Paediatric Bone Marrow Transplantation

In Hong Kong, it is estimated that about 40 children suffering from cancer and other blood disorders have need of bone marrow transplantation each year. At present, both the Queen Mary Hospital and the Lady Pao Children's Cancer Centre have bacteria-free isolation cubicles donated by the Foundation, which are especially designed for patients whose immunity against bacteria is temporarily impaired after bone marrow transplantation.

Except for an annual government subsidy for drugs, all major expenses relating to paediatric bone marrow transplantations at the Prince of Wales Hospital are mostly borne by private funds. In this respect, the Children's Cancer Foundation, when it was previously attached to the Chinese University, provided HK$4.3 million to fund the setting up of the unit.

At present, the Foundation purchases equipment for the unit, subsidizes the unit's running and maintenance costs and funds the training of specialist medical staff, dieticians and technicians.

As every successful transplantation means the rebirth of a life, the Foundation is sparing no efforts in this particular area.