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An initiative generously supported by The Crystal Charity Ball will help make it possible for patients in Dallas to focus on healing by ensuring their children are cared for during medical visits.
In this Article
For Christine Merritt, that support would change everything. She plans her cancer treatments the way other parents plan their workdays—around childcare.
A widowed mother of two, she juggles chemotherapy appointments, school schedules and the constant question of who will care for her children while she receives treatment.
“If drop-in childcare were available, I could just focus on what I need to do to get better,” Christine said. “Knowing they are safe and cared for while I receive treatment is priceless.”
Christine’s experience reflects an often-overlooked reality: access to healthcare often depends on childcare access. More than one in five women missed or delayed medical appointments because they lacked childcare, according to a 2025 report by the Journal of the American Medical Association.
At Baylor University Medical Center (BUMC), the impact of these barriers is felt by patients and caregivers alike. More than 6,600 BUMC patients live at or below the federal poverty line, and financial strain is common. National research shows 42% of cancer patients deplete their life savings within two years of diagnosis.
These challenges extend to frontline caregivers who support patients. When childcare falls through, missed shifts place strain on care teams and patient services.
“For many families navigating serious medical conditions, childcare can determine whether care is accessible at all,” said Kyle Armstrong, BUMC president.
“When that barrier is removed, families can focus on treatment and recovery knowing their children are safe and close by.”
A one-of-a-kind collaboration
A one-of-a-kind collaboration in Dallas is working to remove that barrier.
BUMC, Dallas College and The Meadows Foundation are creating an early childhood education and childcare center just steps from BUMC. Designed for children ages six weeks to four years old, the center will offer free drop-in care for patients during medical appointments—the only hospital-affiliated program of its kind in Dallas.
The center is projected to support nearly 12,000 drop-in childcare encounters annually, including more than 3,400 for low-income families. The center will also provide full-time, affordable childcare for healthcare workers.
Located in a facility provided rent-free by The Meadows Foundation, the center will operate as an early childhood education lab school run by Dallas College, providing trained educators while preparing future early childhood professionals. BUMC will provide annual operational support and connect families to the service through care teams and clinic navigation.
The Crystal Charity Ball recently selected the project as a beneficiary, providing $1.2 million to Baylor Scott & White Dallas Foundation to support capital renovations needed to bring this center to life.
“We are deeply grateful to Crystal Charity Ball for recognizing both the urgency and the long-term impact of this work,” Kyle said. “Their generosity makes it possible to build a sustainable model—one that supports patients, families and caregivers today while strengthening our community for years to come.”
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