NONPROFIT
By Philip Allison | Photos by Daniel Moody
The Difference Care Close to Home Can Make
At 24 weeks pregnant, Candy Lambert went in for what was supposed to be a routine anatomy scan. Instead, she and her husband, Rob, found themselves stepping into a world they never expected — one filled with specialists, uncertainty and difficult questions no first-time parents feel prepared to answer.
Doctors discovered their daughter, Simone, had congenital anomalies, including two holes in her heart and signs that part of her brain, the corpus callosum, was missing. More appointments followed: maternal-fetal medicine consultations, fetal MRIs at Arkansas Children’s and long conversations about what the future might hold.
“We knew she would likely have disabilities, but nobody could really tell us exactly what that meant,” Lambert said. “There was no roadmap.”
Today, Simone is 4 1/2 years old — spirited, joyful and adored by nearly everyone she meets. She communicates in her own unmistakable way and has become, in many respects, the center of a community that has rallied around her and her family from the very beginning.
For the Lamberts, that community has included the physicians, nurses and specialists at Arkansas Children’s Northwest, where Simone continues to receive much of her care.
“She teaches me something new every day,” Lambert said. “She’s taught me there’s beauty and diversity in disability. I don’t think people fully understand that beauty until they’re in it.”
Simone’s story began before she was born.
After the anatomy scan revealed concerns, Candy spent the remainder of her pregnancy traveling to medical appointments and monitoring visits. Although doctors assured the couple Simone would likely make it to term, the unknowns loomed large.
“I felt like my whole world turned upside down,” Lambert said. “Worrying did me no good, but that’s all I could do.”
Simone was born at 40 weeks and spent her first three days in the neonatal intensive care unit at a local hospital before being airlifted to Arkansas Children’s Hospital in Little Rock. There, she would remain in the NICU for 65 days.
Additional testing confirmed Simone had two ventricular septal defects, commonly known as VSDs, as well as a cleft palate and micrognathia, a condition in which the jaw is recessed. At just 3 weeks old, Simone underwent surgery to correct her jaw.
Genetic testing later revealed the underlying cause behind many of her diagnoses: a rare chromosome disorder called 8p inverted duplication and deletion syndrome.
“There are maybe 500 known cases,” Lambert said. “It’s a very small community, and there’s still not a lot of information.”
The condition exists on a broad developmental spectrum. Simone is currently nonverbal, though Lambert describes her as “very vocal,” and she continues to work toward walking through ongoing therapies.
“She absolutely lets us know what she wants,” Lambert said, laughing. “You just learn her language.”
The family’s connection to Arkansas Children’s deepened during Simone’s NICU stay and continued after they returned home to Lowell. Almost immediately, Simone was enrolled with specialty clinics through Arkansas Children’s Northwest in Springdale.
Now, most of her appointments happen just 15 minutes from home.
For families in Northwest Arkansas, the presence of ACNW has transformed access to pediatric specialty care, reducing the need for frequent trips to Little Rock and allowing medically complex children to receive care closer to home.
For the Lamberts, that convenience has been more than practical — it has been essential.
“Especially those first couple of years, it was a lifesaver,” Lambert said. “We even talked about whether we would have to move to Little Rock if Arkansas Children’s Northwest wasn’t here.”
Simone is followed by multiple specialists, including the ENT, cardiology, endocrinology, neurosurgery and ophthalmology teams. Some physicians travel from Little Rock to Northwest Arkansas to see patients, allowing families like the Lamberts to avoid hours on the road for routine visits.
Today, many of Simone’s appointments are simply checkups scheduled every few months or years. One of the holes in her heart has closed entirely, and the second is now very small.
Still, therapies remain central to Simone’s daily life. She attends developmental daycare, where she receives speech, physical and occupational therapies designed to help her build strength and communication skills before she starts kindergarten.
The assumption, Lambert said, is that Simone will always need some level of care and support. For now, however, the family tries to focus on the present — on milestones big and small and on the moments of joy Simone creates effortlessly.
And there are many.
Lambert describes her daughter as “spirited” in the way only a 4-year-old can be. Simone loves holding hands and resting her head against the people she trusts most. She also has strong opinions and no hesitation about expressing them.
Her favorite source of entertainment is Ms. Rachel, the popular children’s educator, whose songs and videos can consistently coax smiles and laughter from Simone. “She doesn’t smile a lot, so when something gets that reaction from her, it means a lot,” Lambert said.
Lambert said everyone who meets Simone is smitten by her. “She brings joy everywhere she goes just by being herself.”
That, perhaps, is Simone’s greatest accomplishment so far — not the medical milestones or therapy achievements but the way she reshapes the people around her.
The Lamberts say one of the most meaningful aspects of their experience with Arkansas Children’s has been the sense of understanding they feel walking through its doors.
“It feels like a safe place for her to be herself,” Lambert said. “I don’t feel like I have to explain why she is the way she is. The staff there sees all kinds of kids, and they meet her where she is.”
That comfort extends beyond clinical care. Lambert said staff members have also helped the family navigate complicated systems involving Medicaid, therapies and other support resources. And when emergencies arise, ACNW is the first place they go.
In fiscal year 2025 — July 1, 2024 to June 30, 2025 — Arkansas Children’s served more than 196,000 children, more children than ever before, and the need for services continues to grow. The $371 million expansion across Arkansas Children’s focuses on delivering better access, exceptional outcomes and improved on-campus experiences.
Arkansas Children’s is growing to improve child health for children like Simone, who is the 2026 Will Golf 4 Kids and Gala of Hope Champion Child. Thanks to the generous Northwest Arkansas community, these volunteer-led events have raised more than $26.4 million for children. This year’s event marks the 32nd annual Will Golf 4 Kids Tournament and 18th annual Gala of Hope, both benefiting the ACNW expansion project. The four-person scramble golf tournament will be held July 30-31 at the Dogwood Golf Course and Kingswood Golf Course in Bella Vista. The gala will take place July 31 at the Fayetteville Public Library.
