Announcing “Children’s Health Foundation”

Forty years ago this fall, a group of friends in Oklahoma City came together to discuss the future of children’s healthcare in Oklahoma. This group of concerned Oklahomans, including doctors, lawyers, mothers, and fathers created a nonprofit organization to focus on raising funds for pediatric medical research, supporting pediatric clinical care for Oklahoma children, and educating future pediatricians at the University of Oklahoma College of Medicine. Their passion for children’s healthcare and children living in Oklahoma resulted in the formation of Children’s Medical Research, Inc.

Since our inception in 1982, we have raised more than $150 million: $80 million of that supporting Pediatrics and Pediatric Surgery. As a result of our funding, new research labs now exist in pediatric cancer and diabetes, and we continue to provide more than $2.5 million a year for pediatric research, education and clinical care programs. Your support has been key to the growth and success of these programs, and we are so grateful for your ongoing partnership with us.

As I am sure you know, thousands of children living in Oklahoma, surrounding states, and around the world, have benefited from the fundraising efforts of Children’s Medical Research, Inc. over the past four decades. In 2008, Children’s Medical Research, Inc. began doing business as Children’s Hospital Foundation to signal to our donors that our support directly impacted care at Children’s Hospital at the OU Medical Center. Now, flash forward to 2022 as we embrace the future and all of the opportunities and challenges it brings. As we set our sights on helping even more children across our state, we will increase our fundraising and collaborative presence throughout the state. 

As a reflection of our newly expanded mission and role throughout Oklahoma, we have adopted a new trade name—Children’s Health Foundation of Oklahoma. Children’s Health is at the heart of what we strive to elevate every day. Now, it also is at the heart of our name. Children’s Health Foundation welcomes the opportunity to expand our role in support of Oklahoma’s children. 

We are so grateful for your continued support and look to again make you proud of the difference your donations are making for the children of our state. 

Please join us as we celebrate forty years of success and begin the next chapter in our history.

Sincerely, 

Kathy McCracken

Executive Director

Children’s Health Foundation