(Note: This item will appear in the September-October factor of Forbes China. Click here for more information on the Forbes China 2020 Health Summit and here for a similar article)
By Ken Manotti
As the world’s largest and oldest personal cancer center, Memorial Sloan Kettering (MSK) is guilty of countless examples of pioneering studies and curative advances in oncology. From the beginning, philanthropy has been in our ability to innovate and raise attention criteria for others with cancer, not only at MSK but around the world.
This spring, New York, home to the fullest of our comforts, has become the epicenter of the COVID-19 pandemic. During this period, when isolation has become a necessity for most of us, I witnessed unprecedented displays of solidarity as our network mobilized in an incredible way to respond to the crisis.
Without hesitation, thousands of MSK staff members, both clinical and non-clinical, volunteered to be reassigned to frontline positions, adding comprehensive care and committed COVID-19 units. Our scientists have adapted their studies to improve the generation, diagnosis and remedy of the virus, focusing on its implications for other people with cancer. In fact, MSK’s Department of Laboratory Medicine temporarily developed its own COVID-19 check so that certain patients and staff have constant access to the checkup, even in case of national shortages.
The same detail of our system-wide reaction has been supported by philanthropic contributions. When we created the MSK COVID-19 Fund and called on our donor community, we were welcomed with unprecedented generosity, and more than $6.2 million in donations, a quarter of which come from new MSK donors. The budget helped cover a variety of emergency costs, from enthusiasts and check devices to monetary assistance for MSK that experienced financial hardship as a result of the pandemic.
This has also helped expand MSK’s telemedicine program, which allows us to continue providing exceptional cancer care while ensuring patient and staff safety. Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, MSK conducted approximately 39 telemedicine visits according to the day. This number has increased to more than 1000 per day, and we are
Continue to invest in telemedicine technology, adding virtual clinical trials, to expand our care to more people than ever before.
Although COVID-19 is still far from us, we are already beginning to face the effects of the pandemic, adding its economic consequences. In the United States alone, hospitals and fitness systems will likely lose more than $323 billion until the end of the year.
MSK has almost completely regained its pre-pandemic capacity, but for about 4 months we have taken the decision to delay safe surgeries, postpone appointments for new patients and discontinue laboratory studies for our patients and staff. The monetary balance, offset by the rising costs of non-public appliances and other life-saving supplies, the maximum costs of expanding our telemedicine infrastructure, and the significant investments needed to move thousands of workers to remote full-time work, has been considerable.
Philanthropy will be crucial to filling the voids left by COVID-19 and ensuring that the burdens of the pandemic are not transferred to people with cancer. Research, treatment, and education will continue, and with generous philanthropic support we will maintain the momentum we have established, building on years of progress to transform the future of cancer care.
At MSK, we are fortunate to have a strong and committed donor community. Through its partnership, we will triumph over the demanding situations of COVID-19 and continue to carry out scientific, technological and medical inventions that bring remedies and cures to each and every user with cancer.
Ken Manotti is the Director of Development at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York City. He has held leadership positions in the progression of education around the world, adding the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania, Columbia University, the American University of Cairo and the University of Chicago.