Steven & Alexandra Cohen Foundation Commits $20 million to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital®

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St. Jude Children's Research Hospital

Dec 21, 2015, 02:25 ET

MEMPHIS, Tenn., Dec. 21, 2015 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- ALSAC, the fundraising and awareness organization for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital®, today announced a $20-million commitment from The Steven & Alexandra Cohen Foundation to support inpatient care for children battling cancer and other life-threatening diseases at St. Jude. The Cohen Foundation's gift will help fund the construction of an inpatient care unit for children treated at the new Kay Research & Care Center on the St. Jude campus.

"When you walk into St. Jude, you can immediately tell how much care, treatment and attention goes into making each patient's stay as comfortable as possible," said Alex Cohen, President of the Steven & Alexandra Cohen Foundation. "It is so important to Steven and me that all children – regardless of their financial circumstances or ability to pay – have access to the same medical treatments and level of care, and St. Jude goes above and beyond in every way. We are honored to help them continue to give unparalleled care to children and their families."

"We are deeply appreciative of the Steven & Alexandra Cohen Foundation for their generous gift to help our lifesaving mission," said Richard Shadyac Jr., President and CEO of ALSAC/St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. "The Foundation's gift will help St. Jude Children's Research Hospital continue to excel in providing the best care possible for our patients and their families, while continuing to search for cures for pediatric cancer and other deadly diseases."

The third floor of the new Kay Research & Care Center will be home to 17 of the hospital's 51 new inpatient beds, and will be named in honor of the Cohen Foundation. When complete, the new inpatient unit will offer an enhanced patient care experience, with digital technology and more room to accommodate patient and family needs. The larger rooms will provide the optimum environment for the renowned doctors and staff of St. Jude to continue to deliver the exceptional care that is the hallmark of the hospital. Patients are expected to occupy the new floors in the Kay Research & Care Center by July 2016.

The Kay Research & Care Center at St. Jude integrates patient care, research and education, encouraging the quick translation of science into lifesaving treatments.

The Cohen Foundation's gift marks the latest in a series of donations made by their foundation to hospitals and children's health organizations, primarily in the New York metropolitan area.

About The Steven & Alexandra Cohen Foundation:
The Steven & Alexandra Cohen Foundation is committed to inspiring philanthropy and community service – with a special interest in children's health, education, veterans and the arts – by creating awareness, offering guidance and leading by example to show the world what giving can do.
www.steveandalex.org

About St. Jude Children's Research Hospital:
St. Jude Children's Research Hospital is leading the way the world understands, treats and defeats childhood cancer and other life-threatening diseases. It is the only National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center devoted solely to children. Treatments invented at St. Jude have helped push the overall childhood cancer survival rate from 20 percent to 80 percent since the hospital opened more than 50 years ago. St. Jude is working to drive the overall survival rate for childhood cancer to 90 percent, and we won't stop until no child dies from cancer. St. Jude freely shares the discoveries it makes, and every child saved at St. Jude means doctors and scientists worldwide can use that knowledge to save thousands more children. Families never receive a bill from St. Jude for treatment, travel, housing or food – because all a family should worry about is helping their child live. Join the St. Jude mission by visiting stjude.org, liking St. Jude on Facebook (facebook.com/stjude) and following us on Twitter (@stjude).

SOURCE St. Jude Children's Research Hospital