The Children's Tumor Foundation will honor Sarah Wengel with a Humanitarian Award at the 2024 National Gala
Sarah Hutchinson Wengel lives in Little Rock, Arkansas, with her husband of more than 23 years, David Wengel. They have two children: Jaella, who just graduated from Barnard College and is now completing a Master’s degree in Public Administration at Columbia University, and Malcolm, a sophomore at The University of Pennsylvania, where he is studying Finance at Wharton. She has been heavily involved in
various philanthropic causes, such as Children’s Tumor Foundation, for the past 15 years.
We spoke with Sarah about her longstanding support for the Children’s Tumor Foundation (CTF) through her involvement with Dancing With Our Stars (DWOS).
Can you tell us about yourself?
My name is Sarah Wengel, and I am from Little Rock, Arkansas. My husband, Dave, and I have been married for 23 years, and we have been blessed with two amazing kids. Our daughter, Jaella, just graduated from Barnard College and is now completing a Master’s degree in Public Administration at Columbia University. Our son, Malcolm, is currently a sophomore at The University of Pennsylvania, where he is studying Finance at Wharton. I am passionate about supporting worthy causes such as CTF and I am so honored to be among this year’s humanitarian award recipients.
When did you first learn of CTF?
I first learned of CTF in 2015 when Lesley Oslica asked me to be one of the local stars for Dancing With Our Stars.
What has your involvement with CTF been like?
I was so impressed with Lesley’s heart for the charity and her dedication to volunteerism for the organization. That, combined with the lack of awareness about NF in the state and seeing the children affected, really touched me and made me want to stay involved.
When did you first learn about NF (neurofibromatosis or schwannomatosis)?
I first learned about NF and its devastating lifelong effect in 2015 when I became involved with CTF for DWOS.
Tell us about your corporate career.
Most of my career has been spent raising our two amazing kids, supporting my husband in his entrepreneurial pursuits, and supporting my dad in his various political races. My dad, Asa Hutchinson, was the 46th Governor of Arkansas, and I was proud to work on both his 2014 and 2018 campaigns and help organize and lead both of his inauguration celebrations. I helped my husband and our kids launch a 501c3 non-profit called ARCodeKids, which raised over $500,000 in support of expanding computer science education in the state of Arkansas, and I have also volunteered extensively over the past 15 years with The Twentieth Century Lodge and Women and Children First in Little Rock.
What has it been like to raise funds for CTF?
Raising funds in Arkansas has been so rewarding and worthwhile. Thanks to the work of the Arkansas Advisory Board of Directors and the local chapter of CTF here in Arkansas, we now have the Adult NF Clinic at UAMS Winthrop P Rockefeller Cancer Institute, which has been providing much-needed multidisciplinary care to adult NF patients since officially opening in 2022.
What do you hope to see for patients with NF in the future?
Well, ideally, we could just find a cure. Otherwise, I hope we can get more drugs on the market to help people affected by NF. There are so many life-saving drugs that we need to get out of clinical trials and into the hands of NF patients everywhere.
How do you feel about being honored by the Children’s Tumor Foundation at the National Gala?
I feel blessed and unworthy. This is such an amazing cause, and anything I’ve done seems pale in comparison to others. I just hope through this award and fundraising galas like this we can continue to raise awareness and funds for everyone suffering from NF.
Why CTF? Why should others support CTF? Why do you?
I support CTF because I have seen firsthand how the organization supports and lifts up the patients and families impacted. I have seen how the national organization empowers local CTF organizations, such as in Arkansas, to do innovative events that engage our community to raise money and awareness. While my family has never directly been impacted by NF, I have worked hard to raise awareness and encouraged others to support this amazing organization because they are doing such great work.
The Children’s Tumor Foundation National Gala will take place on November 18, 2024, at Gotham Hall in New York City. The event’s program will be live-streamed globally. To learn more or register, go to ctf.org/gala.
