Cancerwise

Ethan Perry was an outgoing kid with a big personality. He enjoyed playing sports, creating inventions and playing violin in his middle school orchestra.

“Ethan was outgoing, funny, curious and always kind. He was an extrovert and always volunteering to help someone,” says his mother, Angie Perry. “Anytime we’d go anywhere in the neighborhood, we’d hear, ‘Hi, Ethan.’ Everyone knew him. He spread kindness wherever he went.”

Ethan had just turned 12 when he was diagnosed with a rare cancer called T-cell lymphoblastic lymphoma in the summer of 2020. He passed away eight months later.

Hope for families like the Perrys

Last May, Angie and her husband, Brian, were excited to learn about the launch of Kinder Children’s Cancer Center, a joint venture of UT MD Anderson and Texas Children’s focused on ending childhood cancer.

Made possible by a $150 million gift from Kinder Foundation, Kinder Children’s Cancer Center will be the largest and most comprehensive cancer center in the country focused solely on children just like Ethan when it opens in spring 2026.

“It gives families like mine real hope,” says Brian, who now knows firsthand how different childhood cancer is from adult cancer.   

A caring team

Ethan started treatment at another Houston hospital. After the cancer relapsed, Ethan was transferred to MD Anderson, where he continued treatment under the care of pediatric lymphoma specialist Branko Cuglievan, M.D., and a multidisciplinary team of specialists.

“From day one, the love and care we received was unbelievable,” says Brian. “We met families from all over who’d come to MD Anderson for treatment. It reinforced that we were in the right place.”

Turning pain into purpose

Ethan faced cancer with bravery.

“When he was first diagnosed, he said, ‘I am going to do what I can to fight this,’” says Angie. “He fought with all his might until the very end. And we were with him every step of the way.”

After Ethan’s passing, his family founded Ethan’s Ohana, a nonprofit that supports kids and families facing cancer. One of their projects is donating Rubik’s cubes to children’s hospitals, including MD Anderson. It’s an homage to Ethan.

A child life specialist gave Ethan a Rubik’s cube in the hospital, and he was able to solve it within a few hours. After that, Rubik’s cubes became something fun that Ethan could focus on while helping his hand-eye coordination.   

Brian and Angie also joined the Supportive Care Council, made up of parents who have lost children to cancer, as well as MD Anderson’s Children’s Cancer Hospital faculty and staff.

“Supporting other families is how we turn our pain into purpose,” says Brian. “We don’t want anyone to experience losing a child.”

Hope for the future of childhood cancer

The Perrys believe Kinder Children’s Cancer Center will also give families more treatment options, better access to clinical trials and accelerate drug discovery. It will also provide kids like Ethan the specialized care they need in a space designed just for them.

“Combining the knowledge and expertise of the top cancer center in the nation and the largest pediatric hospital in the country into a dedicated center focused entirely on kids will benefit patients and families – not just in Houston, but all over the country,” says Brian.

The Perrys plan to support Kinder Children’s Cancer Center in any way they can.

“We want a cure for T-cell lymphoblastic lymphoma and other childhood cancers, so other families don’t have to experience what we’ve been through,” says Angie. “We believe Kinder Children’s Cancer Center will change how childhood cancer is treated. That will provide hope to patients and families everywhere.”  

Learn more about Kinder Children’s Cancer Center.