Analysis

OMV Petrom donates 10 million euros to finance child cancer hospital

Romanian energy giant OMV Petrom, a subsidiary of OMV, has donated 10 million euros for the construction of Romania’s first pediatric oncology hospital. Five million euros will be used to purchase the medical equipment necessary to diagnose and treat childhood cancer, while five million euros will be used for electrical and sanitary installations and interior design works.

“Every child deserves a chance in life and I was truly moved to see so many Romanians supporting the hospital cause with individual donations,” said Christina Verchere, CEO OMV Petrom. Last year, more than 50,000 euros was collected via donations from customers at OMV and Petrom filling stations across Romania.

“We started this project from zero, but with the confidence that Romanians are able to take their lives into their own hands and build a hospital for children suffering from cancer,” said Carmen Uscatu, a co-founder Dăruiește Viață Association, the NGO constructing the hospital. “We’ve built this project brick by brick, thanks to the extraordinary support of people who have donated, as well as to the companies that sponsored us. Every contribution, no matter how small, has helped us move forward.”

“OMV Petrom’s decision is a real chance for children with cancer in Romania and their families and a confirmation of the investment made by each of our donors and our sponsors. It is a proof of solidarity and of how strong we can all be if we stand together, however big and small. We wish other companies or private donors follow this example, just as OMV Petrom followed the example of hundreds of thousands of Romanians and many other companies,” added Oana Gheorghiu, another co-founder of the Dăruiește Viață Association.

The Oncology and Pediatric Radiotherapy Hospital will be the first hospital specialised in pediatric oncology in Romania and will function within the Marie Curie Hospital in Bucharest. Patients will have access to everything required for the holistic treatment of children with cancer (surgery, orthopedics, cardiology, neurosurgery, ENT). The new hospital will be able to treat more than 300 children with cancer each year, as well as to perform over 9,600 oncological and non-oncological operations.

The Dăruiește Viață Association started the hospital construction project in 2017, relying on private funds (private and corporate donations). Construction began in 2018, with the hospital expected to open in 2020.