MercyOne, River Bandits to honor Clinton boy at Home Runs for Life

A 9-year-old boy from Clinton, Iowa, will be honored at the Quad Cities River Bandits game Friday, June 13, for overcoming challenges with the help of MercyOne Genesis Bettendorf Pediatric Therapy.

Riley Olmstead, a MercyOne Genesis “Home Runs for Life” honoree, will be recognized during an on-field ceremony at the end of the first inning, which starts at 6:30 p.m. at Modern Woodman Park, 209 S. Gaines St., Davenport, Iowa. A video about Riley will be shown.

MercyOne Genesis and the River Bandits have partnered since 2016 to recognize success stories of physical therapy and rehabilitation patients.

Riley was diagnosed with brain cancer at age 6, a MercyOne Genesis news release said. Before treatment at MercyOne Genesis Bettendorf Pediatric Therapy, he could not get out of his wheelchair, sit without bracing his hands or move around. 

Riley has medulloblastoma, a cancerous brain tumor. The initial tumor resection caused posterior fossa syndrome, which affects speech, coordination and behavior.

With therapy, Riley’s quality of life has improved, the release said. He can navigate a room independently and transfer in and out of his wheelchair on good days. 

His father, Jason Olmstead, said his son used to play soccer, swim and do backflips. While Riley cannot walk yet, he can hold a fork and feed himself, things he could not do two years ago. He said he wants to walk and return to school with his friends.

Home Runs for Life recognizes MercyOne Genesis’ physical therapy and rehabilitation patients’ success stories. Honorees are recognized three times a year at River Bandits games.