ACH Ambassadors are a group of current and former Arkansas Children's Hospital
patients who are giving hope and inspiration to other patient families, donors
and volunteers by sharing their stories. The Ambassadors are true examples
of the care, love and hope that ACH provides.
ACH Ambassadors were nominated and chosen by hospital staff members to serve
as advocates for the hospital. For one year, Ambassadors and their families
will share their stories about their ACH experiences at select special events
and through printed materials.
“Those of us who work at ACH can share many wonderful things about the
hospital,” says John Bel, president of the ACH Foundation. “We
know the statistics and facts that demonstrate what a great place ACH is and
how important our work is, but personal stories truly connect others to us,
and that is what the Ambassadors provide – a very authentic, personal
connection.”
This year’s Ambassadors are from all over Arkansas. They represent the
thousands of children treated annually at Arkansas Children's Hospital and
its clinics. Click on the links below to view Ambassador stories and photos.
Carson Bayird
Paragould, Arkansas
Carson, 8, was born with a cleft lip and palate. His parents, Amy and Keith,
were
devastated about his physical imperfection but had no idea what was coming
next.
Alexis Casey
Hardy, Arkansas
In 2000, Alexis was born six weeks premature. According to Misty, her mother,
she was
a beautiful baby with a flawless complexion.
Shelby Clinton
Sherwood, Arkansas
In December 2003, 7-year-old Shelby was sent to Arkansas Children’s Hospital
after a
CT scan showed a brain tumor. Shelby, who was diagnosed with medulloblastoma,
immediately had surgery to remove the tumor.
Ryan Garrett
El Dorado, Arkansas
Ryan was diagnosed with an inguinal hernia shortly after birth. Though undiagnosed,
he
also suffered from intussusception, a condition in which part of his intestine
folded
inward and into itself. The intussusception symptoms began at 5 days old.
Anna Katherine Green
Little Rock, Arkansas
Five-year-old Anna Katherine has endured more in her young life than a lot
of adults.
Anna Katherine’s mother, Ashley, received some startling news from her
obstetrician
while Anna Katherine was still in the womb. She was told that Anna Katherine
had heart
defects and would need treatment at ACH immediately after birth.
Keely Keenom
Vilonia, Arkansas
Keely, 8, was born with a rare birth defect that required surgery at Arkansas
Children’s
Hospital when she was only 1 day old.
Cade McCredy
Fayetteville, Arkansas
Two-year-old Cade’s health problems began when he was born 10 weeks early.
Soon
after birth he was diagnosed with bronchopulmonary dysplasia, an abnormal development
of lung tissue common in premature babies.
Cole Nash
Monticello, Arkansas
Cole was 2 ½ years old when his, and his family’s, life was changed
forever.
Lindsey Taylor
Little Rock, Arkansas
Lindsey began her life with serious heart problems, but thanks to the care
she received at
Arkansas Children’s Hospital, she is now a healthy, average child.
Jacob Wells
Searcy, Arkansas
Jacob, 6, was flown to ACH immediately after birth when doctors detected a
congenital
heart defect.
Sadie Wood
Fayetteville, Arkansas
Fourteen-year-old Sadie is an accomplished athlete. One wouldn’t know
that just a few
years ago, she was diagnosed with a disease that could have ended her competitive
swimming career.
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