CARTI Foundation Launches $10 million Capital Campaign
‘Building Hope, Fighting Cancer’ Multi-Million Capital Campaign
Laying Foundation for Proposed World-Class CARTI Cancer Center
An on-going capital campaign launched last year in support of establishing a proposed world class cancer center in Little Rock has already raised more than three-quarters of its multi-million dollar goal, according to officials with the CARTI Foundation.
“To date, we have raised more than $7.9 million – or about 79 percent – of our $10 million goal,” says Sharon Heflin, capital campaign co-chair and CARTI Foundation board member.
Targeted to open in Fall 2015, the CARTI Cancer Center will be a multi-specialty, patient-focused cancer treatment center offering medical, surgical and radiation oncology and diagnostic radiology with clinics dedicated to imaging, infusion, research, pharmacy and support programs.
Projected cost of the 170,000 square foot building, including furnishing and medical equipment, is $90 million. Launched in January 2013, funds from the CARTI Foundation “Building Hope, Fighting Cancer” capital campaign will be used to enhance the center, provide medical equipment and program support.
“The success of this campaign will enable CARTI to open the doors of the new facility with the best of everything for the patient including surroundings and equipment,” says Heflin. “This will allow patients to focus on the things which really matter.”
Joining Heflin as campaign co-chair is fellow CARTI Foundation board member Traci Braunfisch.
“One of the first rules of construction is to lay a solid foundation to help anchor and stabilize the structure being built,” says Braunfisch. “The CARTI Cancer Center will be a place where brilliant physicians can collaborate on a patient’s care and where the family will feel as well taken care of as the patient.”
Both Heflin and Braunfisch attribute major gifts from a number of early lead donors for the successful momentum of the capital campaign, including a generous gift from Janet and Sam Alley who donated a significant portion of the 37 acre site on Riley Drive just south of Interstate 630 where the CARTI Cancer Center is being erected.
Lead donors for the capital campaign currently include: Bruce Oakley, Inc.; Amy and Brad Baltz; Karen and John Flake; Ashley and Thomas Koonce; ROAPA Physicians; Kathy and Mark V. Williamson; and a donor who chooses to remain anonymous.
Serving with Heflin and Braunfisch as capital campaign cabinet members are: Scott Stern, M.D., physician chair; Paul Benham, board liaison; Mark A. Bentley; Rick Fleetwood; David Holsted; Dennis E. Jungmeyer; Phyllis Rogers; Barry Simon; Cindy VanVeckhoven; Mark V. Williamson; and Olivia Wyatt.
Upon opening, the new CARTI Cancer Center will serve as the hub of a statewide network of satellite clinics that sees an estimated 20,000 cancer patients per year.
CARTI currently offers medical oncology in Little Rock, North Little Rock, Benton, Clinton, Conway, El Dorado, Heber Springs, Monticello, Russellville and Stuttgart. Radiation oncology is offered at CARTI facilities in Little Rock, North Little Rock, Conway, Mountain Home and Searcy.
CARTI is a nonprofit, multi-disciplinary cancer center with facilities located throughout Arkansas. The CARTI Foundation was incorporated in 1983 as a non-profit organization to assist CARTI in meeting the current and future needs of Arkansas cancer patients and their families.
