www.childrensauxiliary.org
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2018 Family Night at Six Flags Over Texas | 50th Anniversary
Honorary Family
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ichelle Fraser has long believed in the mission of Children’s Health; she and her friends have raised more than half a million dollars over the years for the hospital. But little did she know how much those funds mean to families, until her own child was rushed to the Emergency Department after a devastating car accident. Mrs. Fraser, husband Jason Fraser and their family were stopped in highway traffic after feeding the homeless on Thanksgiving Day 2016 when a van crashed into them at about 70 miles per hour. Mr. Fraser suffered a severe concussion. Everyone else in the car miraculously escaped serious injury, except for Jayden-Faith. The 12-year-old known as “JayFay” smashed into the seat in front of her so hard that it popped off the top of her skull. The seventh grader went into severe shock and struggled to breathe. The nightmarish scene for the family quickly turned into an ambulance race to the Children’s Health Emergency Department, where Dr. Susan Scott, who is also an associate professor of pediatrics at UT Southwestern Medical Center, led the efforts to save Jay-Fay’s life.
The Fraser Family
“Jay-Fay” Fraser
“Dr. Scott was so commanding, so in control of that whole situation,” Mrs. Fraser said. “But she also was so nurturing to me. She came to me and held my hands and said, ‘This is very grave, and you need to have somebody here with you right now. Who can we call?’ ” Jay-Fay’s two hours in the Emergency Department were followed by five weeks in the intensive care unit, a month on the neurology floor and then three months at Our Children’s House, Children’s Health’s inpatient rehabilitative facility. “It was very evident that everybody cared about us,” Mr. Fraser said. “They counseled our son. They just took care of the whole family.” He noted the poignant irony of receiving such great care from a hospital that his wife had worked so hard to support. For several years, Mrs. Fraser and three close friends hosted an annual fundraising dinner that supported the hospital. “We never dreamed in a million years that we would be on the receiving end.” he said. Jay-Fay returned to her Plano home in a wheel chair, unable to speak, but surrounded by a family dedicated to helping her progress
through rehabilitation. “We know our life is not going to look the same as it did Nov. 23, 2016, but we just want to give her every shot to recover as much as she can,” Mrs. Fraser said. She described her daughter’s rehabilitation, not as a tragedy, but as a “rebirth,” in which she has made tremendous progress and inspired others. Jay-Fay is improving. At first, she communicated with blinks, then worked her way up to nods and now is able to say “yes” and “no.” She also is reading at a sixth-grade level. The family has shared her progress on social media as an inspiration to others. They returned to feed the homeless on Thanksgiving, and they continue to support Children’s Health. Mrs. Fraser said it is an honor to be named this year’s Honorary Patient Family for the Women’s Auxiliary’s 50th anniversary of Family Night at Six Flags benefiting Children’s Health. “What they have done for Children’s over the years is unbelievable,” Mrs. Fraser said of the Women’s Auxiliary. “They’re just really good-hearted people. We are really happy to be a part of that.”
Honorary Chairs
Ruth Altshuler
Christina & Chris Durovich
Wanda & George Farr
Debbie & Ric Scripps
Susan & Joel Williams
This year’s Honorary Chairs for the 50th Anniversary of Family Night at Six Flags reflect the rich history of our community’s dedication to Children’s Health and the Women’s Auxiliary.
50th Anniversary | 2018 Family Night at Six Flags Over Texas
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Honorary Physicians
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hen considering who could fill the Honorary Physician role to represent this year’s 50th anniversary of Family Night at Six Flags, the choice was clear. In the history of the event there have only been two physicians to serve more than once in this important role because of their significant impact on countless children in the community, Dr. Karen Halsell and Dr. Claude B. Prestidge. This year they will take on the role as a team. As a beloved pediatrician in the Dallas community, Dr. Karen Halsell has referred hundreds of patients to Children’s Health over the past 22 years. She is a Dallas native who graduated from Highland Park High School, Washington and Lee University, and the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston. Dr. Halsell completed her pediatric residency at Children’s Medical Center Dallas and UT Southwestern Medical Center. She has been in private practice since 1999 and has been with Pediatricians of Dallas for the last 14 years.
