Event Schedules

5 in 25: A Nationwide Week of Hope

Saturday, September 13, 2025

This year, Extend the Wave is going bigger than ever. On September 13, 2025, we’re bringing the Iowa Wave to five children’s hospitals in five cities — with an entire Week of Hope leading up to the big day.

Throughout the week, each hospital will host special activities designed to bring joy, encouragement, and connection to children and families facing medical battles. From personalized surprises to athlete visits, every moment is a reminder that they are not alone.

The week culminates in our signature Wave Watch Tailgate Party, featuring:

Face painters
Therapy dog visits
T-shirts and swag
Music, games, and tailgate lunch
And of course — the Iowa Wave!

This year’s cities include:

Orlando, Florida
Des Moines, Iowa
St. Louis, Missouri
Worcester, Massachusetts
San Diego, California

Join us as we extend a wave of hope to kids across the country!

We are looking for:

Board Members who bring passion, leadership, and a heart for helping families in children’s hospitals.
Athletes who want to use their platform to inspire courage and resilience in the next generation.
Donors who believe in the power of hope and want to fuel our mission forward.
Volunteers who are ready to roll up their sleeves and be a light in someone’s hardest moment.

Full schedules, hospital partners, and volunteer opportunities coming soon.

Extending the Wave

The Hawkeye WAVE has become one of the most cherished traditions in college football.

At the end of the first quarter of all Iowa Hawkeye home football games, 70,000 individuals, including fans, players, coaches, and officials, unite to send a WAVE of hope to children and their families at the Stead Children's Hospital, which overlooks Kinnick Stadium.

This wave of kindness isn’t just a gesture—it’s a lifeline, a beacon of hope offering children and their families a brief respite from the challenges they face in the hospital. It’s a reminder that, even in the darkest times, we stand together.

The Hawkeye Wave holds an even deeper meaning for Kimberly Stevens, the founder of Extend The Wave.

Two years after the 1992 death of her baby son, Braden, to Citrullinemia, Kimberly’s daughter, Victoria, was diagnosed with the same disease. Doctors feared Victoria would not survive even one week. Kimberly refused to give up yet despite her diligence Victoria spent four years in and out of life-threatening crises resulting in numerous hospitalizations. Victoria was “cured” by a 1997 liver transplant. and today, VICTORIA IS THRIVING! The first Extend the wave event in 2023 was inspired by gratitude for Victoria’s miraculous 30th birthday.

With all this in mind, Kimberly and her two surviving children: Victoria and Daniel are on a mission to inspire others to NEVER GIVE UP.

Your Support Makes a Difference

NEVER GIVE UP, These three words mean everything to the families we serve. When you donate, you're not just giving money - you're giving a reminder that they have a community rooting for them, believing in them. You're sending a wave of hope that says;

We are with you. You are not alone.

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