
St. Jude offers assistance to relief effort in Haiti
As the entire world mobilizes to provide relief to the victims of the devastating earthquake that has struck the nation of Haiti, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital is coordinating with regional and international aid organizations to provide support for Haitian pediatric cancer patients and others with catastrophic diseases within our expertise.
In addition, through our International Outreach Program, our physicians will be available to consult on cases that may arrive at any hospital in the world, and we have offered to provide medicines and supplies as our resources allow.
"We have offered to assist in the most effective way we can," said Dr. William E. Evans, director and CEO of St. Jude. "We are moved by the suffering we have seen and, as an organization dedicated to the health of children, we want to do whatever we can to meaningfully assist. We certainly realize that disaster recovery is the first priority—but if children are found who would benefit from the specialized care we offer, we stand ready to help."
Richard C. Shadyac Jr., CEO of ALSAC, the fundraising organization for St. Jude, also expressed sympathy to the victims of the tragedy in Haiti. "The entire St. Jude family, including our donors and partners, are deeply saddened by what is occurring there. The Haitian people are our neighbors and as an institution dedicated to the well-being of children, we are determined to do what we can to mitigate the suffering taking place there."
When Hurricane Katrina struck the Gulf Coast in 2005, St. Jude provided treatment on an emergency basis to more than 100 children whose cancer treatment was disrupted by the disaster. St. Jude is prepared to provide similar support to the people of Haiti.
January 2010
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