Rendering of the Dale and Frances Hughes Cancer Center

EAST STROUDSBURG - Sanofi Pasteur demonstrated its commitment to Pocono Health System and the Pocono Mountains community as the company announced its donation to benefit the new Dale and Frances Hughes Cancer Center. The $500,000 contribution, presented by Frank Epifano, vice president, North America and Global Finance Commercial Operations, Sanofi Pasteur; and Phil Hosbach, vice president, Immunization Policy, Sanofi Pasteur; will be used toward the construction of the Center.

 “We are extremely grateful to have received this generous donation from Sanofi Pasteur for the new Hughes Cancer Center -- a project vitally important to our community as cancer rates grow four percent each year in Monroe County,” said Kathleen Kuck, president and CEO of Pocono Health System/Pocono Medical Center (PMC). “The new, state-of-the-art Center allows us to bring our world-class technology, protocols, physicians and staff under one roof, close to home for our patients.”

The design of the new Hughes Cancer Center will offer a healing environment, contributing to the health, well-being and optimism of local cancer patients and their families. The Center, which is scheduled to be completed this year -- complemented by an expansion of PMC oncology service staff -- will meet a critical need in the region, as cancer has now become the leading cause of death in Monroe County, according to the Pennsylvania Department of Health 2011 County Health Profile.

“Sanofi Pasteur is honored to partner with and contribute to Pocono Health System’s new Dale and Frances Hughes Cancer Center,” said Hosbach. “As a member of the System’s Board of Directors, I have seen firsthand the important and admirable accomplishments of this organization, and in particular, how their life-saving work aligns with our goals and interests at Sanofi Pasteur. We look forward to continuing our collaborative efforts toward a healthier Monroe County and a strengthened Pennsylvania.”

Kuck added, “I would like to thank the entire Sanofi Pasteur team for their kind support of this project and remind them how the lives of tomorrow’s cancer patients and their families will be significantly impacted in a positive way because of Sanofi Pasteur’s efforts in making the new Hughes Cancer Center a reality”.