UNMC family sees benefits of United Way campaign

Donations to the United Way campaign help kids like Derek Caster (shown here with Gov. Mike Johanns) attend the Muscular Dystrophy Association’s free summer camp. Derek is the grandson of UNMC employees, Bonnie and Ed Tompkins.

Until three years ago, UNMC’s Bonnie and Ed Tompkins didn’t direct their funds to a specific United Way agency.

But, that changed when their 9-year-old grandson, Derek Caster, was diagnosed with muscular dystrophy.

Today, the UNMC couple earmarks their United Way donation to the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA), to fund research on the neuromuscular disease, as well as help send Derek and other children with muscular dystrophy to summer camp.

Their story is one example of how lives are changed by the United Way campaign.

“It’s amazing all the things the campaign does,” said Bonnie Tompkins of UNMC’s Department of Human Resources. “They’re out there helping families.”

Ed Tompkins works in UNMC’s Information Technology Services.

Although the United Way Community Care Fund supports more than 150 local health and human service programs, the cause is more personal for the Tompkins.

Derek was initially diagnosed with cerebral palsy, but when his muscles weakened despite a year of physical therapy, tests determined he had muscular dystrophy.

Last summer, Derek was chosen by his playmates at the MDA camp to be the 2004 MDA Ambassador for Nebraska. He has attended the MDA-sponsored camp for three summers, and has met many new friends. Children with muscular dystrophy can attend the summer camp without charge to their families, thanks to the donations given to the MDA. “To me, that’s a great thing,” Bonnie Tompkins said.

MDA is among the Combined Health Agencies Drive (CHAD) organizations that receive funds from the United Way campaign.

As MDA Ambassador, Derek has met Gov. Mike Johanns at the State Capitol, participated in the Papillion Days Parade and attended MDA golf functions. He also has presented awards to firefighters across the state and attended Harley-Davidson functions for MDA.

Derek’s parents are Tammy and Darin Caster of Papillion.

UNMC’s United Way campaign runs through Oct. 29. For more information about the United Way of the Midlands campaign, visit its Web site at uwmidlands.org. For information about the UNMC campaign, contact Shawn Cook at 559-6027 or smcook@unmc.edu.