Southern Arkansas University student Eli Lindsey, of Casscoe, is among 16 pediatric cancer survivors selected this year to receive Dennis Jungmeyer Scholarships valued at $2,500 each and awarded by the CARTI Foundation in Little Rock.
Presented annually to current or former CARTI pediatric cancer patients, the scholarships are named in honor of cancer survivor and CARTI Foundation Board director-emeritus Dennis Jungmeyer of North Little Rock. Jungmeyer is a co-founder of the CARTI Kids Golf Classic, proceeds of which benefit CARTI Kid programs and activities. Established in 1986, the tournament has since raised more than $2 million.
Lindsey, 19, was diagnosed with medulloblastoma in 2000 and received treatment at CARTI/St. Vincent. A graduate of Stuttgart High, he is currently a sophomore at Southern Arkansas University in Magnolia. He is the son of Kris & Kelly Lindsey of Casscoe.
“I was 11 when I was diagnosed,” Lindsey wrote in his scholarship essay. “The thing is, when you’re 11, you can’t even begin to imagine what life might be like afterwards. Life after cancer is hard. But I believe that God allows things to happen for a reason, and I believe that that doesn’t kill you makes you stronger. I use this strength to look forward to better tomorrows.”
In addition to Lindsey, other 2007 Jungmeyer Scholarship recipients are: Meagan Aitchison, of Greenbrier; Morgan Butler, of Hope; Zykeya Butler, of Ruston, LA; Mitchell Collins, of Murfreesboro; Nathan Dozier, of Cabot; Rolando Dupree, of Little Rock; Amelia Floriani, of Malvern; Alex Giannavola, of Little Rock; Adrian Landis, of Fouke; Archie Lester, Jr., of West Memphis; Miranda Marsh, of Springdale; Celso Medina, of Fort Smith; Clayton Mitchell, of Paragould; Patty Morris, of Berryville; and Marcus Rose, of Malvern.
Scholarship recipients were honored at a special presentation ceremony held July 31 at the Arkansas Governor’s Mansion in Little Rock. First Lady Ginger Beebe assisted Jungmeyer in presenting scholars with their awards.
“We all have different experiences with cancer which have helped to shape who we are today,” said Patricia Morris told the crowd, speaking on behalf of the Jungmeyer Scholars of 2007. Diagnosed with a Wilm’s Tumor at the age of two, Morris is currently a sophomore at Missouri State University in Springfield.
“As we learn and grow as individuals, it is important to remember who we were and what we went through, because it helps to make us who we are,” said Morris.
This year’s scholarship presentations marked the 10th anniversary of the Jungmeyer Scholarship Awards. First awarded in 1998 as the CARTI Kids Scholarships, the awards were renamed in 2000 in honor of Jungmeyer and his philanthropic efforts on behalf of CARTI pediatric cancer survivors.
“Because of my long involvement with both the CARTI Foundation and the CARTI Kids, it is a humbling thing to actually have my name represent our scholars,” Jungmeyer admitted from the podium.
“As a cancer survivor myself, it is a very emotional connection I feel with these young people,” he said. “Knowing the fears and issues I faced as an adult diagnosed with cancer, my mind reels at the idea of what it must have been like for these young people.”
“Every year, though, I have the wondrous joy of being here to look into the faces of my fellow cancer survivors,” said Jungmeyer. “When I do, instead of fear, I see defiance. Instead of despair, I see hope. Instead of looking back, I find them looking forward. That is when I could not be more proud to have my name, in some small way, affiliated with theirs.”
CARTI is a nonprofit radiation therapy center with facilities located in Little Rock on the St. Vincent, Baptist Medical Center and UAMS campuses, and in Conway, Mountain Home, North Little Rock and Searcy. 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.
For more information, visit www.carti.com.
