Stacey Pierce, 37
Executive director and co-founder of Our Promise Cancer Resources
Who is Stacey Pierce?
I was born and raised in Hot Springs and can think of no better place to raise my two girls. I have a very long extended family history here in Hot Springs dating back to around 1840 … from an established medical practice in 1905 by Dr. Leonard Ellis to Thadeus Wheatley, who moved here from Georgia after the Civil War. You can even find a picture of my grandfather, Sheriff Leonard Ellis Jr., on the wall at the Gangster Museum or stroll through my great-great Uncle Hill Wheatley’s park downtown. Hot Springs literally is my hometown and I am proud to represent a local, homegrown foundation that gives back directly to its own community. After graduating from Lakeside, I received my B.A. in Psychology from The University of Arkansas. Go Hogs!
I grew up volunteering and working for my father and oncologist, Dr. R. Timothy Webb, at Genesis Cancer Center. He noticed that cancer patients needed help beyond medical treatment, and I was able to witness this too. They needed financial assistance for their everyday household needs. With over 20,000 patients in our covered area on treatment and nearly 2000 newly diagnosed patients each year, it became our passion to help these families lessen their financial stresses due to treatment. Our Promise was born in March of 2010 and we have been growing ever since!
I am the current vice president of the Lakeside Alumni Association. I sit on the board of the Hot Springs Debutante Coterie and represent the lifetime fundraising and cancer awareness partnership between Our Promise and the Coterie. I am a member of the Children’s Counsel at First United Methodist Church. I created and oversee the Our Promise Young Men of Distinction program. I volunteer with The United Way efforts to better the entire community, and Our Promise is one of their partner agencies. My husband and I are the owners and creators of the Diagnosis Outfitters Clothing Company. You may also find me helping out at any given time at TCBY, Dance City or Lakeside!
What one experience in your life really defined you?
This one is easy. I am blessed with two very precious little girls. Each one is very different, but equally as awesome. Becoming a mother was something that I looked forward to my entire life, and I was fortunate to have a wonderful mother and two beloved grandmothers as role models. Raising children is the hardest, most stressful task I have ever been given, but in return I am rewarded with a glimpse into the miracles God grants us each day. There is nothing like seeing the world through the eyes of a child. It makes you appreciate the small things that we adults overlook every day.
What do you love about Hot Springs?
There is only one Hot Springs. Not only is it rich with history, especially for my family, but it is absolutely gorgeous. We are surrounded by lakes and mountains and a natural beauty you won’t be able to find anywhere else. I love raising children in this community with excellent schools and a local, hometown feel. Hot Springs welcomes everyone, and I am proud to call it home.
What do you enjoy doing for fun and relaxation?
If I am not playing tennis, hanging out with my family, or cooking, I am writing music. I love to play the piano and guitar and always have. My sister and I have written many songs, including one called “All I Want” that we saved for our weddings. I have always appreciated music of all kinds thanks to my parents who took me to concerts ranging from Paul McCartney to Metallica to stage performances like Broadway musicals and symphonies. Music can be very calming and exciting all at once.
Tell us something few people know.
Few people know that The Young Men of Distinction program is 100 percent authentic and unique to Our Promise. Even though we are a new nonprofit, we have been able to distribute over $100,000 in patient assistance. We have done this through generous donors, grants, civic group assistance, but greatly due to the help from a program called The Young Men of Distinction. The Young Men of Distinction, founded by Our Promise, is a unique personal development experience for select high school boys. It provides training in leadership skills, community service, cancer education and awareness, as well as fundraising. During their time as a YMOD, the boys will begin building strong resumes, learn how they can best use their personal talents as a leader, create friendships and mem-
ories to last a lifetime. They volunteer a minimum of 25 hours of their time to help others and experience the spirit of community volunteerism. In addition to other educational and fun events, they are also recognized at the Tailgate each Fall. At the completion of the 2015 Tailgate, we have pinned almost 100 YMOD from four different schools.
If you are looking for something more fun, something few people know about me is that I despise all things that smell or taste like pumpkin. I also really enjoy watching cartoons. Ha!
Where do you see Hot Springs 20 years from now?
In 20 years, I hope to see the same Hot Springs historic charm with a revitalized downtown area and a diverse economy drawing more attention to why Hot Springs became so popular years ago. I see Hot Springs as a beacon of health and serenity for our aging population as more and more people seek the healing and rejuvenating waters. That is Hot Springs’ essence. We don’t just “bathe the world,” but we are the place of recovered health and youth to the world. I think the focus in coming years will be more about appreciating what is offered locally and I am all for that!