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Built for Kids

Built for Kids

Help Light the Way for Kids

One in five young people in the U.S. have a mental health disorder, and in Kansas City over 40 percent of those kids don’t get the help they need. That’s why Children’s Mercy launched Illuminate, a 5-year, $275 million plan, to address this youth mental health crisis through early intervention, equitable access, expanded services and research. We need your help. Learn how you can help light the path forward.

A young girl rides in a small car designed to look like an ambulance. Text reads: Dream Big Family Fest + Walk.

Join Dream Big Day

The largest family-friendly fundraiser of the year is almost here! Join us and raise funds to bring hope and answers to patients and their families.

Learn more
An Asian teen boy in a gray hoodie in front of a blurred background

Speak up to prevent suicide

Sometimes, it’s hard to raise the topic of suicide with our kids and teens. But studies show that talking to them about suicide and providing support is helpful, especially for someone in crisis.

Need some advice on how to start that conversation, or where to go for help? Our Suicide Prevention Toolkit has simple, straightforward information for families. You can also call, text or chat 988 at any time to get help for yourself or someone else.

See the toolkit
Mayia sitting, wearing light blue dress smiling with two bows in hair

Ganglioglioma: New Drugs Provide Solutions and Challenges

Mayia is a vibrant and determined 6-year-old who loves outdoor adventures and creative projects. When she was 4, a sudden change in her hand use led to the discovery of a brain tumor at Children’s Mercy Kansas City. Despite the challenges, Mayia’s resilience and the dedicated care from her medical team have been pivotal in her ongoing treatment journey.

Meet Mayia
Dr. Carol Saunders, Preeti Thakor, Julie Joyce, and Dr. John Herriges, members of the Children's Mercy Clinical Genetics and Genomics Laboratory Team

Optical Genome Mapping: Technology + expertise = results

Kids with cancer and other blood disorders have better diagnosis and treatment options thanks to a new genomic analysis technology called Optical Genome Mapping (OGM). We are excited to be the first pediatric hospital in the country to use this tool in the clinical environment. OGM uses technology to scan and mark the genome for structural and copy number changes, which are often the red flags that help doctors diagnose diseases.

Learn more about OGM