Peggy and Andrew Cherng, the founders of Panda Express, have made a significant donation of $100 million to City of Hope, a Duarte-based cancer center. This generous contribution represents the largest single gift for cancer care ever received by the center.
$100 Million Donation To Setup Cherng Family Center for Integrative Oncology
They plan to use this money to set up the Cherng Family Center for Integrative Oncology. This center will work on blending traditional Chinese medicine, acupuncture, and other Eastern healing approaches with the regular Western methods for treating cancer. The primary objectives of the Cherng Family Center for Integrative Oncology include:
- Incorporating Integrative Care: The center’s goal is to bring integrative care into the services they offer to cancer patients, especially those going through chemotherapy, radiation, and other standard treatments. This approach is all about providing a well-rounded and supportive approach to taking care of people with cancer.
- Pioneering New Therapies: Thanks to the generous donation, the center can lead the way in exploring evidence-backed integrative therapies. This involves delving into research to understand how natural-based remedies, like traditional Chinese medicinal compounds such as baicalein and substances like white button mushrooms, might have the potential to slow down cancer growth and provide support to those dealing with cancer.
- Training Future Oncologists: Additionally, the center has a plan to educate a new generation of oncologists in the blending of Eastern and Western medicine. This training will enable them to bring these groundbreaking therapies to other medical institutions, making these innovative approaches more widely available.
Visionaries: Peggy and Andrew Cherng
Today, Peggy and Andrew Cherng, the visionary minds behind Panda Express, are embarking on a new journey—one that aims to transform how cancer treatment is approached in the United States. This remarkable donation, announced recently, marks the largest single contribution ever received by the Duarte-based center in support of cancer care.
This significant donation represents the largest contribution made by the Panda Charitable Family Foundation, a testament to their commitment to advancing healthcare. In the past, the Cherngs have donated over $5 million to the City of Hope, primarily funding research in natural-based remedies. This includes their support for baicalein, a compound found in traditional Chinese medicinal roots, showing promise in inhibiting various cancers, and white button mushrooms, currently under Phase 2 clinical trials to evaluate their potential in slowing prostate cancer.
The New Hope for Cancer Patients
The donation came about through conversations between the Cherngs and the medical experts at City of Hope, including Dr. Richard Lee, who heads the integrative oncology program. Dr. Lee is actively researching the potential of using cannabis to treat chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy, and he’s even received a grant from the National Institutes of Health for this work.
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This generous contribution will make it possible to conduct clinical trials on different plant extracts and natural products. The ultimate aim is to create treatments grounded in solid evidence that can provide valuable support to cancer patients throughout their entire treatment process.
According to research cited by City of Hope, approximately 40% of cancer patients already use integrative therapies, such as massage, acupuncture, meditation, and herbal supplements. However, these therapies are not universally available in all cancer centers, nor have they become a standard part of cancer care.
How Panda Express is Changing Lives!
Although the Cherngs relocated to Las Vegas in 2014, the Panda Express chain remains rooted in Rosemead. They continue to serve as co-CEOs of the chain, which boasts over 2,300 outlets and generates approximately $3 billion in sales. Forbes estimates their net worth at an impressive $3.1 billion.
The Cherngs’ philanthropic efforts extend beyond their personal foundation. They have contributed a total of $211 million through the Panda Charitable Family Foundation. Additionally, the Panda Cares Foundation, funded through in-store donation boxes and contributions from employees and others, has raised over $329 million, with a particular focus on supporting youth and community initiatives.
The Cherngs’ initial connection with City of Hope dates back four decades when Andrew Cherng’s father received treatment for lung cancer at the hospital. Since 2007, Panda Cares has organized an annual golf tournament benefiting the hospital, while their personal foundation commenced funding research in natural therapies at City of Hope in 2014.
Conclusion:
To sum it up, Peggy and Andrew Cherng’s incredible donation is set to transform cancer care by harmoniously blending Eastern and Western medical approaches. This paves the way for a more promising and comprehensive future in the field of oncology.
