(Little Rock) May 15, 2019 – Arkansas Children’s Hospital (ACH) Auxiliary donated a historic $1.54 million to support ACH programs. This is the largest gift made in the 52-year history of the ACH Auxiliary.

“With more than 500 members strong, the ACH Auxiliary accepted the challenge of adding a new event to our annual calendar and reaching a historic level of philanthropy in support of Arkansas Children’s Hospital,” said Lindsey Gray, president of the Arkansas Children’s Hospital Auxiliary. “Thanks to the dedication of our Auxiliary members and their passion for advocating and advancing child health in Arkansas, I’m honored to celebrate surpassing our fundraising goal.”

The $1.54 million gift was raised through annual initiatives including the Holiday Card Project, Miracle Ball, Á la Carte, ACHievers, Playaway Gift Shop and Race for a Healthier Tomorrow. Since 2011, the ACH Auxiliary has raised $1 million or more annually.

The funds received by the ACH Auxiliary support:

  • Arkansas Children’s Research Institute
  • Comfort Foods Program
  • Palliative Care Program
  • Center for Good Mourning
  • Patient Experience

Specifically, the funds support the operations of the Arkansas Children’s Research Institute; provide a warm meal to patient families in a private dining area of the cafeteria through the Comfort Foods Program; support grieving families through the Center for Good Mourning Program; provide comfort to patients and their families through the Palliative Care program; and will support initiatives to improve the patient experience, enhancing interior and exterior spaces through discovery and delight. With nearly 550 members, the ACH Auxiliary has championed children for 52 years in the pursuit of a healthier tomorrow for children of Arkansas and beyond. If you would like more information about the ACH Auxiliary or would like to become a member, please visit archildrens.org/auxiliary.

About Arkansas Children’s

Arkansas Children's, Inc. is the only healthcare system in the state solely dedicated to caring for Arkansas' 710,000 children, giving the organization a unique ability to shape the landscape of pediatric care in Arkansas and transform the health of children throughout the region. The private, non-profit organization includes two pediatric hospitals, a pediatric research institute and USDA nutrition center, a philanthropic foundation, a nursery alliance, statewide clinics, and many education and outreach programs.

Arkansas Children’s Hospital (ACH) is a 336-bed, Magnet-recognized facility in Little Rock operating the state’s only Level I pediatric trauma center; the state's only burn center; the state's only Level IV neonatal intensive care unit; the state's only pediatric intensive care unit; the state’s only pediatric surgery program with Level 1 verification from the American College of Surgeons; and the state's only nationally recognized pediatric transport program. Additionally, ACH is nationally ranked by U.S. News & World Report in five pediatric subspecialties (2019-2020): Cardiology & Heart Surgery, Nephrology, Neurology & Neurosurgery, Orthopedics and Pulmonology. Arkansas Children’s Northwest (ACNW), the first and only pediatric hospital in the Northwest Arkansas region, opened in Springdale in early 2018. ACNW operates a 24-bed inpatient unit; a surgical unit with five operating rooms; outpatient clinics offering over 20 subspecialties; diagnostic services; imaging capabilities; occupational therapy services; and Northwest Arkansas' only pediatric emergency department, equipped with 30 exam rooms. Generous philanthropic and volunteer engagement has sustained Arkansas Children's since it began as an orphanage in 1912, and today ensures the system can fundamentally transform the health of children in Arkansas and beyond. To learn more, visit archildrens.org.

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