Planned Giving at Children's Mercy Hospital Foundation

Dr. Katharine Berry Richardson

History

In the late 1800’s, two sisters, Katharine Berry Richardson and Alice Berry Graham, traveled west to Kansas City to practice medicine. They weren’t in town long before Katharine, a surgeon, and Alice, a dentist, were contacted by a saloon keeper in Kansas City’s west bottoms.

The saloon keeper had come across a crippled little girl who was abandoned at the nearby stockyards. He had heard that the Berry sisters might be willing to care for the girl in one of the spare bedrooms of their home. The sisters agreed to take the little girl and give her their “mercy-bed.” The year was 1897 and Children’s Mercy was born.

Time has not changed the legacy of the Berry sisters. Over a century later, Children’s Mercy Hospital continues to provide first-class care to all children, regardless of their family’s ability to pay.

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Membership

Those special friends who include The Children’s Mercy Hospital Foundation in their estate plans ensure the legacy of the Berry sisters for generations to come. The Children’s Legacy Society allows the Foundation to thank these special friends during their lifetimes.

There are no meetings to attend, nor dues to pay. All members are invited to an annual holiday gathering held in their honor, and are also invited to special functions held at Children’s Mercy. Member names are listed with permission on the Donor Wall located on the first floor of the hospital.

Become a Member

If you have made a planned gift to Children’s Mercy, then we welcome you to The Children’s Legacy Society! If you have not previously notified Children’s Mercy about this gift, then please click here to register a new membership.

Children's Mercy Hospital Foundation
Office of Planned Giving
2401 Gillham Road
Kansas City, MO 64108
(816) 346-1300 | Fax: (816) 346-1377
E-mail: wstephens@cmh.edu