LITTLE ROCK — Alicia Bowker, an 8-year-old cancer survivor from Pea Ridge, was one of about 50 pediatric cancer patients and families visited by Santa Claus at the annual CARTI Kids Christmas Party held Nov. 20 at the Scimitar Shrine Temple in Little Rock.

CARTI Kids attending the Christmas party ranged in age from 2-18 years old and represented areas all across Arkansas.

Santa delivered presents to each CARTI Kid and his or her siblings with the assistance of his “elf-fora-day,” Mrs. Arkansas 2010 Michelle Flake of Little Rock.

Bowker was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma at the age of 6 and received treatment at CARTI/UAMS in Little Rock. A third-grade student at Pea Ridge Intermediate, she is the daughter of Heather Bowker of Pea Ridge.

CARTI Kids are current andformer pediatric cancer patients who serve as a network of support and encouragement to others.

“CARTI is the primary radiation therapy provider in Arkansas for the treatment of pediatric cancer patients,” said Mary Machen, CARTI Director of Community Outreach and CARTI Kids program director. “Having the opportunity to bring these young survivors together each year is the best gift we could ever hope to offer the families of those who are going through, or who have gone through, the cancer diagnosis of a child.”

“At the CARTI Kids Christmas Party, we celebrate much more than the holidays,” Machen said.

“We celebrate survivorship, and we celebrate life.”

Approximately 300 people attended the party, which featured a luncheon catered by Corky’sRibs and BBQ of Little Rock. Activities and games were overseen by volunteers from CARTI, Hall High School and the Little Rock Athletic Club.

The CARTI Kids Christmas Party is funded by proceeds from the CARTI Kids Golf Classic and the CARTI Kids Memorial Trust Fund. To date, the CARTI Kids Golf Classic has raised over $3 million to date for CARTI pediatric cancer programs and services.

In addition to the annual Christmas party, CARTI Kids also participate inother CARTI-sponsored activities throughout the year such as summer trips and weekend retreats.

The 25th annual CARTI Kids Golf Classic is scheduled for Oct. 2-3, 2011, at Maumelle Country Club.

For more information, contact the CARTI Foundation at 501-296-3406.

CARTI is a nonprofit radiation therapy center with facilities located Arkansas in Little Rock on the St.

Vincent, Baptist Medical Center and UAMS campuses, as well as in Conway, Mountain Home, North Little Rock and Searcy.

News, Pages 1 on 12/22/2010