News Releases

Project Peds - an international health initiative spearheaded by Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, Childen's National Medical Center in Washington, D.C. and World Children's Initiative, an international health initiative backed by Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh and Children's National Medical Center in Washington, D.C., has received a $400,000 donation from the Bush Clinton Tsunami Fund to boost its efforts to resurrect the pediatric ward of Matara General Hospital in tsunami-ravaged southern Sri Lanka.

Helmed by former Presidents George H.W. Bush and William J. Clinton, the fund has given Project Peds its single largest donation to date. It serves as an endorsement from two presidents who have learned to identify successful non-governmental organizations (NGOs) from their work in the White House and, most recently, through their months of hands-on tsunami fundraising at President George W. Bush's request. When combined with prior donations, the donation from the former Presidents moves Project Peds a full five months ahead of their 2006 fundraising plan.

"We are thrilled to be so far ahead of our fundraising schedule," said Chaminda Wijetilleke, Chair of the Project Peds Fundraising Committee. "The two presidents give to organizations like the Fulbright Commission and the United Nations Foundation -- strong, well-managed NGOs. People should say to themselves: 'The two presidents clearly recognize that Project Peds is going to get the job done."

Project Peds still needs to raise an additional $1.2 million in order to provide all of the critical care equipment, supplies, medications and scholarship programs needed for the pediatric ward. While still fundraising, Project Peds is also proceeding aggressively in Sri Lanka to advance the construction project. Recently, the Sri Lankan government requested that Project Peds, via its on-site project management team, join the Master Plan Steering Committee for Matara. By including Project Peds in this way, the Sri Lankan government is allowing Project Peds to protect the interest and healthcare needs of children in the master plan. The master plan will provide for a full overhaul of the healthcare delivery system in Matara and is expected to include provision for the construction of a new hospital in a different, more accessible location of Matara.

"We have to wait for the master plan to be completed," said Eric Hess, a Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh executive and a co-founder of Project Peds, "but the prospect of building a pediatric ward that is linked to a modern hospital instead of an outdated one makes it worth the wait. Construction will begin as soon as the team receives design and construction plan approval from the Sri Lankan government."

For more information about donating to or working with Project Peds, visit www.slprojectpeds.org. For more information about Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, visit www.chp.edu and for information about Children's National Medical Center, visit www.childrensnational.org.

Contacts:
Melanie Finnigan or Marc Lukasiak, 412-692-5016 or 412-692-5502