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Kevin and Greta Warren Family Foundation Announces $1 Million Gift to Lurie Children’s

January 05, 2024

Elevating Support For Families Faced with Pediatric Cancer and Serious Blood Disorders in Chicago

Kevin Warren, Chicago Bears President and CEO, and his wife, Greta Warren, announce today the Kevin and Greta Warren Family Foundation’s $1 million pledge to Lurie Children’s Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders. Recognizing the multifaceted nature of caring for patients with pediatric cancer and serious blood disorders, the Warren family's philanthropy emphasizes the importance of providing comprehensive support beyond medical treatments.

A significant portion of the donation will be allocated to initiatives that directly assist families in managing the logistical and financial burdens associated with their child's treatment journey. The gift will aim to alleviate the day-to-day financial challenges, so that families and caregivers can devote their attention to their child’s care.

“Families dealing with a cancer or a serious blood disease diagnosis for their child will always need support to ease the severe financial burdens. Our family looks forward to a long term and collaborative relationship between Lurie Children’s and the Warren Family Foundation. The city of Chicago is our home and we are committed to making this incredible city a better place for children and families fighting the challenges of childhood cancer and other serious illness. We are grateful to God for Lurie Children’s,” said Kevin and Greta Warren.

The donation will play a crucial role in expanding resources for transportation assistance, accommodations, and other day-to-day needs, allowing families to focus on what matters most – the well-being of their child. Lurie Children's, renowned for its excellence in pediatric care, will leverage this contribution to strengthen its commitment to holistic support for families throughout their journey with cancer.

"We believe that by addressing the practical challenges faced by families with children diagnosed with cancer or a blood disorder such as sickle cell that we can make a meaningful impact on the overall well-being of patients. This donation reflects our dedication to ensuring that no family faces these hurdles alone," said Susan Ruohonen, Senior Director of Family Services at Lurie Children’s.

The gift honors Mr. Warren’s late sister Carolyn Elaine Warren-Knox’s legacy. Ms. Warren-Knox passed away in 2014 from brain cancer and shared her last wish with her brother to support families faced with cancer. “Do what you can to make their lives easier,” she said. In 2014, Kevin and Greta Warren established Carolyn’s Comforts - Patients and Families Assistance Fund - at M Health Fairview Masonic Children's Hospital with a similar gift to support families managing the financial difficulties that come with a cancer diagnosis.

“We are extremely grateful for the Kevin and Greta Warren Family Foundation’s contribution. The gift underscores our collective recognition of the need to support our families so that we can make an impact not only on medical outcomes but also on quality of life for children and their loved ones affected by cancer and serious blood disorders,” said Robert Liem, MD, Head of Division of Hematology, Oncology, Neuro-Oncology and Stem Cell Transplantation at Lurie Children’s and the Meryl Suzanne Weiss Distinguished Professorship in Hematology, Oncology & Stem Cell Transplantation.

This gift furthers Lurie Children’s Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders commitment to care for each patient’s physical, emotional and social needs in a kid-friendly environment. The Center believes in family-centered care, involving the whole family in a treatment plan.

About Lurie Children’s Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders

The Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders at Lurie Children’s treats more children with cancer and blood disorders than any other hospital in Illinois. Although cancer is rare in children, we treat 220 new patients each year for a wide range of childhood cancers. The center is nationally-ranked by U.S. News & World Report for pediatric oncology. We also have the region’s most complete array of programs and services for children with blood disorders such as hemoglobin disorders, hemophiliathrombophilia and sickle cell disease.