Wal-Mart has donated US$25,000 to the International Consortium for Cure of Childhood Cancer in China to support cancer treatment for Chinese children.
The funding will be specifically used to sponsor Chinese doctors to be trained in the United States, and to support the cancer research center for children in Capital Pediatric Research Station in Beijing.
"Children Welfare is an important part of Corporate Social Responsibilities of Wal-Mart China. This funding is yet another demonstration of our commitment to the tradition of community involvement. We hope this program can help raise the level of treatment of children cancer, and save more children." said James Lee, Vice President of Wal-Mart China.
So far, the incidence of leukemia is higher than any other malignant tumor diseases among Chinese children. About three out of one hundred thousand children under fifteen suffer from leukemia, taking a percentage of 35% of all malignant tumor diseases among the age group. Some patients can only be cured through bone marrow transplant, but the treatment usually costs over RMB200,000.
This is Wal-Mart's second donation to the fund. Wal-Mart donated RMB200,000 to the fund in October 2004.
Wal-Mart says sees itself as a member of the community and is committed to local community contribution and service. Wal-Mart organizes charity events and engages in community services in five areas including environmental protection, good neighbor, education support, children welfare, and disaster relief in China. Since entering China in 1996, Wal-Mart has donated over RMB24 million to various charitable organizations.
