Four Ukrainian children being treated for cancer have been flown to Memphis for care. They’re the first to take medical transports to the U.S. as part of a war evacuation coordinated by St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
They arrived Monday with their family members on a U.S. government-operated aircraft. The patients range from nine years down to nine months.
“Our promise to children with catastrophic diseases extends around the globe, and we are honored to play a part in helping these families move to safety to continue their children’s treatment,” St. Jude CEO Dr. James Downing said in a written statement.
The Memphis hospital, which also operates a global arm, has been helping place patients from Ukraine in hospitals across Europe willing to treat them at no charge. But leaders indicated nearly two weeks ago that some with more complex conditions might need to be flown to the U.S. as European hospitals grew overwhelmed. St. Jude also has a policy not to charge patients for treatment.
St. Jude was making space for up to 25 patients and expected other children’s hospitals around the country to take on patients. St. Jude is also housing the families and, according to a statement, plans to offer trauma therapy and educational services to the patients and their siblings.
Courtesy St. Jude A pediatric cancer patient from Ukraine is examined at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, which has been leading an evacuation effort.
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