Founded in 1913 as an open-air “baby camp,” our hospital became a reality in 1929 thanks to Nurse May Smith’s vision and the trust Mayor Tom Bradford placed in it after she cared for his daughter, Elizabeth. Mayor Bradford donated both land and funds to create a permanent hospital for children — a foundation that has grown over the decades into the hospital we are today and will become in the years ahead.
In the spirit of our visionary founders, the Bradford Legacy Society honors donors who commit to leaving a legacy by establishing an endowmentor including Children’s Medical Center Foundation in their estate plans. Members are invited to participate in exclusive educational and social events, as well as community engagement opportunities, to celebrate their unwavering commitment to our kids and families.
Learn more about some of the remarkable donors who have made life better for children by making a planned gift.
Dow Family
After surviving life-threatening complications as a newborn, Clark inspired his grandparents to establish the first endowment dedicated to NICU research at Children's Health.
After Children's Health helped save their son's life, Josie and Carl Sewell established a Distinguished Master Physician Endowment in Pediatric Cardiology to support future generations of children with heart conditions.
A retired Children's Health nurse transformed decades of caring for one family into an endowment that will advance heart transplant research for generations to come.
Arriving in Texas with just a suitcase, Rose Anne found a community at Children's Health that helped shape her career, grow her family and inspire her commitment to future generations of patients.
From advancing technology behind the scenes to creating a lasting legacy through her estate plans, Shana Berger is committed to making life better for children for generations.
Decades after Children’s Health saved her son’s life, OriAnn Phillips never forgot the life-saving care Kace received. Her planned gift now honors his life and makes the impossible possible for the next generation of kids.
The Senior Director of Social Work at Children’s Health, Ben Retta commits to a lasting legacy, making life better for kids through the Bradford Legacy Society.
After their daughter was born with a congenital heart defect, Alice and Kevin Chou established endowments and made a pledge to support the future of Children’s Health.
“A lot of people my age are not thinking about wills or life insurance, but I live with the thought that today could be my last and where would I want the funds to go?” Sierra said.
A long-time supporter of Children’s Health and former nurse at Children’s Medical Center Dallas, Nancy Long has had a dedicated history with the institution as the daughter of the former president of Children’s Medical Center Dallas.
The Watsons established an endowment that will be used to attract, recruit and retain highly qualified physicians and allow them to pursue professional development and research.
Kylie and James Martin utilized their wedding as an opportunity to start an endowment for Children's Health - asking for donations in lieu of gifts to start their marriage.
As she exits her 10-year career at Children's Health, Phyllis Gilchrist's parting gift is a legacy donation that will continue to give back to the hospital long after her last day.
This spring, the Sanfords established a $100,000 endowment named Ceci’s Fund for Clinical Research to distribute annual funds to support clinical research and honor their daughter.
Volunteering with Child Life allows Tony to repay a bit of the care and comfort his family received before and after his six-month-old daughter passed away.
Robbie and Lynore Robinson
Grateful for the critical care their daughter received at Children’s Health, Robbie and Lynore committed a $1 million bequest in their wills to endow the Child Life department at Children's Medical Center Plano.
Arlton
“When God doesn’t give you children, he gives you the opportunities to help other children,” Arlton said.
When you become a member of our Bradford Legacy Society, you join a group of grateful, loyal and passionate donors like you who have chosen to make life better for children for generations to come.
GiftPlanning@childrens.com or 214-456-8360 with questions about legacy and gift planning. 
