From the Nominator

In October 2023, the University of Iowa publicly launched its “Together Hawkeyes” campaign, which involves raising $3 billion and engaging 300,000 alumni and friends. For our campaign launch event, we wanted to produce an inspirational collection of stories that showed the life-changing impact of philanthropy. In Iowa City, there’s nothing more inspirational than the strength and resolve of young patients receiving care at the University of Iowa Stead Family Children’s Hospital. We knew we would feature this jewel of our university; we just didn’t yet know how. Cut to our staff photographer meeting our video’s hero, 11-year-old Kinley Albrecht, through an unrelated project for Children’s Miracle Network. Kinley had recently been selected as a Kid Champion and needed photos taken for marketing materials. After meeting Kinley, we knew we needed to put her in front of a camera, get out of her way, and let her tell her story. Our staff videographer and photographer filmed and gathered all the footage and Albrecht family home videos. The piece was profoundly impactful. When shown at the launch event, it brought tears to the eyes of attendees. Kinley's family credits the care and support received at Stead Family Children's Hospital as the reason she's alive today. Now, she’s happy, healthy, and lending encouraging words to Iowa’s pediatric patients. “You’ll have your ups and downs," she said. "Just know that you’ll be okay, and you have great doctors and nurses who will take care of you. Together, Hawkeyes beat cancer.”

From the Judges

This video is a is a moving testament to the power of storytelling. By featuring 11-year-old Kinley Albrecht, who received care at the University of Iowa Stead Family Children’s Hospital, the video captures her resilience and gratitude, resonating with viewers and inspiring support for the campaign. The editing webbed together an authentic connection with Kinley, her family, and the audience viewing the piece.