Texas Children's Cancer Center announces naming of clinic in honor of Lester and Sue Smith

HOUSTON - (Sept. 27, 2012) - In honor of one local couple's unparalleled dedication and the extraordinary initiatives they have spearheaded to help find cures for pediatric cancers, Texas Children's Hospital announced the naming of its Cancer Center outpatient clinic as the Lester and Sue Smith Clinic at Texas Children's Cancer Center. The clinic is the largest pediatric cancer clinic in the nation.

"We are deeply appreciative of Lester's and Sue's remarkable efforts to help advance research and care for children with cancer," said Dr. David Poplack, director of Texas Children's Cancer Center. "Few have had a more transformational impact on research that seeks a cure for pediatric cancers, and with their help, Texas Children's Cancer Center will continue to lead the way in research and care of childhood cancer."

Lester Smith, a two-time cancer survivor and author of the book You Gotta Dance Like No One's Watching, and his wife, Sue, are well-known Texas philanthropists and national ballroom dancing champions.

Most recently, over the course of two fundraising events, the Smiths helped generate more than $41 million in donations to Texas Children's Cancer Center, with more than $21 million directly donated by The Lester and Sue Smith Foundation. The 2011 Evening with a Legend event honored actor Robert Duvall and showcased a live, on-stage interview by CBS veteran news anchor Bob Schieffer. In February 2012, the Evening with Disco Legends event featured performances by disco greats Gloria Gaynor, The Pointer Sisters and Nile Rodgers and drew over 1,100 supporters. This event was the largest single-evening fundraiser in Houston's history and by underwriting the 2012 event the Smiths enabled 100 percent of the proceeds to directly fund research at Texas Children's Cancer Center.

More children with cancer are treated at Texas Children's Cancer Center than any other center in the nation. Patients from 35 states and 26 countries come to Texas Children's to receive the most advanced treatments, many of which are unavailable elsewhere. For more information about Texas Children's Cancer Center please visit www.txch.org.

About Texas Children’s Hospital

Texas Children’s Hospital, a not-for-profit health care organization, is committed to creating a healthier future for children and women throughout the global community by leading in patient care, education and research. Consistently ranked as the best children’s hospital in Texas, and among the top in the nation, Texas Children’s has garnered widespread recognition for its expertise and breakthroughs in pediatric and women’s health. The hospital includes the Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute; the Feigin Center for pediatric research; Texas Children’s Pavilion for Women, a comprehensive obstetrics/gynecology facility focusing on high-risk births; Texas Children’s Hospital West Campus, a community hospital in suburban West Houston; and Texas Children’s Hospital The Woodlands, a second community hospital planned to open in 2017. The organization also created the nation’s first HMO for children, has the largest pediatric primary care network in the country and a global health program that’s channeling care to children and women all over the world. Texas Children’s Hospital is affiliated with Baylor College of Medicine. For more information, go to www.texaschildrens.org. Get the latest news by visiting the online newsroom and Twitter at twitter.com/texaschildrens.