Summer 2003 - Arkansas Children's Hospital

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AUXILIARY GROUPS Small Miracles Celebrated Circle of Friends members past and present gathered on May 30 and 31 on the campus of Arkansas Children’s Hospital to recognize “Twenty Years of Celebrating Small Miracles.” That was the theme of this year’s annual state conference, as the statewide volunteer organization enjoyed its 20th year of service to Arkansas Children’s Hospital. Circle of Friends, known as TWIGS in the early days, was started in 1983 with a committee of only seven volunteers. Today, the group, boasting 700 members, has grown into one of the largest volunteer networks in the state. A total of 18 chapters encompass the state, bringing the mission of care, love and hope begun by Arkansas Children’s Hospital one step closer to each Arkansas community. The focus of the chapters is not only to raise funds, but also to bring educational and outreach programs to their communities in an effort to keep kids safe and healthy and to hopefully prevent them from ever needing to set foot inside Arkansas Children’s Hospital. The state conference is a time to come together, celebrate the achievements of the past year and get motivated for the upcoming year of projects. As a part of the conference, members had the opportunity to tour the hospital and hear from guest speakers. They were able to see and hear about the amazing things that their support makes possible. The conference wrapped up with an awards ceremony to recognize those chapters which have gone above and beyond in their efforts for the year. Past Circle of Friends presidents were on hand as special guests, and the founder of the group, Anne Hickman, was the featured speaker. Circle of Friends director Cristy Holland Sowell announced that in 20 years the group had donated more than $5.8 million to the hospital. “You are proof that kind hearts and determination can make a difference in the lives of children,” said Holland Sowell during the program. “Circle of Friends chapters have created and committed themselves to a legacy of care, love and hope. Over a span of 20 years, children have grown up and had families of their own...children who might not have had a chance at tomorrow if not for your thoughtful efforts and amazing perseverance.” Circle of Friends State Board member Angela Walls, with children Kaitlyn and Jaelyn, presented the 2002 Circle of Friends contribution of $455,000 to Jennifer Irwin of KPOM/KFAA in Fort Smith/ Fayetteville during the Children’s Miracle Network Telethon. During the Children’s Miracle Network Telethon ACH Auxiliary president Jane Arthurs (left) presented the organization’s fundraising total of $211,600 to Jennifer Irwin. ACH’s Auxiliary Has a Goal-Busting Year Members of the Arkansas Children’s Hospital’s Auxiliary recently completed their fundraising year and announced that they exceeded their goal of $185,000. The Auxiliary, established in 1967, has 350 women — the highest membership in its history — and this year’s gift was $211,600. In addition to dues, the Auxiliary has three primary fundraising projects: the Playaway Gift Shop, the Holiday Card Project and STAR ACHievers. The Playaway Gift Shop was the largest generator of funds. The majority of the staff in the gift shop are volunteers who work along with the paid employees. The Holiday Card Project features cards designed by former or current patients and by a chosen guest artist. Operating with volunteers only, sales are conducted through mail and phone orders, ACH’s website, the Playaway Gift Shop and retail outlets statewide. Sponsors underwrite the cost of the cards. Begun last year, the STAR ACHievers program is designed to introduce 14-year-old girls to the hospital and the healthcare profession. The girls have the opportunity to attend monthly lectures, roundtable discussions and events beginning in September. “Our major purpose is to raise money for the hospital,” said outgoing president Jane Arthurs. “Through these projects, Auxiliary members give their time, energy and talents to provide critical funding for the hospital and the ACH Research Institute.” 14
CHILDREN’S MIRACLE NETWORK LOG A LOAD: Making Miracles Possible What does a truckload of logs remind you of? For some people, it is a reminder of roadway frustrations. For Tammy Hill, a nurse at Arkansas Children’s Hospital’s Infant and Toddler Unit, it is a reminder of her father, James “J.D.” Vaught, who died in April 2003. Vaught, a logger in Dierks, was a member of Log A Load For Kids, a Children’s Miracle Network national sponsor. For 10 years, the Log A Load For Kids program has provided care, love and hope to the patients of Arkansas Children’s Hospital. Through June 2003, Log A Load has raised more than $2.5 million for ACH. Through Log A Load, people in the forest products industry raise money for ACH through live and silent auctions, fish fries, and much more. The many truckers, loggers and One of J.D. other timber industry professionals who Vaught’s belong to Log A Load are a committed, favorite hats hardworking, fun-loving group. They was his Log A realize that kids are our most precious Load For Kids resource and work to raise money so hat. that children can get the care they need, when they need it. J.D. Vaught looked forward to selling raffle tickets at events every year to raise money for ACH. One year he single-handedly sold $8,000 in tickets, the most in his district. “Instead of asking people whether they wanted to buy a ticket, he asked how many they would like,” says Hill. “ He always went the extra mile to raise money for Arkansas Children’s Hospital.” Perhaps a large part of Vaught’s drive to be a top seller was his personal connection to the hospital and his understanding of the life-saving medical care, love and hope that only Arkansas Children’s Hospital can provide. Two of his grandsons have been hospitalized at Arkansas Children’s Hospital and his daughter is an ACH employee. “I know my father would want more people to be aware of Log A Load For Kids,” says Hill. “Every time you see a log truck, I hope it reminds you of the many dedicated drivers and others in the timber industry who help benefit not only the ill children of our state, but also across the globe.” The members of Log A Load have helped Arkansas’ children in a number of ways. They help maintain state-ofthe-art helicopters that can be anywhere within the state in less than one hour through the Log A Load For Kids Endowment Fund. These helicopters carry the most critically ill and injured children to ACH. Log A Load has also helped to mend the broken hearts, both literally and figuratively, of patients and their families through its support of the cardiac program at ACH. The funding of the Log A Load Endowed Chair in Pediatric Cardiovascular Surgery helped ACH recruit world-renowned heart surgeon, Dr. Jonathan Drummond-Webb. Along with a stellar staff of pediatric cardiac specialists, Dr. Drummond-Webb has transformed the ACH Heart Center into one of the top in the nation. Miracles happen every day at ACH. The support of people like J.D. Vaught and the many people he represents, and organizations such as Log A Load For Kids, help make those miracles possible. Will Fish 4 Kids More than 140 anglers gathered at Beaver Lake on April 13 and 14 to cast their lines in search of a prize-winning bass in the annual Will Fish 4 Kids tournament.Wal-Mart supplier and vendor company volunteers organized the event and presented a check for $74,000 to Arkansas Children’s Hospital.Winners (center) Justin Harveston and Scott Martin of Stanley Works were presented trophies by Adrienne Sapp and Bill Kerr of Wal-Mart.Wal- Mart Foundation was headline sponsor for the event. 15
Page 2 and 3: CONTENTS 3 4 10 3 ROBOTIC HELP IN T
Page 4 and 5: PATIENTS AND FAMILIES WE HAVE KNOWN
Page 6 and 7: RESEARCH CDC Awards Grant to Charlo
Page 8 and 9: GIVING MILLIE GARRISON: Turning Tra
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Page 12 and 13: CHILDREN’S CIRCLE OF CARE Major D
Page 16: Legends in the Rock The playroom at

Summer 2003 - Arkansas Children's Hospital

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