Easton Valley Freshman Raises Money to Help Kids Like Her

The following story has Information that has been provided by Kendra & Corey Driscoll.

When Kendyl was around the age of 2 1/2 she often complained of her belly hurting, had frequent diarrhea and blood in her stools.  After seeing her primary doctor the decision was made to refer her to a Gastroenterologist.  After several lab tests and biopsies from a colonoscopy, Kendyl was diagnosed with Ulcerative Colitis.  She had many failures with oral antibiotics, several other colonoscopies, and when she was around 4, Kendyl’s family made the decision to transfer her care to the University of Iowa. She started with Dr. Bishop and he spent so much time and detail with Kendyl and her parents at every visit. He started her on a new oral medication regimen that worked for  a while but then her body began to reject it which led into other complications.  She would experience chronic fatigue, low iron levels, weight loss and abdominal pain.  She was then started on a medication that was an injection which was taught to do herself. That worked for awhile but then again, her body became unresponsive to it which has led us to where we are now. She is currently doing infusion treatments every 8 weeks under Dr. Ebach’s care.

Kendyl serves as one of the 2024 Children Miracle Network Champion kids. This is Kendyl’s 4th year fundraising and it all started with a little lemonade stand. She knew she wanted to give back to the hospital and to the kids who aren’t as fortunate as her to be able to come home after every check up. Kendyl, and her family have had 4 side x side rides and 4 big lemonade stands.  This year’s annual side by side ride was held on Saturday, October 26th, starting at the Downtown Pub, in Preston.  The day was nothing short of amazing. So many wonderful people came out and supported her wonderful cause and was able to raise a little over $34,000. So between the lemonade stand held this summer and just this past sxs ride, Kendyl will be able to present a check to the children’s hospital for around $41,000. She has an appointment for her infusion in two weeks and we are hoping to be able to present the check then.  Because of her dedication and commitment, Kendyl has an inpatient room located on Level 10 at the Children’s Hospital named in her honor. 

Kendyl is 14 years old  and is a freshman at Easton Valley High School. She has a younger sister, Kenzley, 2 dogs and 2 cats.  Kendyl stays very active. She’s involved in volleyball, basketball, track, golf and softball.  She is a very smart, hardworking, and caring young lady.  She works at Geno’s Pizza and also helps her dad, Corey, cater. She loves to help her mom, Kendra, with volunteering in the community.  Whatever is asked of her, she does it.  She’s always putting other people’s needs before hers.  She may come off shy at first, but don’t let her fool you, she is a very bubbly, beautiful, belly laughing girl.  She is a huge Iowa Hawkeye fan, and now an Indiana Fever fan! She enjoys going to the Iowa football games and both men and women basketball games. In the future she would like to attend Iowa to study nursing.  She is so incredibly grateful for all the support she has received in her fundraising goals and can’t thank everyone enough.