As part of the MedLife genetic testing program, David Popovici offered the first 20 gold bows made from his World Championship medal to children who have survived cancer
MedLife, the largest private medical services network in Romania celebrates one year since the launch of the first and only free program of genetic testing for children with cancer, with national coverage, in Romania by a special event…
MedLife, the largest private medical services network in Romania celebrates one year since the launch of the first and only free program of genetic testing for children with cancer, with national coverage, in Romania by a special event that took place today at Fundeni Clinical Institute. As part of this event, Multiple European and World Swimming Champion David Popovici awarded the first 20 gold bows, as a symbol of the fight against pediatric cancer, to children who have survived this cruel disease, thus making them Champions of Hope.
The bows given today are a part of the 100 pieces made from the medal that David Popovici obtained last year at the World Championship in Budapest for the 200 m men freestyle relay and which he donated to the MedLife program known as #SperanțaNuMoareDeCancer. Other 80 bows that were displayed today on a panel at Fundeni Clinical Institute are awaiting their champions.
"I am a champion, but this is because I managed to touch the wall faster than others. I swim fast, but I believe that my responsibility, and all of ours actually is to help others when we can. It is important to have as much financing as possible for this type of program, such as the one started by MedLife. They have made the first step and I believe that the State must also be involved more as the main financer", declared David Popovici, swimming champion and Ambassador of Hope of the genetic testing program developed by MedLife.
David Popovici's gesture comes to support the #SperanțaNuMoareDeCancer program started by MedLife, which, a year after its launch, has reached approximately half of the estimated number of children who are annually diagnosed with cancer. In this program, pediatric patients recently diagnosed with cancer benefit from one of the most complex sequencing tests in the world for oncological diseases, which analyses the mutations of 523 genes associated with multiple types of cancer. Based on the results obtained from the test, oncologists may choose the most appropriate treatments and therapies for each patient, depending on the tumor's mutational profile.
"Any champion must be supported by a team who takes care of him and treats him. Through this free genetic testing program for children recently diagnosed with cancer, MedLife's role is to help pediatric oncologists, in this case, the team from Fundeni Clinical Institute, to have all the required information, such as patient's diagnosis, tumor's profile, so that they can offer the most appropriate targeted treatments. We all want the same thing: for patients to be cured and to become champions of hope", declared Dumitru Jardan, biologist and head of the MedLife Genetics and Molecular Biology Laboratory.
The free genetic testing program for children who were recently diagnosed with cancer developed by MedLife boasts its collaboration with most of the pediatric oncologists from the country, the most samples having been sent by Fundeni Clinical Institute. Professor Doctor Anca Coliță highlights the importance of accurate classification of the disease's severity to offer patients the best chance at a customized treatment.
