Celebrating 20 years of hope — “Curing Kids Cancer” gifts children’s hospital with $5 million endowment
COLUMBIA, SC (WOLO) — Wednesday morning, the local nonprofit “Curing Kids Cancer” announced a $5 million endowment gift to Prisma Health Children’s Hospital.
The good news comes as the organization celebrates its 20th anniversary.
“Curing Kids Cancer” began in 2005, after Grainne and Clay Owen lost their nine year old son, Killian, to leukemia.
“I started this charity sitting at my kitchen table, and honestly if you had told me then we’d be standing here today — having raised $33 million and being able to donate $5 million as an endowment with Killian’s name on it — I would say you’re absolutely crazy,” says Grainne.
The endowment will be known as “Killian’s hope for a United South Carolina.”
“When we lost Killian, it was obviously not what we wanted to happen. It was devastating. But I knew he wouldn’t want me to dwell on the bad parts, he would want me to get up there and do something because the only thing that upset that child was me crying. So I’m crying happy tears today,” says Grainne.
The Owens say the gift will help fund research efforts at the hospital and at the University of South Carolina’s School of Pharmacy — ensuring children with cancer receive the best care and treatment available by providing them access to innovative therapies.
Like four year old Blyth Lyons.
“He just turned four in July, and to look at him you would never even know he had went through the treatment and diagnosis he’s gone through. He’s a typical four-year-old boy that doesn’t stop,” says his mom Brittany Lyons.
And four-year-old Asher Woodall.
“‘Curing Kids Cancer’ along with the Prisma (Health) Children’s Hospital have been angels on Earth for us in what can only be described as an extremely tumultuous time. They have been our rock. They’re so passionate about helping these kids and these families navigate through all this, you know, we were lost at first, and they helped find us,” says Josh Woodall, Asher’s dad.
One word consistently showed up by families involved — hope.
“It gives us hope. It means that someone is in your corner and they’re fighting to try and help families just like ours,” says Brittany.
“Honestly it just means hope. Hope for families like us in a place you never thought you would be. It’s just a blessing that our community is strong and when you need them the most they’re always there for you,” says Savannah Woodall, Asher’s mom.
“And what I want to do with this endowment is give every child that walks through that door, the hope that they will survive. And “Curing Kids Cancer” is what we are doing,” says Grainne.
