours spent fundraising, dancing, and supporting these families truly does make an impact. UI Dance Marathon is honored that the university recognizes the fight that each Dance Marathon across the state has joined. Without each and every Dance Marathon on Team Iowa and the countless donors and sponsors that make our toteboards happen, FTK Way would not be possible. 
o Cedar Rapids Dance Marathon (Coe College)
o Central College Dance Marathon
o Clarke University Dance Marathon
o Drake Dance Marathon
o Grand View Dance Marathon
o Iowa State University Dance Marathon
o Kirkwood College Dance Marathon
o Loras College Dance Marathon
o Luther College Dance Marathon
o Mount Mercy University Dance Marathon
o St. Ambrose Dance Marathon
o Stormathon (Simpson College Dance Marathon)
o University of Iowa Dance Marathon
o University of Northern Iowa Dance Marathon
o Upper Iowa University Dance Marathon
o Wartburg College Dance Marathon
As families journey to and from the UI Stead Family Children’s Hospital from now on, they will be greeted with the reminder of the large group of college students who are standing beside them, ready to lift them up. All because of the words “For The Kids.”