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John Ashton, Karen Halsell & Sarah Kate
Pat & Claude Prestidge
Dr. Claude B. Prestidge is a pillar in the field of pediatrics, and it is well-known that he has a huge fan base of patients and families who adore him. He received his medical degree from UT Southwestern and before retiring practiced at Pediatric Associates of Dallas for more than 40 years. Dr. Prestidge
served as the director of the cystic fibrosis center at Children’s Health for four decades, and the unit was named in his honor in 2011. Dr. Halsell and Dr. Prestidge have known each other for years. “We both trained at Children’s Medical Center,” Dr. Prestidge said, “and one of us attended the very first
Family Night in 1969 as a house officer. Guess which one?” Dr. Prestidge has been a mentor for Dr. Halsell since her high school days, when she first told her parents of her interest in medicine. She trained under Dr. Prestidge in the cystic fibrosis clinic at Children’s Health, and they subsequently worked together in private practice for several years. “He is kind, generous, but exacting. He taught me that in patient care, the bottom line stops with you, the physician. He is the best mentor there ever was.” Dr. Halsell said. For Dr. Halsell, attending Family Night at Six Flags is a family tradition, too. She has dear memories of the event from her earliest days in elementary school to dancing as a Highland Park High School Belle at the ribbon-cutting ceremony. She even went to Family Night at Six Flags on one of her earliest dates with her husband, John Ashton, and they now carry on this tradition with their daughter, Sarah Kate.
Thank You From the 2018 Family Night Co-Chairs!
t has been our honor to serve as the co-chairs for Family Night at Six Flags Over Texas as we celebrate the 50th year of this special event! We are truly excited for this night of family fun that benefits Children’s Health. Since its inception, the Women’s Auxiliary to Children’s Medical Center has given more than $20 million to Children’s Health through Family Night at Six Flags and other fundraising events and programs. Generous community support has brought help and hope to patients and families served by Children’s over the years.
And, we would like to extend a very special thank you to our committee, Six Flags Over Texas, Tom Thumb, WFAA, DPR Construction and the many other supporters of the 50th anniversary of Family Night at Six Flags. Your continued support has truly changed the lives of thousands of children and their families who have been helped by the incredible services and wonderful staff at Children’s Health. Please join us on April 6 as we continue a tradition of serving the children of this community!
2018 Family Night at Six Flags Co-Chairs: Christine Danuser, Stacey Stoller & Katie Walters
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2018 Family Night at Six Flags Over Texas | 50th Anniversary
Family Night Retrospective
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he Women’s Auxiliary to Children’s Medical Center has a rich history of service and tradition that began in 1962. In the very early days, Auxiliary volunteers assisted hospital staff in all aspects of running the hospital, from helping with admitting patients and running samples to the lab to assisting physicians. Today, the
more than 850 dedicated and committed members of the Auxiliary serve as advocates in the community, volunteers in the hospital and raise funds through annual events and programs. During its 56 years of service, the Auxiliary has supported crucial programs at Children’s Health including patient and family sup-
port services, research, intensive care, critical training programs and lifesaving equipment, as well as establishing endowments to sustain and enhance essential programs and services for patients and families for years to come. Since its inception, the Auxiliary has contributed more than $20 million to Children’s Health.
