At 57357, we started Working on a New Dream to Make it Come True
New Expansions to Receive More Children and Help them Beat Cancer

We are pleased to announce that we have signed the Agreement of the Implementation of the First Phase of the Expansion and Development of the Children’s Cancer Hospital Egypt 57357 – Egypt Project, the Foundations and Concrete Structure Phase.
We need you to continue the journey with us and help us achieve our new dream. Together we achieved the dreams of establishing Hospital 57357, Tanta Branch, and the new 60 bed extension within 57357’s premises and that is why we trust that together, we are able to go on and achieve more for our children with cancer: providing a greater number of them with the best medical care and treatment free of charge and training new generations of skilled health care specialists.
Thanks to your support we started it right and we will end it right.

I met Farah in the lobby of the Hospital. A frail little adolescent girl who seems to be a fan of matching the color of her clothes to that of her costume jewelry. Farah is a very mature, assertive, humorous, and determined young girl who is accurate and precise when detailing her experience with cancer. I first had a very long conversation with her over the phone. The following day she insisted to meet me to rectify a small detail in her testimony and to bring me her photos 4 years ago when she was still being treated from a brain tumor.

Back then, Farah was forced not to take her last chemotherapy session, because her physician discovered she had contracted Virus C—a dormant fierce disease which can remain undetected for years and is widespread in Egypt. The effects of Virus C were multiple: Farah lost her appetite, had a deficient immunity and her overall recovery was slowed down. We are therefore very grateful for the recent initiative by our hospital management to screen all staff for Virus C and for allocating a space in the recently donated building for a hospice care center precisely for the screening and treatment of Virus C. We are even more grateful that Farah is on a path of steady recovery from both diseases with periodical follow ups by her doctors.

This is in Farah’s own words, the story of her journey at 57357:
I was 12 years old when unexpectedly, my left eye developed a squint. My parents took me to several eye doctors who advised to go to Hospital 57357. There, I was assigned to the care of Dr. Hanafi and examined by Dr. Beltaguy, head of the neuro-surgery department. The tumor inside my brain caused pressure and the formation of water over the left eye which caused the squint. They inserted a shunt lengthways from behind my ear to my stomach to drain the water. Farah insisted to show me and make me feel the ends of the tube still inserted in her body when she came to meet me. The squint disappeared right away. The doctors, then scheduled me for a surgery to remove a brain tumor.

Where you afraid before going into the operating room? Farah answered with a lot of humour:
Not at all, when coming to 57357, I was persuaded that cancer like any other disease, for example the flu, was very easily curable. My parents had hidden from me the fact that I could come out of surgery paralyzed or blind. I went inside the OR very relaxed. I even asked my mom to cook me my favorite dish. Upon exiting the OR, as I was still on the movable bed, I was extremely bothered and perplexed at my parents’ concerns: are you able to see?: can you move your leg? can you move your arm?

Luckily, I was not blind, nor paralyzed and all the tumor was removed. The treatment which lasted one year required both radiotherapy and chemotherapy. The chemotherapy sessions were very painful because with each session, my stomach would hurt so badly that I would not be able to eat. My temperature would rise and my immunity would decline, so much so that I had to be taken to Hospital. When the time came for my last chemo session, liver analysis revealed that I had Virus C. They gave me the treatment for Virus C and now after 4 years, I am recovered and being followed up every six months for the brain tumor and every month for the Virus C.
I am really grateful to everyone in the hospital, they all took excellent care of me, the nurses, the physicians, even the nutrition specialist who visited me often to inquire about my favorite kinds of food.

Farah, what are you interested in studying at university?
I want to be a Media specialist. This is my last year in school. I intend to start studying way before the start of the school year, maybe by the end of Ramadan.

Over the past year, ECN at Virginia Commonwealth University has set out on a mission to help support the children in the 57357 Children’s Cancer Hospital of Cairo. ECN at VCU is a non-profit student organization that has worked closely with ECN USA to help involve college students in the worldwide fight against cancer. Although college students might lack the resources, this is made up for with our collective manpower, and our enthusiasm to this great cause. It is our goal to not only raise money for the Egyptian Cancer Network but to also raise awareness on ECN’s efforts of providing every child with the proper treatment to live a quality life.

