Prisma Health Children's Hospital is the recipient of a $5 million donation from Curing Kids Cancer to benefit children's cancer research. The pledge marks the single largest gift in the history of Prisma Health Midlands.
The donation will help fund research led by Prisma Health Children's Hospital Midlands—in partnership with the University of South Carolina's School of Pharmacy.
With the pledge, Curing Kids Cancer established a new endowment named Killian’s Hope for a United South Carolina with Prisma Health Midlands Foundation. The endowment’s name is a nod to the late Killian Owen, son of Curing Kids Cancer co-founders Gráinne and Clay Owen.
Killian lost his life in 2003 at just nine years old after battling leukemia. Killian’s Hope for a United South Carolina will fund the research efforts of Prisma Health Children’s Hospital’s pediatric oncology team in collaboration with USC’s College of Pharmacy. The goal is to develop and provide access to innovative therapeutics for children with cancer and to ensure they receive the best care and treatment available.
“This gift is especially close to my heart. My husband Clay and I co-founded Curing Kids Cancer in memory of our son Killian, and our family’s roots run deep at USC. Supporting this partnership between the children’s hospital and the university is a crucial step in our quest to find cutting-edge cures for childhood cancers. Killian’s hope is that all children will one day be survivors.” said Gráinne Owen, co-founder and president, Curing Kids Cancer.
Stuart L. Cramer, D.O, Aflac Medical Director, Children’s Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders, Prisma Health Children’s Hospital is leading the effort.
“This endowment creates the opportunity to redefine pediatric oncology care in South Carolina. It unites the largest health system in South Carolina, Prisma Health, with one of the best College of Pharmacy programs in the country at the University of South Carolina,” said Dr. Cramer. “The overall goal is to increase collaboration not only locally but across the state, ensuring that all pediatric oncology patients are able to access the same innovative care no matter where they call home.”
Curing Kids Cancer is a longtime donor to Prisma Health Children’s Hospital’s pediatric oncology program and was honored in 2023 as the naming donor for its outpatient hematology and oncology clinic. The clinic, located on the second floor of the hospital, bears the name, Gamecocks Curing Kids Cancer Clinic.
Prisma Health Midlands Foundation seeks to raise an additional $2.5 million to help build the endowment. To give or learn more, click here.