About Vannie E. Cook Jr.
The man whose vision and generosity shaped cancer care in South Texas for generations.
A kind man with a philanthropic spirit, Mr. Cook would most certainly be proud of the children's oncology and hematology clinic which bears his name.
Mr. Vannie E. Cook Jr. grew up in McAllen, Texas and was a prominent businessman and rancher who owned the Coca Cola Bottling Company in McAllen. His entrepreneurial spirit and deep roots in the Rio Grande Valley made him a pillar of the community.
Mr. Cook loved the outdoor life and was devoted to game and nature conservation — values that reflected his reverence for the land and the world around him.
He was extremely active in the community and in what was once the Rio Grande Valley Radiation and Cancer Treatment Center, which eventually became the Vannie E. Cook Jr. Cancer Foundation. His leadership and philanthropy were instrumental in bringing cancer care to a region long underserved by the medical establishment.
He was married to Carolyn Vance and had four children.
Mr. Cook's daughter, Kathy Collins, lives in McAllen and serves as Chair of the Board — carrying forward her father's legacy of service and compassion.
The Vannie E. Cook Jr. Children's Cancer and Hematology Clinic
Named in his honor and opened in 2001 through a landmark partnership with Texas Children's Hospital and Baylor College of Medicine, the clinic is his enduring gift to the children of the Rio Grande Valley — a promise that no family will ever be turned away due to inability to pay.
Carry the Mission Forward
Mr. Cook's generosity lives on through every child treated at the clinic that bears his name. Your support ensures that legacy continues for generations to come.