Two more Northwest Arkansas business figures joined the multimillion-dollar push to build a children's hospital in Springdale.
Kirk and Cynthia Dupps donated $1 million to the construction of Arkansas Children's Northwest, the Arkansas Children's Hospital Foundation announced Monday. The gift brings the project's total donations so far to almost $28 million, including the hospital's 37-acre home near Arvest Ballpark.
The 225,000-square-foot, 24-bed facility is set to open in January 2018.
"A children's hospital that can be reached in minutes, versus hours, which means a better quality of life for so many families," Kirk Dupps said in a news release from the foundation. "This gift is a stretch for us, but Cynthia and I feel it's one of the most important things we can do."
The couple's grandson, Jimi, was diagnosed in 2014 with acute myeloid leukemia, a cancer affecting the bone marrow and blood. The soon-to-be kindergartner is now in remission after more than 100 days of treatment at Arkansas Children's Hospital in Little Rock, according to the release.
Kirk Dupps is a senior partner and retail company consultant with Diversified Retail Solutions with years in the industry, including with Wal-Mart Stores Inc. He and his wife co-founded Community First Bank in 1998, according to his profile on the consulting firm's website. He also co-founded White River and Signature banks.
The Duppses weren't available for comment Monday, said Ashley Leopoulos, foundation spokeswoman.
The Duppses' donation joins $8 million from Wal-Mart and the Walmart Foundation, $5 million from J.B. Hunt Transportation Services and $5 million over the next five years from the Will Golf 4 Kids and Color of Hope fundraising events.
The Duppses will chair this year's Color of Hope Gala in August, according to the release. All proceeds will go to Arkansas Children's Northwest, Leopoulos said.
The hospital's construction was announced at last year's gala, where officials said they hoped to raise $70 million to put toward the $167 million project. But Leopoulos said the foundation doesn't have a confirmed goal for leadership gifts. A public fundraising campaign hasn't yet begun.
Fred Scarborough, the foundation's president, said the group is grateful for the Duppses' donation.
"This gift will ensure children in Northwest Arkansas have excellent pediatric care close to home, because all children need Children's," he said in the release.
NW News on 07/12/2016