Winter 2009 - Arkansas Children's Hospital

DONORSDenny andMargaretMcConathyChildren’s Circle of Care Spotlight:Denny and MargaretMcConathy■ Kila OwensFamily ties run deep for Denny and MargaretMcConathy.For 64 years, the pair have lived in El Dorado, wherethey began their marriage, raised their children and noware enjoying a relaxing retirement.Each of the McConathys’ daughters – Dana, Ginaand Leah – live near their parents and frequently visit.The McConathys consider themselves fortunate.“We know just how lucky we are that we live herewith all of our children and grandchildren nearby,” saysMargaret. “We just have so much fun, all of ustogether.”The family came to know ACH personally in 2003,when Gina’s middle son, Ryan, first visited the hospital.Ryan was diagnosed with an inguinal hernia shortlyafter birth, which was treated at ACH six months later.The next few years were relatively calm, until 2006when Gina found a suspicious lump on Ryan’s neck.Gina rushed Ryan to his local pediatrician who wasconcerned that Ryan had cancer and suggested they visitACH for tests.The trip to Little Rock was filled with worry, anxietyand urgency, but it ended well. All of Ryan’s tests cameout negative – he did not have cancer. The family wasoverjoyed.“Once Ryan started visiting Children’s, we realizedhow invaluable the hospital is,” says Denny. “When youvisit ACH, you know your child or grandchild is in thebest place he or she could be. It’s just amazing.”After Ryan’s visit to ACH, Denny and Margaretdecided to do something more for the hospital thathelped their family.“We know how lucky we are that Ryan never experienceda life-threatening illness,” says Denny. “We knewthe hospital was great and we knew it was a fine organization, but until we experiencedit, we didn’t appreciate it.”In February 2007, Denny and Margaret decided to set up an endowed fund atArkansas Children’s Hospital. The timing of their gift was perfect. The ACHboard of directors, in an effort to grow the much-needed endowment program atthe hospital, set aside funds to equally match new endowments. Essentially, thegift the McConathys made to ACH was doubled in size.“You wouldn’t believe how incredible it makes you feel to give to a place likeArkansas Children’s Hospital,” Margaret says. “It’s such an amazing feeling tohelp a sick child and their parents.”Denny and Margaret’s gift to the hospital made them eligible for membershipin Children’s Circle of Care, a giving society in the United States and Canadathat honors individuals and family foundations who give $10,000 or more a yearto their local children’s hospitals. Members of Children’s Circle of Care are invitedto attend an international Leadership Conference and Gala, hosted annuallyin a different city across North America. A local Children’s Circle of Care eventis also held in central Arkansas each year.“It gives me a lot of comfort and joy to give to Arkansas Children’s Hospital,”says Margaret. “The benefits our family has seen from the hospital are immeasurable,and I am proud to help such a fine institution.”Last year, Children’s Circle of Care members gave almost $4 million to benefitthe hospital and the ACH Research Institute. For more information aboutChildren’s Circle of Care, please contact Leah Greenfield at 501-364-1807 orgreenfieldlw@archildrens.org.ACH Celebrates Record Number ofChildren’s Circle of Care MembersIn these turbulent economic times, people carefully choose where to spendtheir philanthropic dollars. In 2008 ACH had a record setting membershipof 149 people, including families and foundations, supporting ACH andACHRI at the Children’s Circle of Care level. This marks a 12 percentincrease over the previous year.11