11/18/08

KU Department of Pediatrics Receives $12,600

KANSAS CITY, Kan. — The University of Kansas Medical Center’s Department of Pediatrics received a $12,600 gift today from the Kirse family and the Shawnee Mission/Kansas City Delta Delta Delta Alumnae Association.

The check was presented to Dr. Chet Johnson, department chair. It will benefit pediatric patients who have chronic medical conditions and will provide support for the neonatal intensive care unit. The funds were raised during the recent Chance for Children 5K Run/Walk and the Molly and Matthew Kirse Memorial Kids’ Fun Run, sponsored by the Kirse family and Delta Delta Delta.

John and Jennifer Kirse dedicated themselves to raising money for pediatric medical research after losing two children. Their daughter, Molly, died in 1990 from Sudden Infant Death Syndrome, and their son, Matthew, died in 1991 from complications of Potter syndrome, a condition that affects kidney and lung development. The couple, who since have become the parents of two more sons, Nick and Ben, sponsored the Kirse Memorial Golf Tournament for 10 years.

Through Chance for Children, the Kirse family and Delta Delta Delta have raised more than $31,000 for KU Medical Center’s Department of Pediatrics. The alumnae association also founded the Delta Room, a comfortable space at KU where families can spend time together during hospital visits.

The gift will be managed by KU Endowment, the independent, nonprofit organization serving as the official fundraising and fund-management organization for KU. Founded in 1891, KU Endowment is the first foundation of its kind at a U.S. public university.

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