Auxiliary Presidents Sally Dutter (2017) & Monica Egert Smith (2018)
Children’s Health President & CEO Chris Durovich at 2008 Ribbon Cutting
Enjoying the 2014 Family Night
Mrs. Field Scovell prepares tickets for the 1972 Family Night
Celebrating the 20th Anniversary of Family Night
Mrs. Ted Votteler presents check to Board Chair Mr. George Linskie from the 1972 Family Night
Women’s Auxiliary members at 1975 Family Night
50th Anniversary | 2018 Family Night at Six Flags Over Texas
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2012 Family Night Co-Chairs with Auxiliary President Polly McKeithen
2006 Auxiliary President Jill Bee with Family Night Co-Chairs
Dr. Karen Halsell & family at the 40th Anniversary of Family Night
In 1994, Children’s President & CEO George Farr with Family Night Chairs Pam Busbee & Michal Powell
Debbie Raynor, Dian Moore & Janet Evans at the 2017 Ribbon Cutting Ceremony
First Women’s Auxiliary Family Night Fundraiser in 1969
2015 Auxiliary President Joanna Clarke
Tom Thumb’s Connie Yates & Tom at 2011 Family Night
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2018 Family Night at Six Flags Over Texas | 50th Anniversary
About Children’s Health
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hildren’s Health is the eighth-largest pediatric health care provider in the nation and the leading pediatric health care system in North Texas, providing a full spectrum of health care services — from daily wellness and primary care to specialty visits and critical care. Holding eight disease-specific care certifications
from The Joint Commission, Children’s Health has been consistently named one of the nation’s top pediatric providers by U.S. News & World Report. The Children’s Health system includes Children’s Medical Center Dallas, as well as Children’s Medical Center Plano, Our Children’s House inpatient rehabilitation hospital, multiple spe-
cialty centers, Children’s Health Pediatric Group primary care practices, rehabilitation facilities, home health, physician services, the Children’s Medical Center Research Institute at UT Southwestern and Children’s Medical Center Foundation. For more information about Children’s Health, visit www.childrens.com.
The Farnsworths at 2005 Ribbon Cutting Ceremony
2009 Children’s Health President & CEO Chris Durovich & Honorary Chair Daryl Johnston
1990 Family Night, George W. & Laura Bush, Donna Vanderwoude & Jill Rowlett
2017 Honorary Family, the Florers: John, Gini, Sutton, John Lawson & Will
2017 Family Night Co-Chairs with Porky Pig
2009 Family Night Co-Chairs with Auxiliary President Nancy Monning
Past Presidents celebrating the 50th birthday of the Women’s Auxiliary to Children’s
50th Anniversary | 2018 Family Night at Six Flags Over Texas
2018 Family Night at Six Flags Sponsers
The Women’s Auxiliary to Children’s Medical Center extends its heartfelt appreciation to the generous sponsors who are making the 50 th anniversary Family Night at Six Flags Over Texas a success. We would also like to thank the many other sponsors and friends of Family Night at Six Flags Over Texas whose contributions were received after this printing. PROMOTIONAL SPONSORS Tom Thumb WFAA EXECUTIVE PLATINUM SPONSOR DPR Construction GOLD SPONSORS AmazingGrace.Life Philip T. Bee Charitable Trust Billingsley Company Grand Homes Highland Capital Management Gene and Jerry Jones Family Foundation PEARL SPONSORS Angiel Electrical Balfour Beatty Randy and Carolyn Garrett The Klesse Foundation Dian Moore – Pete and Shelley Moore Pediatric Home Healthcare, LLC PlainsCapital Bank SILVER SPONSORS Cinemark Theatres Costello Family Foundation Prairie Creek Partners
