A Better Future in Sight for Kids
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View metadata, citation and similar papers at core.ac.uk brought to you by CORE The worthiest of causes Finding hope Narrowing of the hourglassprovided by University of Minnesota Digital Conservancy U, Fairview kick off Stem cell therapy curbs Journey strengthens cancer children’s health campaign fatal skin disease survivor’s resolve PAGE 3 PAGE 5 PAGE 6 GIFT PLANNING NEWS AND TIPS, PAGE 7 A publication for supporters of health-related research and education at the University of Minnesota FALL 2010 A better future in sight for kids Minnesota Lions make a $3 million pledge to help prevent blindness in infants and children Six-year-old Kira Rogers doesn’t know much about the Minnesota Lions, but the Lions’ 50-year partnership with the University was intended to help children R TE CH A W just like her. A month after Kira was born, her mother, Michele, noticed N O : JAS O T something wrong with Kira’s right eye. “Her of treatment and surgeries to remove the PHO eyelid looked red. The next day it looked tumor, improve the appearance of her eyelid, Six-year-old Kira Rogers, with her parents, Michele and puffier.E ach day it looked a little puffier,” and preserve her sight. Mike, received sight-preserving medical treatment at she says. Fortunately, the surgeries were successful. the University of Minnesota. Kira’s doctor soon referred the family Now the spunky 6-year-old loves going to to the University of Minnesota. Michele and kindergarten — and giving hugs. Her eye is her husband, Mike, took Kira from their home vastly improved, and her prognosis is excellent. in Sauk Rapids, Minnesota, to meet with “I didn’t think it would end like this,” University ophthalmologist Gail Summers, says Mike Rogers, happily. “I felt like these “When Lions see that M.D., and later to see pediatric oncologist doctors could move mountains for us.” something needs to get Marie Steiner, M.D. An MRI confirmed that Kira had a hemangioma — a fast-growing The Lions’ legacy done, they are right up noncancerous tumor. Success stories like Kira’s have been the there volunteering and The tumor’s location in Kira’s eye had impetus behind the Minnesota Lions’ longtime support of the Medical School’s doing it before others serious medical implications. Michele and Mike Rogers learned that as Kira grew older, Department of Ophthalmology. even know about it.” the tumor would affect her sight, put pressure In July the Minnesota Lions donated $1 million toward a new $3 million pledge – JAY KRACHMER, M.D. on her eye, and affect her visual development in that eye. With the help of University doc- to establish the Minnesota Lions Fund to tors, they held Kira’s hand through six years continued on back page Nonprofit Org. U.S. Postage McNamara Alumni Center PAID University of Minnesota Minneapolis, MN 200 Oak Street SE, Suite 300 Permit No. 155 Minneapolis, MN 55455-2030 Building medical student success Boulger spirit inspires Duluth scholarships James Boulger, Ph.D., professor of behavioral sciences and director of alumni Have you noticed that relations at the University of Minnesota Medical School, Duluth Campus, is thoughtfully engaged, curi- ous people tend to ask why? widely known for his commitment to medical students. But this year, the At the Minnesota Medical Foundation, we think that’s a great question — one that offers Boulger name became truly synonymous with boosting student success. us tremendous opportunities to showcase the Last November, Medical School, Duluth LEIS breadth of groundbreaking research, innova- Campus alumni Randall Card, M.D., Kristi SCH AN tion, and exploration under way across the D : Elliott, M.D., and Michael Heck, M.D., O T University of Minnesota. HO decided to honor the longtime professor, P In fact, we quickly adopted the University’s adviser, and advocate. With help from the new “Because” initiative designed to answer Minnesota Medical Foundation (MMF), they the question, “Why is the University of asked their Duluth classmates to help build Minnesota driven to discover?” a major scholarship in Boulger’s honor. As you’ll find in this issue of Giving In his letter to classmates, Card wrote: Matters, the answers help us tell hopeful, “If your experience was like mine, you’ll inspiring stories. Why is our faculty driven agree that Jim believed that everyone attend- to discover? ing the UMD School of Medicine was special. Because 6-year-old Kira Rogers could In that spirit, I am encouraging everyone who start kindergarten with her vision intact, attended the Duluth school to contribute to this scholarship.” thanks to world-class medical treatment at The Boulger family: Jim Jr., seated, with his brother, Peter, By December, a committed group of the University of Minnesota. and parents, Dee and Jim Sr. alumni, community leaders, and faculty Because, following a successful pancreas had contributed more than $28,000 to help transplant, Joanie Videen is able to sleep establish the James Boulger Endowed Schol- soundly for the first time in years, no longer arship. Pledges and gifts to the fund are now Boulger Junior and Stephanie K. Carlson worried about the potentially fatal complica- up to $160,000 and growing. Scholarship, she says, is a way to help tions of diabetes. “I am honored to be remembered in this students and thank those, like Jim Jr., who Because the University’s pioneering stem way by former students who are now friends have inspired her. cell research offers children with a lethal skin and colleagues,” says Boulger. “Scholarships A nother good turn disease known as EB their only chance to lead are so critical if we are to continue to accept But there’s more to the story. Last February, normal, healthy lives. those students most likely to fulfill the school’s at an MMF event in Rochester, Carlson was Of course, the stories on these pages mission to the citizens of Minnesota — and invited to speak about her motivation for particularly those who are underserved in rural answer another important question, too: creating the scholarship. James Sr., his areas and in Native American communities.” “Why does giving matter?” That’s easy: wife, Dee, and James Jr. also attended and Because the Minnesota Lions have sup- A family affair made a surprise announcement: They were ported the Department of Ophthalmology for Meanwhile, Medical School, Duluth alumna pledging $25,000 to begin the scholarship 50 years to help children just like Kira Rogers. Stephanie K. Carlson, M.D., Class of ’94, immediately. Because philanthropy has allowed was devising her own plan to honor the Carlson was thrilled. Just one month later, our diabetes researchers to close in on a Boulger name. In September 2009 the she matched the family’s pledge, adding widely available cure for type 1 diabetes. Mayo Clinic diagnostic and interventional another $25,000 to the current scholarship — Because private gifts launched the novel radiologist pledged $50,000 in her estate for a total of $50,000 in active pledges and stem cell research that offers hope to kids plan to establish a scholarship recognizing another $50,000 in the estate gift. “Support from generous folks like with EB. Boulger’s son, James Jr. Stephanie Carlson makes it possible for our I hope you are inspired by the questions A self-described sports enthusiast, students to attain their dreams of helping the and answers found at the intersection of phi- Carlson met Jim Jr. when they both worked underserved,” says James Boulger Sr. “None lanthropy and medicine — because with your in UMD’s sports information office. Jim Jr. of us succeeds on our own.” support, discoveries unfold, breakthroughs shares her enthusiasm for sports even though a form of Duchenne muscular dystrophy (MD) –MI chELLE JUNTUNEN happen, and lives are forever changed. prevents him from participating himself. To learn more or to support Medical School, Duluth Campus Becky Malkerson Nonetheless, Jim Jr., now 43, has never scholarships, please contact Michelle Juntunen at 218-726- P resident and CEO let MD get in his way, says Carlson. “He was 6876 or [email protected]. Minnesota Medical Foundation always positive and courageous.” The James 2 givingmatters FALL 2010 ILLETTE W ADY ADY R S: O T HO A reason to celebrate P B University, Fairview embark on $175 million campaign for children’s health The University of Minnesota and Fairview Health Services have launched a $175 million campaign to support pediatric research, education, and care at the new home for University of Minnesota Amplatz Children’s Hospital. The campaign, led by the Minnesota efficiency of pediatric care while capitalizing Medical Foundation, already has raised on the cross-specialty, multidisciplinary $84 million — nearly half of its goal. relationships for which the University has More than 400 people — including kids, become known. Campaign kickoff participants folded paper cranes and parents, hospital staff, and community The 227,000-square-foot facility will decorated greeting cards to give to patients at University of volunteers — celebrated the public launch feature 96 acute-care hospital beds, state- Minnesota Amplatz Children’s Hospital. of the children’s health campaign on of-the-art medical/surgical units, a pediatric September 25 with a family-friendly event. intensive care unit, and a dedicated pediatric Children and adults alike decorated their emergency room, in addition to transplant own versions of the new hospital’s colorful services units and Minnesota’s only pediatric exterior and made special cards and origami dialysis unit. Construction, which began in paper cranes for ill children in the hospital. 2008, will be completed by March. Event attendees also had a chance to conduct Leaders plan to celebrate the culmination their own science experiments, learn about of the children’s health campaign by 2015.