PHOENIX, AZ. – Banner Health and The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center are proud to announce the addition of pediatric cancer care for Arizona’s children. Banner Children’s MD Anderson Cancer Center will open in 2015 at Cardon Children’s Medical Center and Banner Thunderbird Medical Center. This program will provide a new level of cancer care to Arizona’s children through Banner’s unique affiliation with this world-renown cancer leader that offers state-of-the art pediatric cancer care through the most advanced treatment protocols.
Banner Health and MD Anderson first joined forces in 2011 with the opening of Banner MD Anderson Cancer Center in Gilbert. Since that time the program has expanded Radiation Oncology services to Banner Thunderbird and Banner Desert Medical Centers, and will open a radiation treatment program at Banner Boswell Medical Center in 2015.
“We are thrilled to extend our relationship with MD Anderson to Arizona’s children,” said Becky Kuhn, Banner’s Arizona East President. “Their pediatric oncology expertise coupled with Banner Children’s current cancer resources will offer Arizona families the comprehensive services needed to face a cancer diagnosis. Another valued benefit will be the development of Banner Children’s MD Anderson Cancer Center as a trusted resource for Arizona’s pediatricians and pediatric specialists,” Kuhn added.
Banner Children’s MD Anderson will offer the same multi-disciplinary approach to care pioneered at MD Anderson. Children will receive customized, comprehensive and compassionate care from a team of cancer experts who understand the special needs of young patients and their families.
“MD Anderson’s Children’s Cancer Hospital is one of the largest multidisciplinary pediatric cancer care programs in the nation and we’re committed to one mission—curing cancer in children and young adults,” said Laura Worth, M.D., Pediatrics Professor at MD Anderson. “We’re excited to combine our cancer expertise, research and model of family-centered care with Banner’s outstanding program, physicians and staff to offer innovative, research-driven therapies and the most advanced childhood cancer treatments to the children of Arizona.”
A critical component of Banner Children’s MD Anderson Cancer Center will be a stem cell transplant program for children with blood cancers and other blood disorders that will be established in 2015. Stem cell transplants can be used to treat cancers such as leukemia and lymphoma, and certain hereditary blood disorders, by replacing defective or damaged blood cells with new, normal ones.
More information will be available on programs and services as the opening date approaches.
Banner Children’s, part of nonprofit Banner Health, cares for more kids than any other health system in Arizona. From well-child exams to treatment of minor injuries and illnesses to management of chronic conditions, the experienced team at Banner Children’s provides comprehensive, family-centered medical care for every child in Banner Health centers and clinics, emergency rooms, hospitals and outpatient facilities. Services include: behavioral health, cancer care, diabetes and endocrinology, digestive care, emergency care, heart care, neurosciences, primary care, surgery and more.