BRONZE SPONSORS Frontier Investment Management Co. Randi and Edward Halsell, in honor of Dr. Karen Halsell Dr. and Mrs. Hisashi Nikaidoh Jenny and Adam Saphier Debbie and Ric Scripps PATRON SPONSORS ABCD Juracek Avrea Wagner Interiors B.C. Williams Bakery Service and BCW Food Ben E. Keith Company Cordelia and Tom Boone/ The Boone Foundation Brent Christopher Kathryn and Hal Cook Christine and Mark Danuser — Tatum Brown Custom Homes Averille and Stewart Dawson Christina and Chris Durovich Knoxie Edmonson Eiseman Jewels Northpark Dallas, in honor of Christina and Chris Durovich Sharon and Steve Folsom Holly Hassmann Lauren and Alex Inman Tom and Beth Montgomery JoAnne and Eddy Moore Nancy M. O’Neil
2017 Hoot & Holler check presentation with DPR Construction and Auxiliary Presidents Monica Egert Smith (2018) and Sally Dutter (2017)
Layne Pitzer and Joan Eleazer/Briggs Freeman Sothebys International Realty Michal and Loyd Powell Suzy and Tom Rhodes/The Rhodes Group The Rosewood Corporation Monica Egert Smith Smocked Auctions Nancy and Ryan Scripps Daryl and Dallas Snadon Mrs. Ben Sparkman Stacey and Todd Stoller Utility Trailer of Dallas Katie and Nathan Walters Wisteria SPECIAL FRIENDS Anonymous (5) Rob and Kim Bennett Laura and Brandon Chavoya Gerry and Lamar Chicoine Joanna Clarke The Chris Cook Family Aimee and Jason Cook Ann and Hugh Corrigan Jessica and Dewey Dalton Anne and Jarrett Davies Courtney and Adam Dios Janet and Craig Evans Ewing Automotive Group Betty Farnsworth Linda and Randy Golden
Amy and Justin Grissen Sally and Steve Hanna Eliane M. Harman Caroline L. Hunt Ruthie and Walt Lightbourn The Maher Family Mr. and Mrs. Tom F. Marsh Betty and John H. Martin Leslie and Nick Merrick Mr. and Mrs. Scott Morris Lisa and Randy Muck Jan Myers Heidi and Mike Pickens Amy and Corey Prestidge Diane B. Purnell Dr. Lee and Mrs. Angelique Reagor Dr. and Mrs. James Kyle Richards Lee and Lon Schaufele Molly and Michael Sealy The Sloan Family Debbie and Don Snell The Starr Family Lauren and Cullen Thomason Bill and Katie Weaver Charitable Trust SPECIAL THANKS Bank of America Past Family Night Chairs and Past Presidents of the Women’s Auxiliary People Newspapers
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2018 Family Night at Six Flags Over Texas | 50th Anniversary
2018 Family Night Committee
HONORARY FAMILY The Fraser Family Michelle, Jason, Jace and Jayden-Faith Fraser HONORARY PHYSICIAN CHAIRS Karen Halsell, M.D. Claude B. Prestidge, M.D. HONORARY CHAIRS Christina and Chris Durovich Wanda and George Farr Debbie and Ric Scripps Susan and Joel Williams IN MEMORIAM HONORARY CHAIR Ruth Altshuler 1970 Family Night at Six Flags Chair FAMILY NIGHT CO-CHAIRS Christine Danuser Stacey Stoller Katie Walters UNDERWRITING CHAIR Nancy Scripps COMMITTEE Paige Andrews Stacey Beck Laura Chavoya Dana Donahoe Lauren Dunwoody Dansby Erwin Jennifer Ferguson Cate Ford Sara Fredericks Michelle Grizzle Alicia Hall Emily Keith Karri Kirkham Michele Klein Becky Lacour Natalie Lesikar
Amy Lobner Meredith McBee Cherry Morris Becky Odlozil Nancy Owen Hattie Peterson Layne Pitzer Kendall Ramirez Audra Richardson Elise Riter Kate Ross Victoria Leigh Steindorf Kacy Tolleson Karla Trusler Lindsay Wheeler Brooke Zasa HOST COMMITTEE Amy Altizer Cynthia Beaird Jill C. Bee Cordelia Boone Wynne Brown Michele Cassidy Jennifer Chreitzberg Joanna Clarke Barbie Cobb Shirley Cohn Maura Costello Jennifer Craft Sandra Cude Ann Delatour Caonha Dillon Christina Durovich Sally Dutter Chelsea Duvall Michaela Dyer Knoxie Edmonson Janet Evans Becky Everett Susan Farris Natalie Fielder Gini Florer Nancy Gottsacker Ann Henson Gretchen Hirschey Rita Langley Johnston Maggie Kipp Carolyn Lane
Katherine Lewis Ruthie Lightbourn Cynthia Looney Cari Marchetto Judy Marlow Ali Martineau Whitney Mathes Cindy McGeoch Polly McKeithen Lindsey Miller Nancy Monning Dian Moore JoAnne Moore Jan Myers Nancy O’Neil Connie O’Neill Kittye Peeler Jennifer Potter Michal Powell Amy Prestidge Pat Prestidge Diane Purnell Devin Rambie Debbie Raynor Lisa Rocchio Bryanna Roop Margot Ruebel Debbie Scripps Shay Sides Debbie Snell Rachel Stienke Kiersten Stockham Melissa Utley Tish Visinsky Jean White Susan Wolcott Cayla Woodruff AUXILIARY LEADERSHIP PRESIDENT Monica Egert Smith PRESIDENT-ELECT Lauren Swann TREASURER-ELECT Jenny Garberding