'Lee Geon-hee Legacy' Supporting Pediatric Cancer... Nurturing Hope for 10,000 Patients Nationwide

Seoul National University Hospital Pediatric Cancer and Rare Disease Support Project Performance Sharing
Establishment of Project Team with 300 Billion KRW Donation by Late Chairman Lee Geon-hee
1,504 Medical Staff Nationwide, 9,521 Diagnosed, 3,892 Treated

Dael (11), who was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia 6 years ago, is regaining health after undergoing pediatric cancer chemotherapy, relapse, and repeated diagnoses. She endured next-generation sequencing-minimal residual disease (NGS-MRD) tests costing over 1 million KRW per session nine times. She also received chimeric antigen receptor T-cell (CAR-T) therapy, which costs approximately 500 million to 700 million KRW per session.

Hayul (14) suffers from Duchenne muscular dystrophy, a rare disease. Her arm muscle strength gradually weakened, making daily life difficult. Through a research project at Seoul National University Hospital, she received a fabric-type artificial muscle shoulder brace and found hope.

For Dael and Hayul, the Pediatric Cancer and Rare Disease Project Group at Seoul National University Hospital has been a source of support. The project group has been conducting support programs for patients using 300 billion KRW donated by the late Lee Kun-hee, former chairman of Samsung. Patients and families who have regained new lives like Dael and Hayul, along with donors, gathered in one place.

On November 8 last year, pediatric cancer and rare disease patients and their families took a commemorative photo with medical staff and attendees at the "Lee Kun-hee Pediatric Cancer and Rare Disease Overcoming Project Symposium" held at the Biomedical Research Institute of Seoul National University Hospital in Jongno-gu, Seoul.
[Photo by Seoul National University Children's Hospital]

On the 21st, the project group held an event titled "Opening Hope Together, Opening the Future" at the CJ Hall of Seoul National University Children's Hospital in Jongno-gu, Seoul. The event was organized to review the achievements of the Lee Kun-hee Pediatric Cancer and Rare Disease Overcoming Project, which started with Chairman Lee’s donation in May 2021, and to share future visions. Attendees included Kim Young-tae, director of Seoul National University Hospital, Choi Eun-hwa, head of the project group (vice director of pediatric care at Seoul National University Hospital), and Jang Seok-hoon, president of Samsung Social Contribution.

This is a mid- to long-term project supporting treatment research for pediatric cancer and rare diseases over 10 years. Pediatric cancer and rare diseases vary widely in type and have a small number of patients, making it difficult to develop treatments. Patients outside the metropolitan area also face challenges in accessing medical services. The project group has continuously promoted the expansion of nationwide medical infrastructure and strengthened cooperation with regional hospitals.

The project group allocated the donation funds as 150 billion KRW for pediatric cancer projects, 60 billion KRW for pediatric rare disease treatment platforms, and 90 billion KRW for joint research. Over the past four years, 9,521 pediatric cancer and rare disease patients have been diagnosed, and 3,892 have received treatment. A total of 24,608 cohort data entries have been registered. Two hundred two medical institutions nationwide and 1,504 medical staff collaborate to treat children.

At the event, the project group moved attendees with a video titled "Together we are strong." The video depicted the journeys of patients overcoming pediatric cancer and rare diseases. Through the "Hope Story" talk session, patients and medical staff shared stories about overcoming illness together and nurturing dreams, as well as discussions on improving the medical environment. The "SNUH Amusement Park" program exhibited drawings and support messages created by children treated at Seoul National University Children's Hospital. Not only children supported by the project group but also other children participated in the exhibition.

Choi Eun-hwa, head of the project group, said, "The project group continuously strives to provide better diagnostic and treatment opportunities for children suffering from pediatric cancer and rare diseases," adding, "The project will play an important role in delivering hope not only to the present but also to future generations."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.