OCT. 11, 2005 | Guests at the Arkansas Cancer Research Center’s (ACRC) 10^th Annual Gala for Life were treated to an evening of fine dining, dancing and entertainment all for a worthy cause.

Musician Michael McDonald headlined the Sept. 29 black-tie event which raised a record-setting $500,000 to benefit the work of the ACRC. Held in the Wally Allen Ballroom at the Statehouse Convention Center, the event also drew a record crowd of nearly 800 guests.

Along with his band, McDonald performed his unique style of blues-inspired rock including hits such as “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough,” “You are Everything” and “Ya Mo B There.” A former member of the Doobie Brothers, McDonald embarked on a solo career in 1982 and has recorded with such artists as Kenny Loggins and Aretha Franklin.

The event was organized by the ACRC Foundation Board of Directors to raise money for patient care and cancer research at the ACRC. Anne McAdams Bynum and Donna Cone served as co-chairmen. Committee members included Druann Baskin, Pat Carlton, Joyce Harb, Lisenne Rockefeller, Nancy Stephens, Mary Lynn Van Wyck and Jennifer McCarty. Virginia Young is director of the ACRC Foundation.

James Y. Suen, M.D., director of the ACRC and chairman of the Department of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery in the College of Medicine, and F.E. Joyce, M.D., chairman of the ACRC Foundation Board of Directors, thanked the guests for their continued support.

“By celebrating with us tonight at the Gala for Life, you are helping make it possible for our patients to receive world-class cancer treatment right here in Little Rock,” Suen said. “Those of us who work each day at the ACRC see the groundbreaking discoveries and the compassionate care on a first-hand basis. This is my opportunity to thank you for helping to make it all possible.”

Former ACRC patient Steve Mauldin was special guest speaker. Mauldin is the president and general manager of CBS-TV affiliates in Dallas and Fort Worth, Texas.

Mauldin, who was treated by Suen for squamous cell carcinoma of the neck, praised the care he received and his surgeon. After originally seeking help at a cancer center in another state, Mauldin said he was led to Suen and the ACRC through a friend. “[In him] I found a doctor who was with me from the start to the cure … a doctor with compassion.

“Two years later I am standing here. I spent four and a half months at the ACRC and I can’t tell you how wonderful the people are. I’m glad to be here. I’m glad to be anywhere. One in three people will get cancer. For those of you fighting it, don’t give up,”

In addition to McDonald’s concert, guests also took part in a live auction featuring items such as a 2005 Toyota Avalon XLS and a guitar autographed by the Eagles. More than $50,000 was raised through the auction alone.

Presenting sponsors for the evening were Lt. Gov. Win and Lisenne Rockefeller and Pat Walker. Benefactors were Mary Kay and F.E. Joyce, M.D.

Patrons were Patti and John Bailey, Bank of America, The Brown Foundation, Mr. and Mrs. Bill Carlton, Oaklawn Jockey Club, Sandra and Robert C. Conner, Remmel Dickinson, Lexicon Inc./Marge and Tom Schueck, Murphy Oil and Mary Lynn and Bronson Van Wyck.

Sponsors were the ACRC Auxiliary, Alltel, Arkansas Business Publishing Group, Arkansas Children’s Hospital, David and Donna Cone, Cooper Communities, Entergy Arkansas, Greenwood & Associates Inc., Hickingbotham Investments, Francis Browning — QualChoice/QCA and Regions Bank.