Baker Proud Fall 2017 - 25

BAKER PROUD | Fall 2017

Baker Family: Cindy and Don Rogers' Story

calls ended with a statement of "I will be there tomorrow."
ne thing everyone associated with Baker
One friend cut his business trip short to visit and another
knows to be true-whether they be alumni,
researched where Cindy could find the best medical care
staff, faculty, or current students-is how
for her condition. Luckily, some of the best doctors were
strong the sense of community and the depth
right there in Dallas.
of support are among fellow Wildcats, in both good times
"We received calls from Baker
and difficult ones. Graduates know
friends from New Jersey to Calithat walking across the stage at
fornia, Washington to Florida, and
commencement is not the end of
seemingly everywhere in between,"
their Baker journey. Many have
Don said.
forged lifelong friendships that
Their daughter launched a
withstand time and distance. For
Caring Bridge site for Cindy to keep
Don and Cindy Rogers, their Baker
friends and loved ones up to date
family came to their aid when they
on her condition. Looking back at
needed it most.
the site now, there have been over
Don, '69, Delta Tau Delta, and
45,000 views from people wanting to
Cindy, '70, Delta Delta Delta,
stay informed about her condition.
have been loyal supporters of the
A GoFundMe site was also created
football team and attend games and
to help with the costs of the move
alumni events whenever possible.
and travel costs for their children.
However, suddenly in August 2015,
After 10 months, in June 2016,
Cindy, who is a descendant of
Don
and
Cindy
Rogers
are
thankful
they
could
lean
Cindy was finally released to go
Baker University President Nelson
on their Baker family when they needed them most.
home. The Rogers still receive
Horn (1936-1956), became ill with
messages and calls from the Baker community asking how
a severe case of necrotic pancreatitis. With no symptoms,
they are doing. Nearly two years after the illness struck,
this news blindsided the Rogers, who were in the middle
Cindy is about 80 percent recovered. She still deals with
of a Texas-to-Kansas City move.
residual effects, but she is optimistic they will be resolved.
Doctors at Methodist Dallas Medical Center told the
couple that Cindy had one of the worst cases of pancreatitis that they had seen. Soon, she was in the ICU.
"Throughout these events that turned
As news of her illness spread, the Rogers began to
our lives upside down, we've come to
receive numerous offers of help from friends, family, and
members of the Baker community. Cindy was so ill at the
appreciate the importance of friends
time, she was not fully aware of how much support they
and family." -Don Rogers
were receiving. Friends and family stepped up to help the
Rogers' children-Brian, Jeff, and Katie Glasscock, '99-
Don and Cindy's favorite hobby is spending time with
coordinate the move for their parents. Baker friends were
their grandchildren. They plan to attend football games
waiting in the Lenexa area for the moving truck, where
this fall and look forward to seeing "those old friends as
they helped to unload, unpack, and prepare the house-
often as we can." And when Cindy's health allows it, they
from pulling weeds to putting dishes away.
plan to travel to see some of the friends who have come to
Baker friends were not just helping, they were droptheir aid over the past two years.
ping everything to come to visit them.
"Throughout these events that turned our lives up"Other Baker friends offered to come to Dallas and
side down, we've come to appreciate the importance of
assist with Cindy's care," Don said. "They made the long
friends and family," Don said. "Cindy said she could feel
drive to come sit by her side and offer us both the moral
her strength improving knowing so many were thinking
support we needed. One friend even went shopping for
about her and including us in their prayers. Baker Uninew clothes, which really brightened Cindy's day."
versity has been such an important part of our lives for
During this time in the hospital, the Rogers also
the last 50 years, and clearly it came to our aid when we
received phone calls from Baker friends who had heard
needed it most."
about Cindy and offered help in any measure. Many of the

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Baker Proud Fall 2017