Robert R. and Kay M. Onstead Foundation commits $10 million to support Kinder Children’s Cancer Center

Gift supports capital projects and will be recognized with a named space in the future facility

HOUSTON, SEPTEMBER 9, 2026 ― The Robert R. and Kay M. Onstead Foundation has announced a $10 million commitment to support Kinder Children’s Cancer Center, a joint venture of UT MD Anderson and Texas Children’s. The gift supports capital projects for Kinder Children’s Cancer Center, further advancing the center’s single mission: to end childhood cancer. 

Established in May 2025 with a transformational $150 million commitment from Kinder Foundation®, Kinder Children’s Cancer Center aims to be the nation’s largest and most comprehensive cancer center focused exclusively on children. The Onstead Foundation’s gift provides critical support to this mission, helping the center to improve outcomes and quality of life for pediatric patients and their families.

“We extend our deep gratitude to The Robert R. and Kay M. Onstead Foundation and the Onstead family for their extraordinary generosity,” said Jeffrey E. Lee, M.D., interim president of UT MD Anderson. “Support like this accelerates our ability to bring together the best minds in pediatric oncology, to expand access to innovative therapies and to create a place where children and families receive the most advanced, compassionate care possible.” 

In recognition of this generosity, a designated space within the new Kinder Children’s Cancer Center facility – to be located on the 6700 block of Main Street in the Texas Medical Center – will be named in honor of The Robert R. and Kay M. Onstead Foundation. 

“We are deeply grateful to the Robert R. and Kay M. Onstead Foundation for this generous investment in the future of our collaboration to end childhood cancer,” said Debra F. Sukin, Ph.D., president and CEO of Texas Children’s. “The Onstead family’s gift will help accelerate our vision for Kinder Children's Cancer Center as a first-of-its-kind destination that advances groundbreaking discoveries, expands access to innovative therapies and creates an environment where children and families find exceptional care, support and hope.”

The Onstead Foundation stewards and supports worthy causes in the legacy of philanthropy shared by Robert R. “Bob” Onstead and Kay M. Onstead. Bob, founder and longtime chairman of the Houston-based Randalls grocery store chain, was a dedicated member of UT MD Anderson’s Board of Visitors (BOV) during his lifetime and served as BOV chair from 1997-1999, while Kay remains a current BOV member. Mary Onstead, trustee of the Onstead Foundation and daughter of Kay Onstead, will join as a BOV member this year.

“Children facing cancer deserve every possible advantage, from access to innovative treatments to the support systems that help families navigate a challenging journey,” said Mary Onstead. “The Onstead family is proud to support Kinder Children’s Cancer Center and UT MD Anderson’s commitment to the vision of working collaboratively with Texas Children’s to redefine what is possible in pediatric cancer care and research.”

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 is now 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.