Cynthia Ford
ince the school year has begun, Cynthia Ford is busy carpooling,
monitoring homework and attending the athletic events of her
four children. Because the ages of her children range from 3-
14, she is busy balancing the dynamics of her family and communi-
ty volunteer work. Her level of involvement is directly related to her
family's needs. Her priorities are clear: Her family comes first.
When she has "free" time, it's a natural transition to volunteer for
Children's Hospital. Children's Hospital was one of the first orga-
nizations she became involved with after moving back to Detroit in
the 1980s. "My husband and I both thought if we were going to give
time, it would be for passion and compassion for Children's," said
Cynthia Ford.
According to Thomas M. Rozek, president of Children's Hospi-
tal of Michigan, "she was instrumental in helping secure major gift
support for Children's Caring for Kids $19 million capital campaign
S
to construct the new Ambulatory Care Center in 1991." She and her
husband were honorary chairmen of the hospital's largest special
event fundraiser, the Festival of Trees in 1993, which produced more
than $300,000 for pediatric research.
"Once you have identified an area that you are passionate about,
there is a quest for information and knowledge. The more you find
out about it, the more you can do. It's rewarding on a personal lev-
el," says Ford about her work at Children's. She believes it's a re-
ality check at Children's Hospital. "At the end of the day, you'll
come home and say 'I'm really a lucky person.' "
Cynthia Ford has been reluctant in the past to give interviews.
She has never been a publicity seeker. A friend describes Ford as
being grounded in personal values, a real individual who sets her own
trends. Carla Schwartz
STYLE • WINTER 1995 •
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