To cap off the year, ECN VCU took part in the “Caps for Cancer” initiative in order to give the college students a way to make a direct tangible impact to the children going through cancer treatment. We partnered with several student organizations including: Emerging Healthcare Leaders (EHL), Arab Student Association (ASA), and Egyptian Student Association of North America (ESANA) throughout the year. Together, we held fundraisers, and hosted events where we donated multiple caps and made 50+ heartfelt cards of support to send to the children overseas. Individually, the prospect of making a worldwide impact seemed daunting, but collectively we are blessed to have had the opportunity to do our part in the fight against childhood cancer. We are proud to have raised over $550, and successfully introduced the ideology of ECN to the students at our college campus over the past year. This has been a very humbling experience for us all, and we look forward to continuing our work next year.

This year, Ramadan is bringing along the birth of a new chapter in the Bay area, new expectations, and bigger challenges for ECN in the U.S.

On May 8th, 2016, the nascent ECN San Francisco chapter held its first fundraising dinner with over 150 attendees, members of the Egyptian community in the Bay Area, Northern California. The organizers of the event, namely Ahmed Tantawy, Tamer Kira, Safaa Ibrahim, Khaled El Mishad, Noha Wagdy, and countless volunteers were satisfied it had fulfilled its social and fundraising goals. Many of the guests had never heard of 57357 and expressed enthusiasm for the Hospital’s humanitarian mission of providing top quality care and cure to Egyptian children with cancer for free. They conveyed their interest in contributing to its current capacity and program expansion projects; enabling it to almost double the number of admitted patients (from 45% to 80% of annual pediatric cancer cases in Egypt)

The night began with opening comments from Jawal Nabulsi, founder and CEO of  Nebny Foundation. Then, Ambassador Lamia Mekhemier, Consul General, who made a special trip from Los Angeles, expressed how proud she was to be Egyptian and  praised the work and action of Hospital 57357 in Egypt.

Highlights of the event were the slide presentation of guest speaker Dr. Hisham Seify, president and Chairman of the Board of ECN, the talk of keynote speaker, Dr. Hesham Dinana, VP of consultancy management firm, Solving EFESO Egypt, about the new 57357’s capacity expansion project, and the touching testimonial of 12 year old Mohamed Elawadi, a four year cancer survivor.

Dr. Seify gave the history of the hospital and talked about the establishment of Egypt Cancer Network, a fundraising, US- based tax -deductible charitable organization affiliated to Hospital 57357 and committed to the support of the Hospital and Egyptian hospitals and non-profits focused on cancer.

As for Dr. Dinana, he flew all the way from Cairo to present 57357’s new expansion project which will turn the actual Hospital into a Health Sciences Campus including a Health Sciences Academy, an advanced reseach center, a proton therapy installation and a 300 bed in-patient tower. Dinana’s firm, Solving EFESO is the consultant of Hospital 57357 for development and expansion projects. It is noteworthy that before the start of Ramadan, the contractor for two main buildings of the campus is already mobilizing the sites to start construction.

Twelve year old Mohamed Elawadi, a four year cancer survivor captured the crowd’s attention and emotions as he told of his sometimes horrendous journey through treatments for Leukemia as an 8 year old normal boy. His sense of humor during his speech was bittersweet and he was awarded with a standing ovation from the crowd.
The Dinner which was animated by a trio of Musicians, Aswat, which had everyone singing and recalling many happy memories of Egypt.The guests departed delighted with their evening and enthusiastic about extending further support to the Hospital and its new expansion.

I have been to many hospitals around the world and this is one of the best experiences I have had
Yesterday we received the visit of the special assistant to the mayor of Houston, Texas, U.S, Mr. Matthew Shailer. Few years back, Shailer had attended a fundraiser in favor of Hospital 57357 organized by Egypt Cancer Network and one of the top medical centers in the U.S., the Texas Medical Center which according to Shailer “would not be what it is today without the contributions of American Physicians of Egyptian descent” . That is why Shailer was keen to put 57357 on the itinerary of his visit to Egypt which aims at growing ties with the country as a whole and the twining of Houston with an Egyptian city, possibly Alexandria.
“It was important to me for my first visit to Egypt to pay homage to the work you do here in the Hospital…. and seeing the lives you are touching and the difference you are making, I leave with a full heart, very impressed by what I have seen here …the facilities, the doctors, the people behind desks in offices, ……everyone working here is united in their mission” said Shailer at the end of his tour of the premises.
“You walk in the corridors and you see children with smiling happy faces although they are dealing with the worst circumstances…Somehow here in this place it is quite magical” noted Shailer. At the end of his tour, the special assistant to the mayor of Houston affirms that he looks forward to continue the cooperation with Hospital 57357 and Egypt Cancer network U.S. within the framework of the strengthening of ties between Houston and Egypt. Confident of the significant difference Hospital 57357 is making in the lives of Egyptian children with cancer, he looks forward to doing his part to support the Hospital’s mission.

