In a historic show of support for pediatric cancer care in Houston, the Kinder Foundation has pledged $150 million to create the Kinder Children’s Cancer Center, a groundbreaking joint effort by Texas Children’s Hospital and The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center. This transformative initiative is set to redefine how childhood cancer is treated, researched, and experienced by families.
“When you talk about the possibility of truly curing childhood cancer, there’s nothing more meaningful,” said Rich Kinder, chairman of the Kinder Foundation. “We believe these two hospitals are the best team to make that a reality.”
A Bold Partnership with a Singular Mission
The Kinder Children’s Cancer Center represents a rare collaboration between two nationally renowned institutions. With equal governance and shared leadership, the project aims to unify patient care, research, and innovation under one roof — and with one goal, to end childhood cancer.
“This collaboration is not just a gift to Houston, but to families everywhere facing the unimaginable,” Kinder added. “It’s a rare and powerful moment when two leaders come together to create something entirely new.”
At its initial launch in early 2026, pediatric oncology care will be consolidated at Texas Children’s Hospital, where patients will receive integrated services. Radiation oncology will continue at MD Anderson, while adolescent and young adult care will be offered at both institutions. Over 200 Texas Children’s pediatric oncology specialists, alongside 100 MD Anderson clinicians and researchers, will form the core team.
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A $1 Billion Vision, $600 Million for New Facility
The $150 million donation is the lead gift in an ambitious $1 billion capital campaign, announced by MD Anderson President Dr. Peter Pisters. The campaign will fund everything from faculty recruitment to cutting-edge programs.
Planners have earmarked roughly $600 million to build a state-of-the-art pediatric cancer hospital on the 6700 block of Main Street, directly across from Texas Children’s. The building will open by 2030 or 2031, but services will begin in existing facilities by 2026.
“We’re not just expanding treatment,” Pisters said. “We’re building an epicenter for pediatric oncology research that will spark interest from pharmaceutical companies and accelerate drug discovery for children.”
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What the New Center Will Offer
Once complete, the new pediatric cancer center in Houston will be the nation’s largest and most comprehensive center solely dedicated to childhood cancer. It will offer:
Inpatient and outpatient treatment
Dedicated clinics for diseases like leukemia and osteosarcoma
Chemotherapy infusion spaces
Cutting-edge research laboratories
Most services will occupy the new facility, but radiation therapy will remain at MD Anderson, and surgeons will perform operations at Texas Children’s.
A skybridge will connect the two institutions, physically reflecting the partnership’s shared mission and making transitions easier for families.
“We want Kinder Children’s to feel like a medical home,” Pisters said. “A place where children see familiar clinicians, without departments bouncing them around like a pinball machine.”
A New Model for Pediatric Cancer Care
The project’s design reimagines pediatric cancer care delivery, not just constructing a building. Housing most services in one location and encouraging collaboration between elite teams will attract top researchers and create a hub for large-scale clinical trials.
“For pharmaceutical companies, pediatric cancer is a small market,” said Pisters. “But when you centralize care at this scale, it creates powerful opportunities for breakthrough therapies.”
A Legacy of Hope
The Kinder Foundation’s gift stands as one of the largest donations ever made to a U.S. pediatric hospital — and one of the most significant in the history of the Texas Medical Center.
“This isn’t just a donation,” Kinder said. “It’s an investment in a better future for every child facing cancer.”
Construction plans are underway, a global search seeks the center’s leadership team, and deep institutional collaboration drives progress as Kinder Children’s Cancer Center prepares to become a beacon of hope — not just for Houston, but for the world.
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The U.S.’ New Largest Pediatric Cancer Center in Houston – The Kinder Children’s Cancer Center: Project Factsheet
Overview
Joint initiative between Texas Children’s Hospital and The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center
Lead gift of $150 million from the Kinder Foundation
Goal: To unify patient care, research, and innovation to end childhood cancer
Timeline
Initial services launch: Early 2026 (in existing facilities)
New facility expected opening: 2030-2031
Funding
Lead gift: $150 million from Kinder Foundation
Total campaign goal: $1 billion
New facility cost: Approximately $600 million
Facility Details
Location: 6700 block of Main Street (across from Texas Children’s)
Connected to Texas Children’s via skybridge
Will be the nation’s largest center dedicated to childhood cancer
Services
Inpatient and outpatient treatment
Dedicated disease-specific clinics (leukemia, osteosarcoma, etc.)
Chemotherapy infusion spaces
Research laboratories
Radiation therapy (to remain at MD Anderson)
Surgeries (to be performed at Texas Children’s)
Impact
Centralizes pediatric cancer care in one location
Creates opportunities for breakthrough therapies and clinical trials
Aims to fundamentally transform childhood cancer treatment and research
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