The Child Abuse Neglect Program and the Autism Center each stand to lose $500,000 in funding because of state budget cuts.

Thursday, Goure’s granddaugher Emilee Spencer appeared with Stoops at the State Capitol for the Children’s Hospital Foundation’s legislative luncheon, where both implored lawmakers to maintain funding.

Several years ago, Goure’s niece Hayley Fischer was in the Children’s Hospital and dying of cancer when Stoops and his family visited her on Christmas morning.

“I think we should be doing anything and everything to help children in every possible way,” Stoops said. “I like to visit the Children’s Hospital on a quite frequent basis. They do a fabulous job. … I’m really trying to represent all the children I visit at the OU Medical Center.

“It’s important that we continue to try and assist and help so that all the programs are at an elite level.”

Spencer, a 12-year old from Moore, nearly lost her foot and was sent into kidney failure after an ATV accident. She spent several weeks at Children’s Hospital, undergoing more than a dozen surgeries and lots of tough rehabilitation over the past year, and has now regained use of her foot.

“Emilee is a very sweet young lady,” Stoops said. “It’s an example of the great care kids get when they come to the OU Medical Center. We just need to continue to do all we can to help all the different programs that they have that really benefit these children.”