Ji-woo (pseudonym) was diagnosed with leukemia after a routine blood test. Despite undergoing chemotherapy, she faced severe challenges, including hospitalization in the intensive care unit due to pneumonia. As the risk of relapse increased due to remaining cancer cells, medical staff suggested a next-generation immunotherapy known as CAR-T treatment. Following the treatment, her first follow-up test showed no residual disease, allowing Ji-woo to return home to her family. Her guardian stated, "This treatment was literally hope for our family."
Like Ji-woo, many pediatric cancer and rare disease patients urgently need new treatment options. The family of the late Lee Kun-hee, former chairman of Samsung, honored his wish that children receive treatment regardless of their financial circumstances by donating 300 billion won (approximately $300 million) in 2021. This funding has facilitated the development and clinical application of advanced treatment technologies, benefiting 14,757 out of 22,646 diagnosed patients over the past five years.
According to the Pediatric Cancer and Rare Disease Support Project Team at Seoul National University Hospital, the "Lee Kun-hee Pediatric Cancer and Rare Disease Overcoming Project," initiated in 2021, has achieved these results as of September this year. The project, funded by the 300 billion won donation made by Lee's family in April 2021, is set to continue for ten years until 2030. Its core mission is to develop diagnostic and treatment technologies that ensure children receive appropriate care regardless of their economic status or location.
One of the most notable achievements over the past five years has been the establishment of a precision medicine system for pediatric cancer. The project team developed the first standard treatment protocol for pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia in Korea, classifying patients into five risk groups and tracking treatment responses through genomic analysis and next-generation sequencing (NGS). A precision medicine platform called STREAM, which includes over 60% of pediatric solid tumor patients in Korea, has also been established.
The clinical application of advanced treatment technologies has also expanded significantly. Seoul National University Hospital has set up a system to manufacture CAR-T cells in-house, supplying treatment cells to 21 pediatric patients by September this year. The project has strengthened personalized treatment foundations by analyzing patients' genomic characteristics to identify previously undiagnosed conditions.
In the field of rare diseases, more than 20 new conditions have been identified and diagnosed. A system has been established where medical institutions nationwide send patient samples and genetic information to a central analysis center, which provides results within four to six weeks. It is known that diagnosing rare diseases takes an average of 9.2 years, with about half of patients not receiving an accurate diagnosis. The project team is also supporting local medical institutions in utilizing precision genomic testing.
National research collaboration has also expanded. The number of research projects supported by the project team has increased from seven in 2021 to 190 this year. As of September, 1,411 medical professionals from 185 institutions across the country are participating, with 57,030 data entries registered in the pediatric cancer and rare disease patient cohort. With only 69 pediatric hematology-oncology specialists in Korea, this initiative aims to improve the reality where many pediatric cancer patients outside the capital region seek treatment elsewhere.
These achievements stem from the late chairman's emphasis on child welfare and medical contributions. In 1989, he established the Samsung Welfare Foundation with a personal donation of 10.2 billion won (approximately $10 million) to start childcare programs for low-income children. In 2013, he donated 20 billion won (approximately $20 million) for the construction of a specialized treatment center for children with developmental disabilities. This led to the opening of the Samsung Development Center at the Seoul Children's Hospital in 2017.
In addition to the pediatric cancer and rare disease project, the family has donated 700 billion won (approximately $700 million) to build infrastructure for infectious disease response. Of this amount, 200 billion won will be allocated for research on vaccines and treatments, while 500 billion won will go toward constructing a central infectious disease hospital. The 150-bed facility is expected to break ground in 2027 and be completed by 2030, bringing the total medical donations to 1 trillion won (approximately $1 billion).
Lee Jae-yong, chairman of Samsung Electronics, and Hong Ra-hee, honorary director of the Leeum Samsung Museum of Art, are continuing the family's commitment to medical contributions. They visited the Seoul National University Children's Hospital in October 2024 to encourage pediatric cancer and rare disease patients, their families, and medical staff.
Baek Nam-jong, president of Seoul National University Hospital, stated, "The true value of medical research lies in improving patients' lives. This project demonstrates the potential for meaningful private donations to support medical research, creating a virtuous cycle that contributes to patient diagnosis and treatment."
Jang Seok-hoon, president of Samsung's Corporate Social Responsibility Division, remarked, "The philosophy of 'respect for human dignity' emphasized by the late Chairman Lee Kun-hee has translated into care and love for all lives and children. We hope to create more hope and treatment opportunities for pediatric cancer and rare disease patients not only in Korea but around the world."
* This article has been translated by AI.
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