Pakistan Project Summary

Background

In Pakistan (photos) Cure2Children is supporting the cure of children with thalassemia major, the most common deadly genetic disease. This target was chosen as a priority for several reasons: a) Huge case load with approximately 50,000 children suffering of this disease in Pakistan; b) high curabilty of low-risk cases with a compatible sibling donor; c) well recognized expertise of Italy tanks to professor Guido Lucarelli; d) chronic disease which allows time for appropriate preparation of the transplant procedure; e) families generally aware of the severity of the diseases and thus very committed to its treatment; f) strong involvement of a very active Pakistani couple whose daughter was cured from thalassemia in Italy.

The preparation phase started in February 2007 with the first local visit. Since than, several meetings and workshops have been organized to share recommendations and procedures as well as institutional agreements. In April 2008 the first patients have been identified and in September the actual transplant axctivity was started at the National Institute of Blood Diseases in Karachi according to the same protocol applied in Italy. In January 2009, two new centers were innaugurated and have started bone marrow transplantation, one at Shifa International Hospital in Islamabad, and the other at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences. The latter was fully supported by the Cure2Children Foundation, and is the firts bone marrow transplant unit in the public civil sector in Pakistan. This project also aims at the support of involved families as well as at screening and prevention of thalassemia.

The ultimate goal is not only to save the lives of many children and help their families but to contribute to professional independence, scientific visibility, and local ownership of transplant centers in Pakistan.

Aim

Support financially and professionally local institutions and families in order to provide the best available tratment to children with severe disesases such as thalassemia and prove that in many instances the same procedure performed in Italy can be safely and successfully applied in Pakistan. The focus is on promoting sustainability, local ownership and professional self-reliance.

Means

1. Shared guidelines and procedures pertinent to local reality
2. Diagnostic support
3. Daily communicatiion via web-based tools
4. Monthly visits of health professionals
5. Procurement of drugs and other supplies for the management of affected children
6. Financial support and councelling of involved families

Activity summary as of March 2009

Overall expense: so far approximatlely 200,000 Euros

Milestones

Future plans: to extend the network offering screening, prevention and treatement of thalassemia major in Pakistan.

Kosovo Project Summary

Background

With relative little resources health care professionals in Kosovo (photos) can cure many children whom otherwise would have no choice but to emigrate with their families or not have a chance to live at all.

Since November 2007 the Cure2Children Foundation has supported a project aiming at supporting local professionals and institutions to start treating children with low-risk leukemia. This was initiated by the Associazione SOS Infanzia nel Mondo in collaboration with the pediatric hematology-oncology service at Policlinico Gemelli in Rome and the Italian peace-keeping force in Kosovo (KFOR). After a preparation phase of almost a year, in August 2009, the first children with leukemia to be ever treated in Kosovo became a reality. This therapy was started at the pediatric oncology service of Prishtina University Hospital. In addition to financial support, Cure2Children provides drugs, diagnostic tools, training, shared guidelines and procedures pertinent to local realities as well as web-based information and communication tools. In parallel with medical care the project includes a family support program run by the mother of child treated of her leukemia at Policlinico Gemelli, which provides families with counseling, psychological support, logistical and financial help.

Aims

To support both financially and professionally local institutions and families in order to provide the best chances of cure to children with cancer, leukemia and severe blood diseases who would otherwise not have access to therapy.

Means

• Shared guidelines and procedures pertinent to local realities
• Diagnostic support
• Daily communicatiion via web-based tools
• Monthly visits of health professionals
• Procurement of drugs and other supplies for the management of affected children
• Financial support and councelling of involved families

Activity summery as of March 2009

Overall expense: so far approximatlely 16,000 Euros

Milestones