Elizabeth Whittington, Senior Director, Executive Communications at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, shared a post on LinkedIn:
“At the United Nations this week, the president and CEO of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Dr. James Downing, reminded us that world-changing initiatives can start small.
He shared how an ambitious goal to increase childhood cancer survival rates globally was first imagined over a collaborative dinner and drafted on the back of a napkin.
What began as an idea is now a global effort with the World Health Organization to help children with cancer, and now also children with sickle cell disease, have a long and healthy life – no matter where they live.
Listening to organizational leaders, ministers of health, survivors of childhood cancer and sickle cell, influential First Ladies from around the world, and St Jude leaders, I heard one recurring theme: this is urgent and important work that no one organization, country, or person can do alone.
I left so grateful to be part of an organization that can turn an idea into action, and one that can bring all these entities together for a common goal.
‘We can change the outlook for those children. By committing to these initiatives, by working together – every single person in this room working together – we’re going to change the way medicine is practiced across the globe. We’re going to change the outlook for those children, no matter where they live.’ – James R. Downing, M.D.
I’m also thrilled to bring back materials for the St. Jude Archives! It didn’t escape me that this was history in the making!”
You can also read OncoDaily’s post about UNGA 80.
