Kim's Place celebrates memory of beloved athlete

The legacy of the late Kim Perrot, starting point guard for the Women’s National Basketball Association’s Houston Comets, lives on through Kim’s Place, a teen and young adult recreational lounge at MD Anderson Children’s Cancer Hospital. After several months of construction, the facility reopened this year with a rededication ceremony and celebration, 20 years after Perrot died of lung cancer that metastasized to her brain.

Perrot’s closest family and friends, including her sister, Loretta Perrot; mother, Consuella Perrot; former Comets Coach Van Chancellor; and former Comets teammates Cynthia Cooper and Sheryl Swoopes, joined MD Anderson faculty and staff, patients and families for the Jan. 18 ceremony.

“Kim’s Place is where our adolescent and young adult patients can take their mind off of treatment while relaxing, playing games and socializing with other patients,” says Nicole Rosburg, manager of Child Life Services at MD Anderson. “We are proud to celebrate the new look of Kim’s Place with our patients and families, and with our visionary’s family and friends.”

Kim’s Place was built 15 years ago with a contribution from the Comets and the Houston Rockets, through The Clutch City Foundation, which worked with MD Anderson to fulfill the athlete’s vision of a place for adolescents and young adults. The newly designed space includes a big screen television that airs Perrot’s games, a karaoke machine, an air-hockey table, Guitar Hero, basketball hoops and a Perrot legacy wall. It’s the favorite hangout and meeting place for imPACT, an advisory council made up of MD Anderson teen patients and cancer survivors ages 13-18.

The event took place on what would have been Perrot’s 52nd birthday. Prior to her cancer diagnosis and treatment at MD Anderson, Perrot helped lead the Comets to win two WNBA championships. She was an inspiration to her team and to other patients at the cancer hospital.

“I feel like I owe so much to Kim. I don’t think we would have won as many championships without her,” says Chancellor. “I am honored to celebrate her legacy.”

Chancellor, Cooper and Swoopes toured the area, opposite The Park on the second floor of Alkek Hospital, and signed autographs, took photos with patients and families, and even shot some hoops. Guests enjoyed food, music and a photo booth.

“I am overwhelmed with so many emotions, seeing the beautiful facility with memories of Kim everywhere,” says Loretta Perrot, Kim’s sister and founder of the Kim Perrot Vision of Life Foundation. “My sister was a team player on and off the court. Kim’s Place is exactly what she envisioned.”