More than 20 pediatric oncology caregivers celebrated survivorship and their commitment to caring for children with cancer at Kinder Children's Cancer Center
HOUSTON (Oct. 14, 2026) — More than 20 childhood cancer survivors who now care for children with cancer at Kinder Children's Cancer Center, a joint venture of UT MD Anderson and Texas Children’s, came together for a first-of-its-kind ceremony, ringing the bell that marks treatment completion. This moving milestone, now commonly celebrated by cancer patients, was something many of these survivors did not have the opportunity to experience during their own cancer journeys.
Now serving as nurses, physicians and other members of the pediatric oncology care team, these survivors have dedicated their careers to caring for children and families facing cancer. Their experiences as former childhood cancer patients shape the care they provide each day and offer a unique perspective on the patients and families they serve.
During the ceremony, participants rang the ceremonial treatment completion bell together and shared personal stories of survivorship, including what inspired them to pursue careers in pediatric oncology.
“Ringing the bell felt surreal,” said Courtney Pette, M.D., lymphoma survivor and co-chief fellow. “More than 15 years after finishing treatment, it gave me a chance to reflect on how far I've come and on the incredible progress we're making together at Kinder Children’s Cancer Center. It's a reminder of what's possible for the children and families we care for every day.”
Houston philanthropists and cancer center namesakes, Rich and Nancy Kinder, whose support helped make Kinder Children's Cancer Center possible attended the event. They joined caregivers, patients, families and supporters in recognizing the survivors and their contributions to pediatric cancer care.
“Nancy and I were deeply touched by this celebration,” said Rich Kinder, chairman, Kinder Foundation®. “Watching these survivors ring the bell and seeing how they have transformed their own cancer journeys into lives of service powerfully reflects the mission of Kinder Children’s Cancer Center. They bring unmatched perspective, purpose and hope to the children and families they now serve—and remind us what is possible when exceptional care, innovation and an unwavering commitment to ending childhood cancer come together.”
Recent pediatric cancer survivor, 10-year-old Fitz Davis, delivered celebratory remarks, reflecting on the significance of ringing the bell and the hope it represents for children and families navigating cancer treatment today.
“I think it’s really cool that we’re all standing around the same bell,” said Davis. “The bell I rang and the bell they finally got to ring, too.”
“For many of these survivors, ringing a bell to mark the end of treatment wasn't part of their childhood cancer experience. Today, they had the opportunity to celebrate that milestone together, surrounded by colleagues who share a deep understanding of the cancer journey," said ZoAnn Dreyer, M.D., Clinical Director of the Long-Term Survivor Program. “Watching former patients return as nurses, physicians, researchers and caregivers is a powerful reminder of why long-term survivorship care matters and of the extraordinary resilience of children with cancer.”
The bell-ringing ceremony took place during Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, observed each September to honor children and families affected by cancer and raise awareness of the need for continued advances in pediatric cancer research and care.
Kinder Children’s Cancer Center brings together the collective scale and expertise of the nation’s top cancer center with one of the nation’s top pediatric cancer centers and the largest comprehensive pediatric health system to establish a new model for addressing childhood cancer, including groundbreaking research, accelerated drug development and innovative clinical trials.
Planning currently is underway for the future home of Kinder Children’s Cancer Center. The facility is projected to include inpatient beds, ambulatory clinics, state-of-the-art research labs and a sky bridge connecting the center to Texas Children’s. The facility will be purposefully designed and built with children and families in mind, offering specialized oncology care in a healing environment.
About Kinder Children’s Cancer Center
Kinder Children's Cancer Center is a joint venture of UT MD Anderson and Texas Children's. Established through a historic gift from Kinder Foundation®, the center aims to be the nation’s largest and most comprehensive cancer center focused exclusively on children. Kinder Children’s Cancer Center brings together the collective scale and expertise of the nation’s top cancer center with one of the nation’s top pediatric cancer centers and the largest comprehensive pediatric health system to accelerate discoveries, expand access to clinical trials and develop new therapies for children and adolescents with cancer. By integrating patient care, research, education and treatment, Kinder Children's Cancer Center is working to end childhood cancer.
UT MD Anderson Press Contact
Clayton Boldt
Phone: 713-792-9518
CRBoldt@MDAnderson.org
Texas Children's Press Contact
Kelley Murfin
Phone: 832-824-0966
KPMurfin@TexasChildrens.org