171 Ashley Ave.
Charleston, SC 29425
843-792-1414
800-424-MUSC
|
 |
May 2006
Children's Research Institute News Brief
 |
Bernard L. Maria, MD, MBA
Executive Director
Darby Children's
Research Inst. |
|
 |
Inderjit Singh, PhD
Scientific Director
Darby Children's
Research Inst. |
|
A Success Year for Pediatric Research
When the MUSC Children's Hospital Fund, which supports the Children's Hospital and the Darby Children's Research Institute, aimed to
raise $16 million, fund advisory board chairman Tom McNally knew the amount was a significant goal.
"We were dependent on people making large donations to help us achieve that grand goal," says McNally of the organization, which
provides grants and other support to the hospital and the Children's Research Institute. "We contacted lots of people and gave them
as much insight into and understanding about what's going on with the hospital and research here in Charleston."
It worked. Benefactors generously contributed, and the fund exceeded its lofty goal.
"We then talked about how, if we were a company with shareholders, we'd hold a meeting to let folks know what's going on," says McNally.
"Of course, we're not a company, but we liked the idea of informing and advising our 'shareholders," of updating our contributors on the
money donated, what impact it's had, and what remains to be done."
This thought resulted in the Darby Children's Research Institute Benefactors Forum on April 18.
"It was a well-received event that included those who've been supporting us over the last five years," says McNally. Forum attendees learned
about research programs and successes. "We updated our benefactors about what's been going on in the hospital and the Research Institute over
the last 14 months, from a research, clinical, and parent/patient perspective."
McNally says fund organizers hope to make the forum an annual event.
"We want to make it a yearly opportunity to update our benefactors on the successful use of their donations," says McNally. "We're trying to
keep the interest level high, to encourage people to continue to donate. We believe that if we keep our supporters informed, if we show them
we're doing the things we said we were going to do, then they will want to continue supporting us."
"Without these donations from generous folks, we wouldn't have the Children's Research Institute as we know it, nor would we have the great
things that come out of the Children's Hospital," explains McNally. "Benefactors make it work and for that we're all extremely grateful."
A Year in Review - Annual Report for Our Benefactors
On April 18, approximately two months after celebrating the anniversary of the Darby Children's Research Institute and our inaugural
Children's Research Day, we had the privilege and opportunity to meet with many of the benefactors who have made the Institute possible.
The session was opened by Mr. Tom McNally, who serves as chairman of the board of directors of the Children's Hospital Fund. McNally
expressed his gratitude to all those who contributed to the Institute and introduced Dr. C. Michael Bowman who recited the following:
PRAYER FOR THOSE WHO CARE FOR SICK CHILDREN1
Lord, You called me to care for Your children when they are sick. Help me to do so gladly and joyfully. When I get discouraged,
remind me of the value of what I do, and help me to do it to the very best of my abilities. Help me to see You in each of my patients,
their families and my co-workers. Help me to understand that I serve as the instrument by which You heal and bring comfort to Your children.
Give me a smile and a gentle sense of humor and help me to use them to lighten the trying times.
I thank You for the many blessings You have given me, not only my medical understanding and skills, but also the opportunity to help others, as
You taught us to do. May I always remember that giving of myself to others does not require that I totally deny my own needs or those of my family.
Help me to continually strive for an appropriate balance between my vocation and my family. Help me to make my time with my family the highest in
quality, especially when it is limited in quantity.
Lord, please give me a heart that listens carefully and patiently to others, particularly my patients, their families, my own family, my co-workers,
and to myself. Help me to recognize the needs of each and give me the willingness, the strength, the courage and the resources to meet these needs,
according to Your will. May I learn something new each day, not getting lost in my daily routine, and help me to persist in my commitment to help others.
Amen.
1Bowman CM, R Diaz: Prayer For Those Who Care For Sick Children. Copyright, 1988; Pediatrics 1989; 84:A29.
Dr. Lyndon Key, chairman of the department of pediatrics, discussed the overall mission of the Institute. He provided examples of interactions between
scientists and discoveries over the last year that would not have been possible without housing investigators in close proximity in the DCRI. Dr. Key
then asked attendees to continue their generous support for the Institute so we can continue to accelerate discoveries that make a difference in the
lives of children.
Dr. Bernie Maria, executive director of the DCRI, then addressed the impact of the Institute by discussing the teamwork between individual and groups
of scientists and clinicians, the 81 discoveries from the 11 research programs over the last year, and the value they have created for children and their
families by being translated into clinical studies and applications in the Children's Hospital.
Referring to the DCRI's first birthday celebration, Dr. Maria said, "The baby is walking and talking, and investigators have attracted more than $23 million
in research funding for children's research, more than double the previous record."
Medical director of the Children's Hospital, Dr. Phil Saul discussed advances in pediatric care by reviewing major milestones in heart research over the
last century that have brought 'benchtop' discoveries to the 'bedside' of children with congenital heart disease. "The translation of research findings
into new medical practices for children is a time-honored mechanism that now has full momentum in the DCRI and Children's Hospital," said Dr. Saul.
The audience then heard from parent Dave Kreber, and the impact of the Children's Hospital and modern discoveries on the quality of life of his daughter, a
long-term survivor of leukemia, and his two sons, who have insulin-dependent diabetes.
Kreber replayed a poignant video clip of his son addressing the audience at the opening and dedication ceremony last year. In the video, the teen states that,
given that his two siblings have experienced a disease, he could be next. Some months later, he was diagnosed with diabetes.
Kreber then changed the mood, causing much audience laughter by saying he appreciated being referred to as a "benefactor," rather than a "donor," because he
had every intention of keeping his kidneys, liver and other vital organs.
The short review of accomplishments by the DCRI over the last year was followed by a wonderful reception. Photos of the event are below; we look forward to
seeing everyone at next year's event.
Special thanks to Barbara E. Maria for photographs.
|
|
Print Version
