PITTSBURGH — October 4, 2022 — For those diagnosed with pediatric cancer, the road to a cure is bumpy. It comes with detours, long hospital stays, and uncertainty. Now, thanks to the incredible generosity of the Mario Lemieux Foundation, the future for these brave patients has a new source of hope.
Today, the Mario Lemieux Foundation announced a transformational gift of $5 million to UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh. This gift, along with matching funds from UPMC and UPMC Children’s Hospital Foundation will establish the Mario Lemieux Institute for Pediatric Cancer Research at UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh.
Under the leadership of Linda McAllister-Lucas, M.D., Ph.D., chief of the Division of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology at UPMC Children’s, the Lemieux Institute will push the frontier of childhood cancer research.
“There is still much work to be done to save every child who has cancer, and research is the only way to get there,” said Dr. McAllister-Lucas.
The UMPC Children’s Division of Hematology/Oncology is recognized among the very best in the nation for this pediatric specialty. Each year, Children’s serves more than 200 newly diagnosed hematology patients and has the privilege of engaging over 1,000 additional patients through a robust Cancer Survivorship program.
Over the last 20 years, the Mario Lemieux Foundation has been a staunch supporter of UPMC Children’s, continuing to join the fight against pediatric cancer.
“I am fortunate to be a survivor of cancer, but so many families are fighting the battle each and every day,” said Mario Lemieux. “We need innovative treatments to cure more children and we hope that this Institute will be a catalyst for many more breakthroughs in cancer research.”
Our fight is far from over. Join with us to find the cure for pediatric cancer. Donate today and help us create the futures that all children deserve.
