Summer 2008 - Arkansas Children's Hospital

DONORSRemembering Bobby NeillThe ACH Foundation Board recently designated funds to establishthe Bobby J. Neill Endowed Fund in honor of Bobby Neill ofMagnolia, to recognize his service and philanthropic leadership.Neill, who died in November 2007, was a member of theFoundation board for 10 years.“Bobby was just a delightful man and one of our most faithfulFoundation board members,” says Frances Buchanan, member ofThe ACH Foundation board. “He was enthusiastic about anythinghe was asked to do and he shared that enthusiasm and his true lovefor this hospital with everyone.”In addition to his service on the board and his own giving, Neillwas active through the forestry industry with the Log A Load ForKids program.Log A Load is a national program whose chapters raise funds fortheir local children’s hospitals. Neill was an early supporter of theArkansas program, helping get it started and inspiring others tokeep it going. Since the program began in 1993, loggers andmembers of the forestry community have raised more than $3.3million for ACH.“This recognition pays tribute to Bobby’s extraordinary service,”says Buchanan. “We suffered with him through what turned outto be a long illness and we were all touched by his optimism anddignity, and we miss him as a partner in our efforts to helpchildren.”The late Bobby Neill with his wife, Laura, at an ACHevent in 2007.Anonymous Gift to Aid Neurology Services in NWAThe ACH Foundation recently received a gift from ananonymous donor in Northwest Arkansas. The $70,800donation was designated for two projects at the Center forChildren in Lowell.The gift is designated for the purchase of a new EEG(electroencephalogram) machine and renovation related to itsinstallation. The remaining funds will be used to create asubspecialty fund to assist in bringing new clinics to theCenter for Children.An EEG measures and records the electrical activity of thebrain. Certain conditions, such as seizures, can be seen by thechanges in the normal pattern of the brain’s electrical activity.New pediatric neurology services began at the Center in July.“We are grateful for the generous support of thisanonymous donor family and their vision to see pediatricsubspecialty services expand in the fastest growing part ofArkansas,” says John Bel, ACH Foundation president. “Thisis truly a wonderful gift and a great way to welcome pediatricneurology services and other future subspecialties closer tohome for patients and families in Northwest Arkansas.”The Center for Children in Lowell is a collaborationbetween Arkansas Children’s Hospital and the University ofArkansas for Medical Sciences Department of Pediatrics. TheCenter currently offers 17 specialty pediatric clinics availableto children in Northwest Arkansas.16