Fourteen-year-old Charley Rasmussen of Marion will be recognized as the University of Iowa’s Kid Captain during the Iowa Hawkeyes football game against Wisconsin on Saturday, October 31.
Charley’s journey with a rare medical condition began in 2017, when she started kindergarten. What began as frequent stomachaches, sore throats and exhaustion quickly became more serious. She lost 20 pounds in one month and experienced daily vomiting and severe abdominal pain.
Her parents, Becky and Herb Rasmussen, initially struggled to find answers as Charley’s condition continued to worsen. After visits to several medical providers, she was referred to University of Iowa Health Care Stead Family Children’s Hospital for further evaluation.
In January 2018, additional testing led to a diagnosis of Addison’s disease, also known as primary adrenal insufficiency. The rare condition occurs when the adrenal glands do not produce enough essential hormones, including cortisol and, in some cases, aldosterone. Without treatment, the disease can become life-threatening.
Charley now takes steroid medication three times a day to replace the cortisol her body cannot produce. She continues to receive specialized medical care to manage her condition and other ongoing health concerns.
Despite these challenges, Charley remains active in softball, volleyball, swimming and basketball. She also enjoys baking, cooking, writing poetry and babysitting her cousins.
Charley has also taken steps to educate others about Addison’s disease, including recording a podcast for her school to raise awareness about the condition. She hopes to work in a hospital someday, possibly in pediatrics.
Her family credits the team at Stead Family Children’s Hospital with helping identify her condition and providing continued support throughout her medical journey.
“Without Stead Family Children’s Hospital, I do not know if my daughter would be here today,” her mother, Becky, said.
The Kid Captain program recognizes young patients and their families whose experiences reflect the care and support provided by University of Iowa Health Care Stead Family Children’s Hospital.
Charley will be honored during the Iowa Hawkeyes’ matchup against Wisconsin on October 31.
Source: University of Iowa Health Care Stead Family Children’s Hospital
