Tom Lamphere and Jan Richey

Giving from the heart: Couple’s gift propels pediatric research 
 

More than two years since they toured a lab filled with test tubes, microscopes and lots of other fancy gadgets, Tom Lamphere and his wife, Jan Richey, are still impressed to learn about how researchers are using stem cells to better understand pediatric cancer and organ failure. 

And they want to be a part of the discoveries underway that will change the way we care for children.  

Innovative work at Children’s Medical Center Research Institute at UT Southwestern (CRI) – a joint venture between Children’s Health and UT Southwestern that seeks to cure people who would otherwise not be cured – inspired the couple to make a sizable bequest.  

With their investment, the couple is supporting research that is focused on understanding pediatric diseases to revolutionize treatment for children.   

“The passion of the scientists was incredible. This research isn’t a job for them. Every single person is on a mission – a big mission together,” Jan said. “This is an amazing group of people working hard to find cures for childhood diseases.”  

For decades, Tom and Jan have been dedicated supporters of Children’s Health. Their motivation began with giving to Child Life and programs that focus on the holistic experience Children’s Health brings to patient care.    

Tom will be the first to tell you, kids need to be kids – especially when they’re sick or injured.  

Almost two decades ago, when Tom and Jan heard that Children’s Health was building a second hospital in Plano to serve families north of Dallas, Tom had an idea: Donate to put a television and kid-focused activities in every patient’s room.  

“This way, patients had things to do or watch when they came back from chemo or surgery,” Tom said. “And when they were feeling well enough, there would be a playroom to visit as well.”  

That was Tom and Jan’s first major commitment to Children’s Health, and they haven’t slowed down since.  

The two also have established an endowment to support innovative care and technology in urology, and Jan is an active member of the Women’s Auxiliary to Children’s Medical Center Plano.  

Looking back, on his time as a patient and looking ahead to being a great-grandfather, Tom is      hopeful that his family will see how gratifying it is to support causes that make a difference in the lives of future generations.   

“The most fulfilling part of my life is living with a servant mentality, and what that means is living with a heart to serve others,” he said. “Jan and I have had successes that we couldn’t have imagined and part of what we enjoy about life is the challenge of how we can best help others.”