WRITTEN BY Sharon Cindrich • PHOTOGRAPHY BY Eric Lusher
Donor Spotlight | Honor Roll
A grandfather’s love and support of CHKD Rick Burnell (center back) gathers with his family (from left back) Jay Burnell, Shel Burnell, Tammy Burnell, David Hale (from left front) Julia Burnell, Lillian Hale, Grace Burnell and Rachel Hale.
“I give to CHKD because I’m a firm believer that every child in our community deserves good healthcare … ” – Rick Burnell
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hen asked why he supports Children’s Hospital of The King’s Daughters, Rick Burnell doesn’t hesitate. “It’s simple,” he says. “This hospital saved my granddaughter’s life.” As former president of Armada Hoffler Real Estate Company and subsequently Atlantic Commercial Real Estate Service, Rick has always been active in the community and keenly aware of CHKD’s role as a leader in healthcare for children in Hampton Roads. He raised his three now-grown children in the area, but the 2004 birth of his granddaughter Lillian gave him an intimate and life-changing perspective on the importance of the hospital. Just days after her preterm birth, Lillian was rushed to CHKD’s neonatal intensive care unit with necrotizing enterocolitis – a deadly intestinal infection. As Lillian fought for her life, Rick was overwhelmed by the hospital’s efforts to save his granddaughter and comfort his family. “We experienced such great care and kindness during our time in the NICU with Lillian,” says Rick, describing the work of the chaplains, physicians and nurses. “The experience left a profound impression on me. I became aware of how much time, attention and expertise
everyone gave to help children with very serious health issues. It changed our whole family.” Lillian’s care inspired Rick to increase his annual gift to help other children at CHKD. “Everything they do at the hospital is about the kids. I tell others that they’d just need to spend an hour at the hospital to understand how lucky we are to have this great resource in our community,” says Rick. Despite her difficult start, today Lillian is a spunky 11-year-old who is thriving thanks to her devoted parents Rachel and David and an extended family of specialists at CHKD that includes neurologists, physical therapists and nephrologists. “We know that she would not be here without them,” Rachel says. “We will be forever thankful to CHKD.” In addition to Lillian, Rick is grandfather to Grace, Julia and Ellis, and he feels comforted knowing that CHKD will be available as his family grows. “To those whom much is given, much is expected,” he says. “Those are words I live by. I give to CHKD because I’m a firm believer that every child in our community deserves good healthcare, and it’s up to the community to support that care and make it accessible.”
SPRING 2016
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