Not your average Joes

LITTLE ROCK — The Arkansas Cancer Research Center celebrated all day Sept.

28. In the afternoon, when the symbolic shovel of dirt was overturned for the construction of a new tower, the center's name was changed to the Winthrop P.

Rockefeller Cancer Institute in memory of the late lieutenant governor.

Then that evening at the Gala for Life at the Statehouse Convention Center, the live auction of 12 items brought in more than $150,000. Galen McGee was auctioneer. The evening's profits are estimated at $700,000.

The evening recognized Jo Ellen and Joe Ford with the Pat and Willard Walker award for their years of contributions to the cancer center. "The Walkers are the most generous people I've ever known," said the center's first director, Dr. Kent Westbrook.

"Jo Ellen was on board early, and she and [the late] Betsy Blass started the auxiliary in 1986," Westbrook said. Jo Ellen also started the gift shop and began the gala. The auxiliary has given $1.2 million to the center and is the largest health-care auxiliary in the state. "She is also a mentor for young people who have come after her," he added.

Joe Ford got support from the Legislature for the center, along with Dr. Gene Joyce of Texarkana. "Thank you for me personally and for the cancer center and UAMS," he concluded.

The money raised by the gala will be matched by the state, thanks to a bill made possible by Gov. Mike Beebe and the Legislature.

Chancellor Dodd Wilson told the gathering that at the first board meeting with the new cancer center director, Dr.

Peter Emanuel, Joe Ford gave $1 million, impressing the new director.

A video, "Not Your Average Joes," showed the pair from university days to recently and included quotes from friends.

When the couple went on stage to receive the award from their grandson, Will Ford, they invited all the family to join them there. Son Scott Ford spoke about his parents.

The ballroom was crisp with lime green chair covers tied with white bows, white tablecloths with a pair of lime green runners and varying lime green centerpieces.

Designs in lime green were projected around the walls of the ballroom.

The menu included romaine lettuce salad, grilled filet mignon, mashed potatoes, jumbo asparagus and baby carrots. Desserts alternated between chocolate bombe and bananas Foster cheesecake.

Kelly Harbert was event chairman, and committee members were Stephanie Simonton-Atchley and Jerry Atchley, Shayla Copas, Ben Hussman, Angela Moody, Melody and Steve Stanley, Steve Thomas and Mary Lynn Van Wyck, chairman of ACRCFoundation Fund.

The successful live auction had Suzanne and Madison Murphy of El Dorado buying the evening at the home of Madison's brother and sister-in-law, Chip and Cindy Murphy, for $20,000. DeeDee Ricks of New York paid $30,000 to send four teenage cancer patients to Texas for a Dallas Cowboys game. Miss Over the Top, a sculpture by Jane Hankins, sold for $3,500.

The friendly Rev. Al Green of Memphis brought his special brand of music to the stage while couples filled the dance floor.

Presenting sponsors were The Stephens Group and the Willard and Pat Walker Charitable Foundation Inc.

Among the 900 guests who had $300 tickets and who enjoyed Al Green's music were Ginger Beebe, board chairman Mary Lynn Van Wyck and husband, Bronson, Ginger Wilson, Carla Emanuel, Charlotte and Justice Bob Brown, Jonnie Westbrook, Josetta Wilkins of Pine Bluff, Mary and Jim Wohlleb, Linda and Wayne Woods, Frances and Sam Buchanan, Donna and David Cone, Shayla and Scott Copas, Frances and Wayne Cranford, Cathy and Kevin Crass, Mary Lou and Bill Cravens, Shirley Davis and Tim Jacob, Joy Ramsay Blankenship of Pine Bluff, Kay and Bill Allen, Ann and Sam Anderson, Carolyn and Rog Rogers, Jennifer and Steve Ronnel, Mandy and Bill Dillard, Sally and Dr. Jon Bates, David Bazzel, Carol and Lunsford Bridges, Kathleen and Bobby Brown, Susan and Dr. Jay Brainard, Susan and Herren Hickingbotham, Raye Rogers, Barbara and Pete Hoover, Peggy and Haskell Dickinson, Debbie and Johnny Mike Walker of Springdale, Betty and Jim Guy Tucker, Nancy and Dick Trammel of Fayetteville, Dianne and Bobby Tucker, Walter Hussman, Tiffany and Daniel Robinson, Drs. Margarita and Raymond Remmel, Carol and Dr. Glenn Pait, Clementine Infante and Charley Penix, Nancy Nolan, Nancy Wood, Martha and French Hill and Barbara and Jack Nowlin.