Egyptian who works in The Emirates. Mina left his heart in Egypt; that is why he is always present in any Egypt-related event to offer moral and material support.
For instance, the charitable and kind-hearted Mina never fails to stand by the Hospital and its children with cancer. On the occasion of the Al Ahly and Roma Soccer Match for which he was one of the sponsors, he not only pursued to be supportive to his country but also instrumental in conveying to the whole world a message of praise to Hospital 57357’s humanitarian mission and medical action.
Mina put up a big banner carrying the name of the Hospital during the game. He expressed how proud he was of 57357 which is Egypt’s bright and hopeful façade to the world. Mina is working hard to sow the seeds of the love of Egypt in his children Adam and Farid and to teach them that patriotism is an honor and a duty for every Egyptian. He stresses that it is only through the efforts of Egypt’s people that Egypt would be a great Nation. Mina affirmed that he wants the whole world to know that he is standing beside his country and that he is proud of Hospital 57357.

Children are the same everywhere, they want to laugh, play, and dream of a bright future.
To safeguard our children’s basic rights, our duty as citizens of the world is to support each other and those who take care of them with care and love as in Hospital 57357
‘Touching’ and ‘compassionate’; these are the words to best describe Canada’s Minister of Foreign Affairs’ visit to Hospital 57357 yesterday afternoon and his encounter with our children. Indeed, despite his busy schedule which originally planned for a short 30 minute to the hospital, the Minister ended up spending an hour and a half mostly in the company of children in the chemotherapy rooms. To an adolescent boy who found difficulty pronouncing his name, the Canadian Minister jokingly said “Dion like the famous Singer Celine Dion”.
The minute he stepped in the lobby of the Hospital where the children were greeting him with flowers, you could feel he is a man of heart and of great modesty. Instinctively, He kneels down on one knee to be at the same height of the children who want to take a picture with him along with Farhan the famous 57357 clown.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs was already informed about the Hospital by members of the Egyptian Community living in Canada some of whom actively engaged in Hospital 57357’s Canada-based non-profit fundraising affiliate, Egypt Cancer Network (ECN) –Canada. He was warmly welcomed by The Hospital’s Board of trustees President, top management, and members of ECN board. In his presentation of the Hospital, CEO Dr.Abou El Naga paid tribute to two of 57357’s most influential benefactors, Nurse Consultant Patricia Pruden and renowned pediatric Neuro- oncologist, Dr. Mark Kieran who are both Canadians. A short video demonstrated how Canada through its nationals and its successive heads of diplomatic missions in Egypt, played a strong supportive role in the establishment of Hospital 57357.

At the bedside of a Sudanese child, Dr. Abou El naga explained that although 57357 is overstretched in capacity and is embarked on a large capacity expansion project to cater to the constant increasing demand for its quality services, it is still committed to the children with cancer in its neighboring countries in the Arab World and in Africa. In a way, this is 57357’s manner to pay back for all the support and blessings it has received from friends and experts all around the globe.

At the end of his visit, Dion sent out a message of solidarity with 57357’s healthcare professionals and non-profit organizations, namely Egypt cancer Network Canada, who are devoted to safeguarding the well-being of children: Children are the same everywhere, they want to laugh, play, and dream of a bright future. To safeguard our children’s basic rights, our duty as citizens of the world is to support each other and those who take care of them with care and love as in Hospital 57357.

Arabian Construction Co. as Contractor, and Shaker Consultancy group as local consultant prepare for site mobilization of the administrative and outpatient buildings

Both Contractor and local Consultant were part of the dream Team that built Hospital 57357

At last, the incredible dream of increasing the capacity and programs of Hospital 57357 and turning it into a Health Sciences Campus is about to materialize just before the start of the Holy Month. On Tuesday, May 17, a meeting was held at the Hospital premises to bring together all the companies involved in the launching of construction works of two main buildings of the Campus. Indeed a very hopeful and enthusiastic group namely Contractor Arabian Construction Co ,Shaker Consultancy group and their sub consultants IETC and Al Amar group met with Eng. Adel Youssef, Head of 57357 Group’s Projects to coordinate the schedule for site mobilization of the administrative building and the new outpatient facility.

