Children's Cancer Hospital

Our clubs have contributed a state of the arts Operating Room, 6 chemo-therapy treatment rooms, a fully equipped waiting room, 2 outpatient clinics as well as medical equipment as specified by the hospital administration.
Handing the check to the hospital is not our last association with this national project but rather the beginning of a long road of cooperation and more giving. We believe that visiting the patients and helping them through organized activities such as pantomimes, songs, short skits, entertainment by famous singers and actors, reading children’s stories or any such activity deemed fit by our members and the hospital staff, will put a smile on many of the children’s faces. Giving of ourselves and our time will be a true gift to these children who are all OUR CHILDREN.

Hospital 57357 Vision Statement

The vision of the Children’s Cancer Hospital 57357 is to contribute significantly to creating a world in which all forms of childhood cancer are at least discovered early enough to be cured or at best eradicated.

Hospital 57357 Mission Statement

The mission of the Children’s Cancer Hospital 57357 is to provide children with cancer and their families regardless of race, belief or ability to pay, the following:

* A hospital that will meet international standards of healthcare for children with cancer.
* Effective and holistic treatment systems encompassing programs for cancer prevention, treatment, education and research.
* Holistic systems that consider the physical, psychological, and socio-economic facets of the patient that will serve as a model for the Arab world of how excellence in the care of children can be achieved through cooperation with and integration of medical knowledge gathered from the most scientifically advanced sources worldwide.

The Children's Cancer Hospital 57357 recognizes that achieving the above goals depends upon the sincerity and dedication of a highly skilled staff. We regard our human resources as the essence of our humanitarian effort. To this end we place the highest priority on supporting professional and personal growth of the entire hospital staff through continuous training and fostering a team spirit.

Historical Perspective of AFNCI

In 1997 a group of physicians at the National Cancer Institute (NCI) along with a group of donors began serious discussion about creating a formal mechanism for carrying out their philanthropic mission. They concluded that this could best be done through a non-governmental organization (NGO). In November 1998 the Association of Friends of the National Cancer Institute (AFNCI) was officially registered with the Ministry of Social Affairs and Insurance. The first board of directors was selected from this founding group with then Dean of the NCI, Dr. M. Reda Hamza serving as its first chairman. An office was opened in space loaned by a board member. Two long time volunteers became employees and additional staff was hired, funds and activities were organized and systems developed to create the effective AENCI of today.

During its early development, AFNCI carried out a variety of projects in the NCI at a cost of several million Egyptian pounds, all donated. Some of the past successes are:

* Pediatric outpatient clinic
* Clinical pharmacy system
* Cytogenetic laboratory
* A Blood donor program
* Volunteer program
* Pharmacokenetics laboratory

Pressing Need

For reasons not yet understood, childhood cancer is increasing worldwide by almost one percent per year. In developing countries the incidence is much higher than in the scientifically advanced West. An important aspect of our need is medical research into the causative factors for increased incidence. This fast-growing pediatric oncology patient population cannot be accommodated within the existing facilities. In addition to a need for more space, the scope of services must be expanded. Some services needed for comprehensive care are not now available within a single facility in Cairo. As a result of such limitations, Egyptian children with cancer have a far smaller chance for a future than their Western counterparts. The obvious solution to this problem is to build a world-class hospital dedicated to caring for children with cancer and staff it with professionals trained in the latest treatment methodology.
It is estimated that 42% of the population of Egypt is under the age of 18 which is currently estimated at 29 million. Although cancer occurs rarely in this age group it is the primary cause of death by disease in the developed world and it is estimated that 1 in 350 children develop cancer by the age of 20. Therefore, each year there are approximately 8400 children in Egypt estimated to develop cancer. Fifty percent of these children will die due to lack of adequate treatment and facilities, as well as advanced technology. Today in the West, as a result of intensive treatments and state of the art facilities, 70-80% of children survive cancer. Egypt, the Middle East and Africa need a centre of excellence dedicated only for children with cancer to achieve these rates.

To me it is simply unacceptable that a child should die in the dawn of life

Danny Thomas paraphrasing an Arab adage

This new addition to our site will give you more of an idea what is happening at Hospital 57357 as things get ever closer to completion.
Building a hospital for cancer patients and children is a very detailed, complicated process to meet the rigid requirements of infection control, child safety, and family centered environment that are set for such a hospital. However, every day over a thousand people are working hard on every detail, reviewing, revising, implementing, building, installing, and creating. These people come from all walks of life: