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This year, approximately 10,500 children in the United States will be diagnosed with cancer. Among those diagnosed, blood cancers, like leukemia, are some of the most common forms of pediatric cancer. To support those affected both nationwide and in its hometown of Milwaukee, Northwestern Mutual, through its Foundation, today announced a $5 million commitment to Children’s Wisconsin to support its MACC Fund Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders.
The funding, which will span across five years through 2025, represents the company’s largest standalone donation connected to its national philanthropic cause of childhood cancer. The partnership will launch both in-hospital navigator and psychosocial programs to help guide patients and families through diagnoses, treatment and recovery. It will also expand existing programs and services, such as the Northwestern Mutual Day Hospital for Childhood Cancer, to continue to provide outpatient care for children with cancer and blood disorders.
“Through this contribution, patients and families will experience individualized patient support and greater access to resources for navigating their journeys from diagnosis to healing,” said Eric Christophersen, president, Northwestern Mutual Foundation. “We’re proud to help strengthen the exceptional care childhood cancer patients receive at Children’s Wisconsin.”
This donation will also support patient care and a community navigator for families impacted by sickle cell disease, an often life-threatening blood disorder that occurs in nearly 1 out of every 400 African American births. Like childhood cancer, sickle cell disease is a life threatening condition in need of novel and comprehensive therapies. It is a natural extension to the company’s Childhood Cancer Program, and also aligns with its commitment to addressing racial disparities through a Sustained Action for Racial Equity Task Force.
“Since their first gift in 1978, the Northwestern Mutual Foundation has been a steadfast supporter of the Children’s Wisconsin mission,” said Meg Brzyski Nelson, president, Children’s Wisconsin Foundation. “This $5 million commitment will help every single child and family who turn to Children’s Wisconsin when they are diagnosed with childhood cancer or blood disorders.”
When a child is diagnosed with cancer, a blood disease or immune deficiency disorder, finding the right medical care is every family’s first and most important step. Today, more and more families are choosing the MACC Fund Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders at Children’s Wisconsin, the largest cancer program in Wisconsin and one of the top programs in the country. The multidisciplinary center provides sophisticated treatments and cutting-edge research for the common to the rarest and most complex childhood cancers and blood disorders.
To recognize the donation, the hospital will also feature the Northwestern Mutual Welcome & Information Center at the main entrance of its new Clinics Building 1 at Children’s Wisconsin Hospital-Milwaukee location.
Since 2012, Northwestern Mutual’s Childhood Cancer Program has focused on advancing childhood cancer research, providing family and patient support and serving as a resource to families managing the long-term effects of cancer treatment. With the support of Northwestern Mutual employees and financial advisors nationwide, the company has contributed more than $35 million and funded over 455,000 hours of research through the program.
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