Facilities Helped
countries
children helped
Global Outreach Program
To address the inadequate or nonexistent medical care for children with cancer in developing countries, the NCCS introduced another program: the Global Outreach Program. Since 1993, this niche program has distributed more than $471 million in donated pharmaceuticals and medical supplies to 111 facilities in 53 countries, helping to save the lives of an estimated 204,000 children with cancer worldwide. Children receiving treatment at our partnered facilities are never burdened with a hospital bill, and their families can focus on getting their children healthy again.
All recipients of the program’s donations must adhere to strict guidelines and ensure donated medicines are stored in secure areas.
- Daniel McKenzie
Zimbabwe - KidzCan Zimbabwe- Togo Boubacar
Mali – Gabriel Toure University Hospital- Zeina Hamden
Lebanon – Children’s Cancer Center of Lebanon- Nubia Mendoza
Honduras - Fundación Hondureña para el Niño con Cáncer- Romel Cajuste
Haiti – Nos Petits Freres et Soeurs-Hopital St. DamienCountry Spotlights
Select a country below to see how the NCCS has supported their children’s oncology facility.
GUATEMALA
HONDURAS
LEBANON
ZIMBABWE
EL SALVADOR
Guatemala
Fundación Ayúdame a Vivir / Unidad Nacional de Oncología Pediátrica (AYUVI-UNOP)
Partnered with the NCCS since 1998
About the facility
Fundación Ayúdame a Vivir (AYUVI) was established in 1997. With a notable mission of securing funds to provide children ages 0-18 with 100% free and comprehensive cancer treatment, AYUVI empowers these young warriors to face their illnesses with dignity. A groundbreaking achievement was marked by the opening of the country’s sole specialized pediatric oncology center, Unidad Nacional de Oncología Pediátrica (UNOP). The alarming reality is that half of their young patients face malnutrition when they’re diagnosed with cancer, and 90% of the families that come to them for help have a monthly income of fewer than 2,000 quetzals or roughly $225 USD. At AYUVI, a dedicated team of doctors, social workers, psychologists, and nutritionists work harmoniously, ensuring comprehensive care for these children and their families. As a result, the survival rate for a child with cancer in Guatemala has exponentially grown from 20% in 2000 to 70% now. Since their inception, over 11,500 children with cancer have been treated, with a total of 4,062 patients in remission.
In a stride toward accessible care, a secondary facility on the city’s outskirts was formed in 2017, extending its reach to even more children with cancer. AYUVI’s vital work of supporting children with cancer is only made possible by generous donors like the Michele Hertlein Global Outreach Program which sends donated medicines and supplies.
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Honduras
Fundación Hondureña Para El Niño Con Cáncer
Partnered with the NCCS since 2000
About the Facility
Established in 1982 by a dedicated group of Volunteer Ladies, this impactful children’s cancer foundation remains committed to providing complete medical care and cancer treatment for its young warriors. Fundación Hondureña Para El Niño Con Cáncer tirelessly supports pediatric oncology units in Honduras, offering free care and ensuring that children have the opportunity to combat their illness without financial barriers hindering their battle. Advocating for early detection and comprehensive care during and after treatment, the foundation has enhanced the quality of life for over 8,100 children since its inception. They hold a firm belief that every child deserves love, respect, and admiration on their journey to recovery.
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Lebanon
Children’s Cancer Center of Lebanon (CCCL)
Partnered with the NCCS since 2021
About the Facility
Founded in 2002, the Children’s Cancer Center of Lebanon (CCCL) remains a pioneer in providing accessible, free treatment to children with cancer in Lebanon. Dependent entirely on generous donations, this esteemed facility has, since its inception, assisted over 5,000 children, boasting an impressive average cure rate of over 80%! Notably, the center shoulders the entire financial burden, covering the costs of treatment, surgeries, consultations, and medications, thus providing unwavering support to more than half of the nation’s children battling cancer.
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Zimbabwe
ZIMBABWE
KidzCan Zimbabwe, opened in 2000
Partnered with the NCCS since 2019
About the Facility
Founded in the year 2000, KidzCan Zimbabwe stands as a beacon of hope in pediatric oncology in Zimbabwe. Devoted to enhancing survival rates among children facing cancer, the facility is unwavering in its commitment to improving the quality of life for these young warriors. KidzCan Zimbabwe strives to foster a heartfelt environment, where every child’s journey is met with compassion and support. In a powerful testament to the compassion shared by the KidzCan team, Rainbow Children’s Village (RCV) emerged in February 2023, starting with five patients and their caregivers. In less than a year, RCV has expanded, now embracing 64 patients. This haven stands tall, aiming to tackle the obstacles that accompany a cancer diagnosis by offering a restorative home, where young warriors can heal post-treatment before returning home.
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El Salvador
Centro Médico Fundación Ayúdame a Vivir
Partnered with the NCCS since 2006
About the Facility
In 1991, Centro Médico Fundación Ayúdame a Vivir was formed to address an array of obstacles that children with cancer face in El Salvador. They take immense pride in providing comprehensive cancer treatment for children across the nation. From early detection to palliative care, they accompany these young warriors through every step of their challenging journey. In a remarkable transformation, the survival rate for children with cancer in El Salvador has soared from less than 5% to an inspiring 70%, a testament to their unwavering dedication. This facility doesn’t merely treat a portion but champions the cause by addressing 100% of children with cancer in the country, averaging care for 337 patients with cancer and over 1,000 patients in remission annually. Recognizing the challenges of medical treatment abandonment, they’ve implemented a program that has phenomenally reduced the rate from 13% to an astonishing 1%, ensuring children persist in their fight against cancer.
“Fundación Ayúdame a Vivir appreciates the support received from NCCS over the past 18 years. Our mission to save the lives of children with cancer is made possible by important allies like you, who are committed to the cause and understand that no one should face cancer alone. The medications and other donations we receive from you allow us to reduce our costs and redirect those funds to other equally important needs within our organization. Once again, thank you very much, NCCS, for your commitment to supporting children with cancer in El Salvador and around the world. We hope that this relationship continues to grow for many more years.” – Carolina Cristiani, Fundraising Manager
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Michele Hertlein
July 15, 1968 – August 5, 2020
Michele Hertlein dedicated 24 years of her life to making an impact on children battling cancer by securing and shipping donated pharmaceuticals and medical supplies to pediatric treatment centers around the world. After an arduous 10-year battle, she succumbed to her cancer, leaving a void felt by so many. She leaves behind a profound legacy of hope, marked by an unwavering and relentless commitment to supporting children with cancer.
For program information and/or to request assistance, please click here to view our brochure (PDF) or contact Karen Lintz, Global Outreach Program Manager, at klintz@theNCCS.org.
