Best in show

Cook Children's young philanthropist, Hudson Garcia In July 2023, Hudson Garcia presented a check for $650 to our Hematology and Oncology Center

For Hudson, giving to Cook Children’s is personal

Hudson Garcia is no stranger to Cook Children’s Hematology and Oncology Center. As a patient sibling, he has walked the halls of our Fort Worth medical center since the age of 2, when his sister was born.

“He’s grown up here,” said Hudson’s dad, Alex. “The thing that really affected him was his experiences on the Hematology and Oncology floor because his sister goes there for the infusion center. I think it just really left a place in his heart.”

At 9 years old, Hudson entered the county stock show in his hometown of Brownwood, Texas. Traditionally, kids who enter the show give a gift basket to the buyer of their animal, but when the COVID-19 pandemic hit, many kids began donating to local charities instead. When a local buyer purchased Hudson’s pig, he knew exactly where he wanted to make his donation.

“Other people were donating at the auction, and they were making public announcements saying they would donate to fire stations or police departments. I thought, ‘I can donate to Cook Children’s for everything they’ve done for my sister,’” Hudson said.

“When they announced that Hudson’s donation was going to the Cook Children’s Hematology and

Oncology department to help fight childhood cancer and blood disorders, the whole place just erupted. People were cheering,” Alex said.

That year, Hudson made a $100 donation to Cook Children’s Hematology and Oncology Center. Unfortunately, his pig didn’t place high enough for the stock show in 2022, but in 2023, Hudson was determined to re-enter and donate a percentage of his proceeds.

In July 2023, Hudson and his family visited our Fort Worth medical center to present a check for $650 to Cook Children’s Hematology and Oncology Center. He plans to continue fundraising through stock shows and even wants to encourage other kids to do the same through his program, Hudson’s Grand Drive.

“I feel like giving back is important because even though there’s no cure for my sister, I want this money to go to other kids and their disorders,” Hudson said. “I want it to go toward helping other kids.”