Hut, hut, hike! Riley Hospital for Children at Indiana University Health and Andrew Luck, quarterback of the Indianapolis Colts, are kicking off their landmark “Change the Play” initiative—a novel program designed to empower kids to take charge of their health and wellness.
Change the Play, developed by Riley at IU Health experts in partnership with Luck, will launch with eight weekly challenges that give kids the know-how they need to make positive fitness, nutrition and health choices—both now and in the future. Each week, beginning on April 15, Luck will roll out a new challenge online at iuhealth.org/changetheplay. All of the challenges include a fitness and nutrition component, along with expert health advice.
“As a leading children’s hospital, we feel it’s our responsibility to not only care for the health of the patients within our walls, but to improve the health and wellness of all kids,” said Riley at IU Health President and CEO Dr. Jeff Sperring. “Together with Andrew, we are giving children the tools they need to make healthier choices every day.”
Parents are encouraged to sign their kids up for the free, Web-based program. For eight Hoosier families, that simple mouse-click will be the ticket to an in-person meeting with Luck at the Indiana Farm Bureau Football Center in July. “Thanks to my parents, I learned at an early age what a difference a healthy lifestyle can make,” said Luck. “With Change the Play, I want to kick-start a movement that inspires kids to be the quarterback of their own health.”
