OUR history

In January of 2010 McKenah was born prematurely at 29 weeks gestation. Shortly after birth she developed an infection that destroyed her entire intestine. She was completely dependent on intravenous nutrition to survive. 

McKenah was transferred to the care of Dr. Nichol, an expert in Short Bowel Syndrome at the American Family Children's Hospital in Madison.

Four days after transfer of care, McKenah is fostered by her neonatal nurse (Kris) and her family of three children. They eventually adopt McKenah and provide a loving, enriching environment for her.

Due to Kris's expertise as a neonatal nurse, they are able to keep complications from intravenous nutrition to a minimum for the next three years.

(April 2013) In spite of Kris's expert care and that of AFCH, McKenah succumbs to liver failure, a common and at that time unpreventable complication of intravenous nutrition.

(December 2013) Kris and her husband Jeff make an appointment to see Dr. Nichol. They present him with a series of checks given to Jeff by his co-workers who implore Jeff to start a foundation in honor of McKenah.

(April 2014) A group of automobile enthusiasts are assembled by Dr. Nichol and work is started on forming an organization that will go on to be called Cars Curing Kids (CCK).

(June 2015) CCK holds its first event at RVM Classics in Madison.

From research, to equipment and technology, to supporting families during pediatric treatments, Cars Curing Kids is committed to funding and supporting causes that improve health outcomes in the lives of children in southern Wisconsin. Comprised of automotive enthusiasts passionate about children’s health care, Cars Curing Kids raises funds through automotive centric events that share our love and joy of cars with children and adults alike. Funds raised are committed directly to combating childhood disease and healthcare challenges. Our goal is to make an immediate impact by fueling kids healthcare research now.