We are skating 340 miles across the state of Ohio to raise money for pediatric palliative and child life services.
AUGUST 9TH, We ROLLED! Still time to donate!
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** Jay (Ohio.Skates)
**Luke (Just.do.things)
6 days, 2 Rollerbladers, 1 entire state
July 12th, 2025. James “Jay” Meyer and Luke Carrell will attempt to cross the state of Ohio on Rollerblades to benefit the palliative care and child life services at Cleveland’s University Hospital Rainbow Babies Children’s Hospital. They will make the 340 mile journey carrying backpacking gear and sleeping and eating along the trail.
In 2020, during COVID-19 skaters Jay, Luke and their friend Connor made a 3-day 155 mile journey from Edgewater Park in Cleveland to Nationwide Arena in downtown Columbus. When it was over, many of those who supported them suggested that IF they do it again, to raise money for a charitable cause. Last year they didn’t stop in Columbus. They made the trip across the entire State and raised money for a good cause.
They will leave Cincinnati on July 12th, to arrive at Rainbow Babies children’s hospital on Cleveland On July 18th,
Jay, a father of a childhood cancer survivor suggested they partner up with UH Rainbow Babies Children’s Hospital, and focus on the additional services kids and their families need to make the most of a life-threatening illness. Luke, who has worked with students with disabilities for over a decade agreed.
Child Life Supplies Provided
• Distraction items used for procedural support and coping during healthcare
experiences
• Sensory/special needs items to support patients who are on the spectrum or
have special needs (i.e. weighted blankets, noise cancelling headphones)
• Medical play supplies when using play to help children understand healthcare
experiences in a developmentally appropriate, individualized way (items to
create pretend blood, medical equipment to outfit dolls for play, medical play
kits made for children)
• Basic art and craft supplies to keep the inpatient activity centers stocked
• Color printing capabilities, laminators, laminating pouches, photo paper,
cardstock, mylar balloons and industrial helium tank (including helium refills 3-4
times per year), age appropriate health-related books for preparation and
education
• Maintenance of digital technology (iPads) and video game systems, including
replacement game controllers, game cartridges, chargers as needed
Help us raise money for University Hospitals Rainbow Babies Child Life Services and the Akron Children’s Hospital River of Life, Pediatric Palliative Care and have fun along the way!
Follow Jay and Luke as they live stream the journey backpacking across the state on skates, your heard that right, rollerblades…
University Hospitals is a 501(c)3 tax-exempt organization and your donation is tax-deductible within the guidelines of U.S. law. To claim a donation as a deduction on your U.S. taxes, please keep your email donation receipt as your official record. We’ll send it to you upon successful completion of your donation.
For any additional questions regarding making donations to Rainbow Babies & Children’s, please reach out to Holly Gibson in UH Development at holly.gibson@uhhospitals.org
Corporate Sponsors: (For more information about being a corporate sponsor please contact jay@ohioskates.com
Our Benefactors
Pediatric Palliative and Child Life Services
When families find out that their child is sick with a severe medical diagnosis, like cancer for example, the care that they need doesn’t stop with clinical treatment. Thanks to these service families get counseling, children get toy, activities, fun visitors and so much more. Read the details below.
Child Life Services
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