Shanghai Children’s Medical Center Partners with Project HOPE and Hospira to Advance the Treatment of Childhood Cancer

New SCMC Oncology Tower to address growing demand for childhood cancer services in China

30 November 2010 – Shanghai, China – Childhood cancer is on the rise in China with an estimated 45,000 new cases diagnosed each year. More than 14,000 children received care for cancer at the Shanghai Children’s Medical Center (SCMC) last year. To address the growing medical demands for pediatric cancer services, SCMC broke ground today for a new seven-story oncology building.

Officials from the Shanghai Municipal Government, SCMC, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Project HOPE and Hospira, a global specialty pharmaceutical and medication delivery company, attended the ground-breaking event for the 148-bed Oncology Tower that is scheduled for completion in 2012.

“Just as the Cardiology Tower provided more resources to care for children with heart defects, the new Oncology Tower will advance SCMC’s position in cancer research and clinical care, as well as carry out one of the hospital’s key missions to become a leader in caring for children with cancer,” said Dr. Jinfen Liu, Director of Shanghai Children’s Medical Center.

The Department of Hematology and Oncology at SCMC specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of pediatric leukemia, solid tumors and hematological disorders. Although SCMC has become one of the largest and highest quality pediatric cancer treatment centers in Asia, the demand for care and treatment far outstrips its current capacity.

Through a $1 million USD grant from the Hospira Foundation, Project HOPE will create and implement the following initiatives to support the development of the pediatric oncology program at SCMC:

• Professional training in immunology and genetic and molecular biology to support research and advanced clinical care.
• The development of a palliative care program with a focus on cancer symptom management to promote physical and psychological wellbeing and comfort for children with cancer.
• The creation of an integrated social service network that will include psychological consultation and parental support.

“Hospira is honored to partner with SCMC and Project HOPE to advance the treatment of childhood cancer in China. In addition to raising the overall standard of care through new research and education, this pioneering program will help empower patient families and, most importantly, provide hope and encouragement for children who are undergoing cancer treatment,” said Dr. Tim Oldham, President, Asia Pacific, Hospira.

A long-time SCMC partner, Project HOPE has implemented a variety of health professional education programs at SCMC from pediatric cardiac surgery training to the development of a countrywide rural health fellows training program.

“Since SCMC opened in 1998, Project HOPE and its partners, like Hospira, have been able to make significant contributions to the improvement of children’s health in China,” said Stuart Myers, Senior Vice President of Global Health at Project HOPE. “With Hospira’s support, Project HOPE will ensure that the new SCMC Oncology Tower and its programs becomes a model of effective and compassionate care for children with cancer throughout China.”

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Hospira and the Hospira Foundation

The Hospira Foundation, a not-for-profit corporation established in 2004, helps improve health and wellness in communities in need around the world. The Foundation is the philanthropic arm of Hospira, Inc., a global specialty pharmaceutical and medication delivery company with approximately 13,500 employees. Since Hospira’s launch in 2004, Hospira, its employees and the Hospira Foundation have given more than $70 million USD in monetary and product donations to support the global community. For more information about Hospira and the Foundation, visit www.hospira.com.

Project HOPE

Founded in 1958, Project HOPE (Health Opportunities for People Everywhere) is dedicated to providing lasting solutions to health problems with the mission of helping people to help themselves. Identifiable to many by the SS HOPE, the world’s first peacetime hospital ship, Project HOPE now provides medical training and health education, as well as conducts humanitarian assistance programs in more than 35 countries.