NEWS
Collins and Wanda Burton
Meaningful estate gift to help others breathe easier
Collins Burton struggled with asthma his entire life. Wanda, his wife, understood his struggle,
suffering herself from Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), a progressive disease
that blocks airflow and makes breathing difficult. Thankfully, the Martha Foster Lung Care
Center at Baylor University Medical Center at Dallas, under the leadership of medical
director and pulmonologist Mark Millard, M.D., helped both Wanda and Collins manage
their pulmonary diseases for years until their deaths in 2011 and 2012, respectively.
BAYLOR’S TINIEST BABIES
showered with gifts by anonymous donor
Thanks to a generous anonymous donor, the Baylor
Blanche Swanzy Lange Neonatal Intensive Care Unit
Asthma is a lung disease that makes breathing difficult for
“Wanda and I wanted to make
this gift in the hope that other
patients with pulmonary
illnesses will be able to lead
more productive, healthy lives.”
– Collins Burton
(NICU) at Baylor University Medical Center at Dallas
millions of Americans. While most people think asthma only occurs
during childhood or adolescence, the reality is it can occur at any age.
is receiving care-enhancing, life-sustaining equipment.
The onset of COPD, however, rarely occurs before the age of 45.
The Giraffe Bed gives
vulnerable infants at Baylor
additional protection.
Symptoms of COPD often don’t appear until significant lung
damage has occurred, and they usually worsen over time. COPD
affects more than 24 million Americans and is the third- leading
cause of death in the country.
With this $470,000 gift, the Lange NICU will replace
Grateful for the quality of care they received from their pulmon-
Though there are currently no treatments that undo lung damage
ologist, the Burtons left generous bequests to create an endowment
from asthma and COPD, Dr. Millard and his colleagues at the Martha
fund in support of pulmonary research initiatives at the Martha Foster
Foster Lung Care Center are continually striving to quickly bring new
more than 1,000 babies and their families treated annually
Lung Care Center. To date, Baylor Health Care System Foundation
treatment options to their patients. Dr. Millard is currently conduct-
at Baylor with advanced technology and equipment.
The Giraffe Bed is especially designed for premature and
equipped with advanced life-support services and technol-
seriously ill infants. This resource allows staff to provide
ogies and is supported by specialized nurses, neonatal nurse
Dr. Millard has also collaborated with the Baylor Institute
Martha Foster Lung Care Center and Dr. Millard’s pulmo-
for Immunology Research to understand more fully how
care for these infants with as little movement as possible
Collins and Wanda Burton
when performing treatment for these tiny, vulnerable
asthma can be modified.
patients. The Giraffe Beds are a welcome addition for the
expertise to care for the most intricate and complex needs
caregivers.
of premature and seriously ill babies.
The Burtons left a lasting legacy through their estates by creating
an endowment fund in their names. An endowment fund consists of
Additionally, 32 new NICView camera systems will be
card company for the trucking industry, where he was the company’s
assets permanently given to charity that are invested to generate a
purchased to provide mothers and families whose infants
founder and Wanda served as executive vice president. During their
stream of income for that organization. In this case, the Baylor