Ezra Hayden: 2025 Riley Champion
In the summer of 2021, 7-year-old Ezra Hayden was excited to go fishing with friends. Out of nowhere, Ezra became ill and started vomiting uncontrollably. He hadn’t eaten anything unusual that day and was otherwise fine. However, in the weeks and months to follow, Ezra had more and more of these episodes.
His parents began keeping a journal to track the details: what he ate, what he was doing and the emotions he experienced that day. They could not find a pattern and worried he wasn’t getting enough nutrition. The episodes were disruptive, causing Ezra to miss school, piano concerts and other activities. After visiting his pediatrician in Lafayette and continuing to journal, Ezra was referred to Riley Children’s Health.
After many tests and appointments, Sara Naramore, M.D., a pediatric gastroenterologist at Riley Children's Health, diagnosed Ezra with cyclical vomiting syndrome.
“After visiting Riley Hospital and getting a diagnosis and treatment plan, it became much easier for us to manage,” said Ezra’s mother, Gaylene Hayden. “It can be triggered by emotional stressors, happening mostly when he’s nervous, but now his episodes are much less frequent, and he is able to manage them with medication.”
Ezra is now a fourth-grader at Faith Christian School. He enjoys public speaking and has a YouTube channel on which he interviews community members, Riley Hospital physicians and staff, and local and national celebrities. Ezra has appeared often on WISH-TV News 8 as a recurring contributor and WLFI News 18 in his hometown.
“Ezra always makes me smile and has a great attitude, even if he hasn't been feeling well recently,” said Dr. Naramore. “He is very well-spoken and mature for his age. He will be a great advocate and champion for Riley.”
He uses these platforms to advocate for Riley and promote fundraising. He has interviewed Child Life Specialists from Riley and a cardiothoracic surgeon at IU Health Arnett Hospital while playing a game of Operation on the operating table. Ezra volunteers monthly at Riley Hospital to host Bingo on Riley KIDS TV5 and plans to use his platform to bring more attention to the hospital and to encourage children.
“I am so excited to be an ambassador for Riley and to help other kids see that you don’t need to be anxious or scared to go to the doctor,” said Ezra. “Sometimes you have to miss out on things, but it’s a challenge we’ve been given to work through. Don’t be afraid to ask for help and to find fun little distractions to help you feel better.”