Children’s Cancer Fund is donating $2.5 million to help with the construction of the new $5 billion Moody Children’s Hospital in Dallas, which expects to open its doors by 2031.
According to Children’s Cancer Fund’s (CCF) CEO Jennifer Arthur, growing demand requires larger infrastructures to meet patients’ needs.
“It’s not just about having a hospital. It’s about having enough capacity, enough specialists, and enough access for every child who needs care,” Arthur said.
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The $5 billion project from Children’s Health and UT Southwestern Medical Center will be located directly across from UT Southwestern William P. Clements Junior University, replacing the existing Children’s Medical Center Dallas, a facility completed in 1967 and among Texas’s largest pediatric hospitals.
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Artist Sharon Lee Clark helps pediatric patient model Liam Yoel Eugenio Lara, 12, paint a handbag before a ceremony to announce the 18 pediatric patient models for the Children’s Cancer Fund Gala at NorthPark Center, Wednesday, March 4, 2026, in Dallas.
Elías Valverde II / Staff Photographer
The new health center is slated to have numerous technological upgrades in areas such as radiology, endoscopy and catheterization laboratories.
To date, the North Texas nonprofit has invested more than $7 million to support Children’s Health and UT Southwestern’s research, education and specialized care for pediatric cancer patients. Data shows cancer remains the leading cause of disease-related death among children in the U.S.
“We are proud to invest in [this] transformational project,” Arthur said in a statement. “[It] will elevate the standard of care and ensure children in our community have access to the very best treatments close to home.”
Pediatric diagnoses such as diabetes and emotional and addictive disorders are on the rise, with some counties exceeding a one-year waitlist for specialized care, according to research from Children’s Health.
CCF invests the money it raises through donations and uses a portion of the investment earnings to support a designated cause, then reinvests the extra earnings, helping the fund grow over time.
The organization will also host its 36th annual “Unbridled Courage” gala on April 17th, as another way to raise money while honoring and recognizing patients and their families.
In appreciation of the nonprofit’s support, the new pediatric complex will include a special playground for patients and families receiving care at the Pauline Allen Gill Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders, which will bear CCF’s name.
Children’s Medical Center Foundation president Brent Christopher said the $2.5 million gift reflects a shared commitment to build a brighter, healthier future for kids.
“Generous investments like this bring us one step closer to opening a world-class campus that will serve many generations to come,” Christopher said.
Children’s Health Associate GC Kathleen Benner making a lasting impact
She’s been a driving force behind the hospital company’s $5.4 billion pediatric campus project.
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