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Gracely Family Gives Future Children a Reason to Smile

The Gracely family pictured above, A.J., Siobhan, Tony, Mary, Adam and Jill Gracely made a $250,000 pledge to support Texas Children's.  Of their total gift, $200,000 will help create Texas Children's Neurological Research Institute and $50,000 will go to advance existing efforts at Texas Children's Cancer Center. Giving Giving home page Hospital priorities Benefits of giving Corporate partnerships Children's Miracle Network Leaders in giving Shine magazine

Childhood cancer and neurological diseases touch almost every member of the community. Fourteen million young Americans under the age of 19 have a diagnosed neurological illness. Cancer is the leading cause of death by disease for U.S. children between infancy and 15 years of age.

Mary and Tony Gracely, their children A.J., Adam and Jill, and daughter-in-law Siobhan, recently made a $250,000 pledge—their largest financial commitment to date—to support Texas Children’s Hospital in its efforts to study and treat children with cancer and neurological disorders. Of their total gift, $200,000 will help create Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute and $50,000 will go to advance existing efforts at Texas Children’s Cancer Center.

“We’re so grateful to have a world-class hospital right here in the Houston area,” said Jill. “It’s truly a blessing for our entire community. Our family is honored to be a part of the campaign for Texas Children’s Hospital.”

Texas Children’s Neurological Research Institute will focus on accelerating the study and treatment of neurodevelopmental disorders including autism, Rett syndrome, Down syndrome, Angelman syndrome, childhood epilepsy, mental retardation, language disorders and cerebral palsy. Texas Children’s Cancer Center, the largest pediatric cancer and hematology program in the United States, provides personalized, family-centered care to children, adolescents and young adults with cancer and blood disorders.

Mary recently had the opportunity to hear Huda Zoghbi, M.D., internationally renowned scientist and director of Texas Children’s Neurological Research Institute, speak about her research.

“The strides that are being made to catch some of these childhood neurological illnesses early on and serve these children when they are so young so their lives are improved immediately was truly moving to me,” she said. “When I told my family about this, they were equally as moved, and we all felt it was important to support the neurological research institute. In addition, Tony and I have a nephew who has Asperger syndrome, so we are very cognizant of the fact that neurological disorders in infants and children are becoming more common.”

A tour of Texas Children’s made the family realize they wanted to support the work of Texas Children’s Cancer Center as well. “The day we visited the Cancer Center, we saw children who had no reason to smile but were because of the care they were getting and how they were being treated by every member of Texas Children’s,” said Mary.

“We absolutely have such high respect for those who have medical expertise and are truly committed to their work,” she continued. “Our gift is our family’s way of showing our support for Texas Children’s Hospital.”

Make a gift now or pledge a contribution to be matched by Texas Children's Hospital. For questions, please email jsclem@texaschildrenshospital.org or call 832-824-2107.

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