Two Dallas nonprofit organizations have partnered to help North Texas children battling cancer. Carson Leslie Foundation and Grant Halliburton Foundation, neighboring tenants at Pegasus Park, are teaming up to deliver smiles to kids battling cancer and their caregivers at Children’s Health Children’s Medical Center Dallas.

This collaboration was made possible by a $25,000 grant program available to the 35 nonprofit tenants of Water Cooler at Pegasus Park to encourage impactful collaboration in the social sector. Through a competitive application process managed by Lyda Hill Philanthropies and The Dallas Foundation, collaborating tenants can apply for grants.

Both organizations, Carson Leslie Foundation and Grant Halliburton Foundation, are joining forces to align existing projects. Pediatric cancer patients at Children’s Health Children’s Medical Center Dallas receive the following:

• Each month Carson Leslie Foundation acts like the Tooth Fairy by delivering unexpected surprises to each child on the oncology floor at Children’s Health Children’s Medical Center Dallas. HEARTS of GOLD Hootenannies: CarsonLeslieFoundation.org/hootenannies-support

• A Hope Care Kit by Grant Halliburton Foundation are tote bags filled with mental health resources, self-care items, items to provide comfort and a note of encouragement to the recipient. Hope Care Kits: GrantHalliburton.org/hopecarekits

• A handmade lap quilt donated by Modern Quilt Guild of Dallas

Carson Leslie Foundation’s team of National Charity League, Mockingbird volunteers along with Grant Halliburton Foundation staff assembled unexpected surprises, which were distributed to Children’s Health Children’s Medical Center Dallas on January 23, 2024. The collaborative program will continue throughout 2024.

A 2019 study by Warmerdam found that family members of children with cancer experienced elevated rates of mental health-related doctor's visits for up to 20 years after the initial diagnosis. Mothers of children with cancer had a 40 percent higher rate of outpatient visits for mental health issues compared to the general population, while siblings had a 10 percent higher rate.

“Combatting the psychological effects is critical to helping children with cancer live normal lives now and in the future,” Annette Leslie, chief mission officer of Carson Leslie Foundation, said. “Similar to 'chemo brain' in adults, childhood cancer and its treatment may harm brain development, causing problems with attention, memory, and language, and leading to depression and anxiety. Our organizations have joined forces to provide much-needed mental health support to children with cancer and their families.”

By partnering, both organizations aim to provide surprises and mental health support to address the critical need for children battling cancer as they may also face depression, anxiety, or other mental health conditions. The collaboration further emphasizes the importance of these programs to support the mental health and well-being of children facing a cancer battle.

“Both of our organizations believe that positive change can be achieved through collective efforts and a commitment to compassion,” Kevin Hall, president of Grant Halliburton Foundation, said. “The powerful combination of our organizations encapsulates the spirit of unity we aim to instill within our collective Water Cooler community.”

 The Water Cooler at Pegasus Park, sponsored by Lyda Hill Philanthropies in partnership with J. Small Investments and Montgomery Street Partners and managed by The Dallas Foundation, was envisioned as a social impact hub with a mission to foster community and improve productivity. In line with this vision, the partnership between Carson Leslie Foundation and Grant Halliburton Foundation stands to positively impact local children battling cancer.

“We are thrilled to see Grant Halliburton Foundation and Carson Leslie Foundation partner together to accelerate their respective missions, which is exactly what the Water Cooler is all about,” Margaret Black, managing director of Lyda Hill Philanthropies, said.

By T.J. Griffin
Senior Director of Communications