FOR MORE INFO:
To learn more about Arkansas Children’s expansion, visit www.archildrens.org/expansion. To learn how you can join and champion children like Simone, visit www.golfandgala.com.
Every day, we are a step closer to the 32nd annual Will Golf 4 Kids and the 18th annual Gala of Hope, benefiting Arkansas Children’s Northwest. Chairing this year’s gala are Dalilah and Ben Blakeman. CitiScapes Magazine visited with Ben to learn more about the “why” behind these incredible events.
What inspired you to chair this year’s event, and what does it mean to you personally?
When the opportunity came up, Dalilah and I didn't hesitate, and the reason is pretty simple: This organization is too important to this community to say no. If there is a child in your life that you love, you want to know that the best healthcare is available to them should they ever need it. That’s deeply personal for us. Knowing every dollar raised goes directly toward expanding pediatric care right here in Northwest Arkansas makes every hour we’re involved with golf and gala feel worthwhile.
How have you seen Arkansas Children’s Northwest make an impact in the community?
Before ACNW opened in 2018, families across Northwest Arkansas often had to travel long distances just to access specialized pediatric care. Now we have the first and only pediatric hospital in this region. ACNW is home to the area’s only pediatric emergency department, with 30 exam rooms. That’s a genuine lifeline for families in a crisis. With more than 20 subspecialties available through outpatient clinics, children can receive world-class care close to home. The impact is simple but profound: Children get better faster, and families don’t have to face those moments alone and far from home.
What excites you most about this year’s fundraiser?
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Staff Report | Photo by Beth Hall Photography
Q&A With the Gala of Hope Chairs
This is the 32nd annual Will Golf 4 Kids and the 18th annual Gala of Hope, and the legacy of generosity behind these events is remarkable. Together, they have raised more than $26.4 million for children over the years, a number that is just amazing. This year, every dollar is going toward a transformational $83 million expansion at ACNW, so the stakes feel higher and more exciting than ever.
What are you hoping guests will experience or feel during these events?
I want golfers to enjoy two fantastic days out on the course while knowing their participation is genuinely changing lives. I want guests at the Gala of Hope to feel the energy of a community that truly cares about its children. But more than anything, I hope everyone leaves feeling hopeful about what the region is building and proud of the role they played in making it happen.
Why are fundraising events like this important to ACNW’s success?
ACNW’s expansion relies on community support to become a reality. Philanthropic dollars are an important part of what it takes to build truly exceptional pediatric care. These events also build awareness in a meaningful way. The more our community understands what ACNW offers, the more families will know to turn to them when it matters most. It’s both a fundraising effort and a community education effort rolled into one.
If you could describe ACNW in three words, what would they be?
Exceptional. Accessible. Transformative. From its founding as an orphanage in 1912 to a nationally acclaimed pediatric healthcare system today, Arkansas Children’s has always found a way to meet children where they are. That’s exceptional. Having a Level IV pediatric trauma center and a fully equipped surgical unit right here in Northwest Arkansas means care is accessible when seconds count. And what they’re building with this expansion is nothing short of transformative for this entire region.
What would you say to someone considering coming to these events for the first time?
Come for the fun, stay for the purpose. Whether you’re a golfer or a gala-goer, these are two of the best events of the summer in Northwest Arkansas, and you’ll be surrounded by people who love this community and want to invest in its future. And the silent auction is open to everyone starting July 22 at www.golfandgala.com. You don’t need a ticket to the gala to participate, which means the entire community can be part of this. The silent auction is free to participate — unless you win an item — and a great way to get involved from wherever you are.
What do you hope the future looks like for the Northwest campus?
The expansion will take ACNW from 25 to 40 inpatient beds. That’s not just a number, that’s 15 more children who can receive care close to their families on any given day. I hope to see bigger spaces and growing programs capable of treating more complex conditions, reducing the need to transfer children to other facilities. Ultimately, I hope Northwest Arkansas becomes a place where no family ever has to wonder whether the right care is available for their child.
How can the community best support the mission beyond attending the event?
There are a few easy ways to get involved. You can make a direct gift to either the expansion project or a specific area of the hospital at any time by visiting www.archildrens.org/give. And, as mentioned, you can also participate in the online silent auction at www.golfandgala.com. And honestly, one of the most powerful things people can do is simply spread the word. The more people who know about ACNW and its mission, the stronger that community of support becomes.
What message would you like to share with supporters and donors?
Your generosity is building something lasting. Every contribution helps ACNW make children better today and healthier tomorrow, and that impact ripples through families for generations. This community has already helped raise more than $26.4 million for children through these two events over the years. That’s an extraordinary legacy. Let’s keep that momentum going. Thank you for believing that the children of Northwest Arkansas deserve the very best.
Why do you believe philanthropy and community involvement matter right now?
We live in a region that is growing rapidly and the healthcare infrastructure for our children needs to grow with it. Philanthropy is a big part of how that happens. Arkansas Children’s has been championing children for more than 100 years, and that legacy of commitment is only sustained because communities choose to invest in it, generation after generation. When you give your time, resources and voice to a cause like this, you’re sending a clear message: The children in our community are worth investing in.
What keeps you inspired to continue giving your time and energy to ACNW?
ACNW exists to champion children, to make them better today and healthier tomorrow. That’s a cause that’s hard not to show up for. Northwest Arkansas is an extraordinary community, and ACNW is a reflection of what we can build when we come together around something that matters. Every expansion bed, every new subspecialty clinic, every child treated close to home, each one is a step toward a brighter future for kids in Arkansas. That keeps us going.