W
Ward Burton
Guest
Last September it was reported in the Kansas City Star that Billy Duncan took son six-year-old Dusty Duncan to Grandview for an autograph session with NASCAR driver [#22] Ward Burton. Dusty, along with his four-year-old sister, Angie, suffers from a cleft palate. While the condition doesn't threaten his life, it affects his personal appearance, which in turn threatens his self-esteem. Burton was touched by the young boy in a way that surprised even Dusty's parents. After the autograph session, Burton sent a security officer after the parents, desperate to know what was wrong with their son. The security officer tracked down the Duncans and brought them back to Burton. After explaining the condition of their two young children to Burton, he asked how he could help. When the media caught wind of the story an outpour of support ensued on Dusty's behalf. The Shriner's Hospital for Children contacted Burton and told him they would handle the surgery for both children and do whatever they could to assist in treatment.
Many of Burton's fans inquired as to how they could help the Duncans with medical expenses. Since the Shriner's Hospital was handling the surgery, an address was posted on the internet for contributions. In addition to Burton's large donation, many small contributions were made to the Duncan fund.
The Duncans flew to Galveston, Texas, where Dusty and Angie were evaluated and returned home. After two months without word from the Shriner's Hospital, Sonja Duncan, the children's mother, called the Galveston hospital for an update. Sonja was told that the Shriner's would not be able to assist with the children's procedures because the family had doctors locally who could provide the service and the children were covered by Medicade. Billy Duncan did not take the news sitting down. He contacted the administrator of the Shriner's Hospital in Galveston and demanded that all of the donations made in Dusty and Angie's name be returned to the contributors.
"The administrator asked "what donations," said Duncan. "After I talked to him awhile, he said he would get something done and they would do the kids' surgeries." As of Tuesday, Aug. 5, the Duncan's were still awaiting a phone call from the hospital.
The Duncan's have stayed in contact with Burton's office and have been assured that something will be done to help their children receive the treatment they need.
I was there that night getting an autograph, but I never did see Dusty anywhere. I heard about this before we left the parking lot from someone that heard it.
Many of Burton's fans inquired as to how they could help the Duncans with medical expenses. Since the Shriner's Hospital was handling the surgery, an address was posted on the internet for contributions. In addition to Burton's large donation, many small contributions were made to the Duncan fund.
The Duncans flew to Galveston, Texas, where Dusty and Angie were evaluated and returned home. After two months without word from the Shriner's Hospital, Sonja Duncan, the children's mother, called the Galveston hospital for an update. Sonja was told that the Shriner's would not be able to assist with the children's procedures because the family had doctors locally who could provide the service and the children were covered by Medicade. Billy Duncan did not take the news sitting down. He contacted the administrator of the Shriner's Hospital in Galveston and demanded that all of the donations made in Dusty and Angie's name be returned to the contributors.
"The administrator asked "what donations," said Duncan. "After I talked to him awhile, he said he would get something done and they would do the kids' surgeries." As of Tuesday, Aug. 5, the Duncan's were still awaiting a phone call from the hospital.
The Duncan's have stayed in contact with Burton's office and have been assured that something will be done to help their children receive the treatment they need.
I was there that night getting an autograph, but I never did see Dusty anywhere. I heard about this before we left the parking lot from someone that heard it.