Contractor Arabian Construction Co. is requested to make ready the two sites for construction before the start of Ramadan including fencing and the transfer of their construction equipment, resources and manpower to the sites.

“I am delighted to be working with this group, who were part of Hospital 57357’s first dream Team which built a unique and exceptional facility for Egypt’s people.” said Eng. Youssef to the meeting attendees. He added that although important challenges lie ahead, he is convinced that they will equally succeed in delivering an outstanding 57357 Health Sciences Campus with this second dream Team.

It is noteworthy that 57357 is embarked on a mega program and capacity expansion project to turn the actual Hospital into a Health Sciences Campus. The new Campus is to include, besides the aforementioned buildings, a Health s and Sciences Training Academy, a 300 bed in-patient Tower and an advanced research Institute. It is expected that the new Campus will enable 57357 to accept 80% of annual pediatric cancer cases in Egypt.

It is also important to mention that both Contractor and local Consultant were part of the first dream Team which built Hospital 57357. Arabian Construction Co. had won the tender for exterior/interior and finishing phase. This was a massive undertaking and the actual 57357 building is a true credit to the company’s desire then to make a difference in the building of healthcare facilities in the region.

As for Shaker Consultancy Group, they were involved early in the design phase of Hospital 57357 to develop the detailed drawings for the electrical mechanical design system, supervising the installation and hand-over for this work. Despite the fact that Dr. Shaker donated his company’s work which exceeded millions of pounds, it has been of the highest caliber and has been praised by all who have

Up-coming support from the company to 57357 in the areas of research and expansion projects
Hospital 57357 welcomed a Samsung Electronics Egypt delegation headed by Eng. Sherif Barakat, VP of the company, and Ms Ragia Samir, Head of marketing. They were received by the Hospital CEO who accompanied them on their tour of the premises. They also spent time with the children in different sections of the Hospital.
Commenting on the visit, Eng. Barakat reveals: “I am sorry for having been late in carrying out this visit. I wished we would have been there since the Hospital’s inception.”
He added that 57357 was not merely a Hospital; but rather a comprehensive institution pursuing to undertake all what could be of benefit for the entire nation and the Egyptian People. This is exactly the path they have chosen for themselves at Samsung Electronics. He expressed that he was particularly appreciative of the fact that 57357 were committed to scientific research which is instrumental to the progress of nations. He pledged to direct their social corporate responsibility funds to support the 57357 institution as they are convinced that this is the best channel for these funds to trickle down and be of benefit the entire Egyptian Society. Through this support, they want to feel that they are part of the development of their community and that they play a role in its progress. They would certainly extend support to 57357’s research programs as well as its capacity expansion projects and its needs in electronic equipment.

At the end of the visit, Samsung presented an in-kind donation, air-conditions and television screens.

The Hospital Lab receives a donation of the latest  technology flow cytometry equipment, one of the tools of identifying Minimum Residual Disease.

The new 10 color technology secures maximum precision and accuracy in identifying residual cancer cells and as well it detects all the different kinds of modifications of these cancer cells.  

Minimal residual disease (MRD) is the term we give to small numbers of leukemia cancer cells that remain in the patient during treatment or after treatment when the patient is in remission.MRD is the major cause of relapse in cancer and leukemia. Not too long ago, none of the tests used to assess or detect cancer were precise enough to detect MRD. Presently, however, very sensitive tests are available. These can measure very small levels of cancer cells in tissue samples, sometimes as low as one cancer cell in a million normal cells. One of the tools of testing is the use of the flow cytometry equipment. Thanks to constant donors support to the Hospital, our labs have received the latest version flow cytometry equipment, the FACS CANTO II 10 COLORS with Auto Loader. The first ever in Egypt, the new equipment which carries four more colors than the previous one will secure maximum precision and accuracy in identifying residual cancer cells as well as it detects all the different kinds of modifications of these cells

For the sake of maximizing the outcomes of our children with cancer who are mostly hit by leukemia, MRD testing is most significant in determining whether treatment has eradicated the cancer or whether some cancer cells remain, comparing the effectiveness of different treatments, and observing patient remission . But most essentially, it is important for detecting recurrence of the leukemia or cancer, and choosing the treatment that will best meet those needs.

It is noteworthy that Hospital 57357 carries out more than 50% of flow cytometry tests run annually all across Egypt.