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Recently: Patients, pinwheels and promises

Posted on November 6, 2008November 6, 2008 by Staff

Photo by Jackie Fritsch. Phil and Dawn Zachary, co-chairs of the Pinwheels and Promises luncheon benefitting N.C. Children’s Hospital, with their daughters Blaire and Cathryn at the Pavilions at Angus Barn.Valarie Schwartz

Destinations have many paths by which people arrive.

Dawn and Phil Zachary found themselves in Chapel Hill during December 2006 via a path they would never have chosen when their then ninth-grade daughter Blaire became seriously ill. That’s when they discovered the scrupulous care at North Carolina Children’s Hospital. Healthy results for Blaire set her parents on another path.

Phil Zachary, president of Curtis Media and his wife, Dawn, co-chaired the 2008 Pinwheels and Promises fundraiser for the hospital on Oct. 28, creating a standard that future event chairs will find challenging to surpass.

The venue certainly set the tone. The invitation directed everyone to the Angus Barn in Raleigh, but once in the parking lot we were guided behind and below the venerable red farm-style buildings to the stunning Pavilions at Angus Barn, from which the smoke of a most aromatic fire drew us into the 11,000-square-foot structure with barn-shaped roofline outfitted for cool weather with canvas and clear plastic walls and windows. Inside were dozens of swan-shaped topiary-topped tables, where napkins the color of fall leaves fanned out of long-stemmed glasses against the backdrop of the massive fireplace producing the seductive scents, behind which Umstead Lake rested out the backdoors.

“The first Pinwheels and Promises luncheon was held Nov. 9, 2006 in Chapel Hill as an opportunity to raise awareness within the Chapel Hill community about North Carolina Children’s Hospital and also to raise money to support the hospital,” said Crystal Hinson Miller, director of external affairs and communications for N.C. Children’s Hospital and one of 35 table captains chosen by the Zachary’s.

“The event features a program filled with stories of hope from patients of the hospital, as well as a video, which provides an overview of hospital highlights, programs and services,” Miller continued.

A diverse group, totaling 350 men and women from all over the Triangle and many walks of life, attended last week, learning about the 136-bed hospital where parents from all over the state, country and world bring 60,000 of the sickest children every year.

As Dawn Zachary described while opening the program, entering the hospital with a sick child means relinquishment. “It’s the moment when mom and dad realize nothing is in our control,” she said.

They already knew about the hospital — Phil Zachary and Curtis Media started the annual radiothon/telethon for it in 2002 — and the outcome of their experience left them eternally grateful for the care Blaire received.

“The kids at UNC Hospitals are filled with hope and optimism,“ Phil Zachary began as he addressed the guests toward the end of the program, following the video and testimonials by two mothers of young patients featured in it. “They go there for treatment feeling frightened and looking for hope. Because of the care they receive, most leave with a bright and happy future.”

With everyone primed, he asked the table captains to pass around baskets with pledge cards, asking that everyone present make a pledge at that moment for helping ensure that the work of the hospital continues “for every child regardless of ability to pay.”

Almost $50,000 was raised.

“In this economy we weren’t really expecting people to give,” Dawn said this week. “Dr. Alan Stiles [a doctor at the hospital] said, ‘I don’t care if we raise a dollar. It’s about raising awareness. It’s our state hospital and it’s under-funded.’ Afterwards, people kept coming up to me and saying, ‘I had no idea [about the hospital]’ and, ‘Thanks for letting us give our money.’ It was a special day. I’m honored to have been a part of it.”

Contact Valarie Schwartz at 923-3746 or valariekays [at] mac [dot] com

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