Bennett Pace: 2026 Riley Champion presented by Kroger

Bennett Pace loves sports. He plays basketball and especially loves baseball, playing catcher for his team — doing so with what he calls “my fat kidney.”

Jossi and Josh Pace were optimistic about having a healthy baby boy, even after a prenatal diagnosis of a kidney condition called hydronephrosis. Doctors told them this usually resolves before birth, and chances were their son would be fine.

“But we got ‘lucky!’” Jossi laughed jokingly as she explained that one of Bennett’s kidneys did not drain properly, causing dangerous swelling.

Nine years and three surgeries later, Bennett and his family are hoping the surgeries are behind them. Bennett’s kidney is back to normal size, and although the damage is still there, his kidney function has improved.

“As of right now, we’re tracking in the right direction,” Josh said.

Richard Rink, M.D., a pediatric urologist at Riley Children’s Health, is behind Bennett’s surgeries. Dr. Rink has been with Riley Children’s since 1985. The pediatric urology program at Riley that Bennett sees is among the top 10 nationally ranked programs by U.S. News & World Report.

“That level of expertise stays at home, here in Indiana,” Josh said. “Donor money keeps physicians like Dr. Rink close.”

Bennett’s annual check-up with Dr. Rink each December has become a holiday tradition for the Paces.

“We stop in the gift shop and then we take a photo by the Christmas tree,” Jossi said. “When visiting Dr. Rink, he not only explains things to us, but he makes sure Bennett understands, too.”

Bennett was young when he had his surgeries, and the Riley staff made those hospital stays special for Jonstyn, Bennett’s sister, who had to tag along.

“The things that people don’t see that really helped us through the process were all the nurses and support staff,” Josh said. “These are all the people you spend much more time with than the doctor.”

Bennett’s family regularly advocates for Riley in their community. Jossi led a Riley Dance Marathon in Bloomington for five years. Both Bennett and Jonstyn share their fundraising pages for Riley Dance Marathons with friends and family. And Jossi and Josh’s work in education gives them a unique perspective on how Bennett’s story resonates with students.

Josh tells Bennett’s story at various fundraisers. As he’s getting older and now as a Riley Champion, Bennett tells his own story, too.

“He’s able to explain it in his terms,” Jossi said. “He calls it ‘my fat kidney.’”