Southern Arkansas University student Eli Lindsey, 20, of Casscoe, is among 19 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 was diagnosed with medulloblastoma in 2000 and received treatment at CARTI/St. Vincent. A graduate of Stuttgart High, he is currently enrolled at Southern Arkansas University in Magnolia where he is majoring in history with a minor in education. He is the son of Kris and Kelly Lindsey of Casscoe.
“I guess you can’t have brain surgery and not expect a lot of changes,” wrote Lindsey in his scholarship essay. “The thing is, when you’re 11, you can’t even begin to imagine what life will be like afterwards. I guess this might be a good thing, because sometimes, if you knew, you might not fight so hard to stay alive.”
In addition to Lindsey, other 2008 Jungmeyer Scholarship recipients are: Meagan Aitchison, of Greenbrier; Miranda Baird, of Fayetteville; Morgan Butler, of Hope; Zykeya Butler, of Ruston, LA; Lauren Crook, of Benton; Ben Dalton, of Sherwood; Amelia Floriani, of Malvern; Amy Garrett, of Quitman; Alex Giannavola, of Little Rock; Ethan Helm, of Mabelvale; Ryne Johnson, of Maumelle; Adrian Landis, of Fouke; Kevin Leon, of Siloam Springs; Archie Lester, Jr., of West Memphis; Celso Medina, of Fort Smith; Clayton Mitchell, of Paragould; Patty Morris, of Berryville; and Jessica Odle, of Little Rock.
Scholarship recipients were honored at a special presentation ceremony held June 25 at the Arkansas Governor’s Mansion in Little Rock. First Lady Ginger Beebe assisted Jungmeyer in presenting scholars with their awards.
“To the Jungmeyer Scholars of 2008, we offer not only our congratulations, but also our admiration and appreciation,” said Rick Fleetwood, chairman of the CARTI Foundation Board of Directors, while addressing the audience during the presentation ceremony.
“You have already faced some of the most difficult obstacles life can present, and you have learned to use your experiences to encourage and inspire others,” said Fleetwood. “You have every right to be proud of yourselves not only as scholars, but as survivors. And we appreciate you allowing us to share in a portion of that pride.”
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.
