As a leading international non-profit organization committed to giving blood cancer patients and those with blood disorders a second chance at life, DKMS aims to enhance the access to stem cell transplantation and improve the situation for patients in low-and-middle-income countries. A part of this effort is to support NGOs that offer pediatric patients and their caregivers a safe and affordable place to stay when they are not in the hospital.

In Chile, where highly specialized medical care is concentrated in a few cities, housing facilities have become essential for the healthcare system. With the increasing number of transplantations, demand for these facilities has also grown. As part of its Capacity Building Program, DKMS Chile has announced a partnership with Fundación Casa Familia to expand the non-profit's accommodation capabilities at its center in the Ñuñoa district of Santiago. For a minimum of 18 months, DKMS will fund the monthly accommodation of four young blood cancer patients and their caregivers.

Time is a critical factor for blood cancer patients in need of a transplant—the sooner the procedure takes place, the better the outcomes. “Temporary homes ensure that patients, especially those from the regions, have an adequate and safe place to stay during treatment—which is crucial in providing timely access to lifesaving transplants while increasing chances for a cure,” says Ignacia Pattillo, Country Manager of DKMS Chile.

“In each of the seven countries we operate in, we aim to address the needs along the entire transplant chain. Our approach is ‘in the country, for the country’—we work hand in hand with local partners to develop sustainable and effective solutions for the communities they serve. Teaming up with local NGOs, such as Casa Familia here in Chile, is essential. They have deep connections within their community and a unique understanding of the local healthcare landscape," says Dr. Elke Neujahr, Global CEO of the DKMS Group.

Fundación Casa Familia welcomes about 85 pediatric patients and their caregivers, primarily mothers, each year. In recent years, the demand for housing has increased: “Currently, we have a waiting list of four to five patients per month—a situation that, fortunately, will be solved with the contribution of DKMS. We hope that even more stakeholders will support this important work, as demand will continue to grow”, explains Monica Gana, Executive Director of Casa Familia.