During the meeting of 57357 Foundation’s Board of trustees on May 2, 2017, the decision was taken to nominate world renowned Egyptian American Dr. Mohamed El Erian as Honorary chairman of the Foundation and the 57357 Group in appreciation of his constant support to the Hospital and his love and devoted stand for his motherland Egypt.
El Erian accepted his new designation with great humbleness stating: “We are so proud to be associated with 57357 and ECN.” This took place during the annual Los Angeles chapter Fundraiser of the U.S. based non-profit 501C3 Egypt Cancer Network (ECN) attended by El Erian who is an active member on board of the network.
“The news of this designation was communicated during the LA fundraising event by phone from Dr. Amro Ezzat Salama, 57357 Board of trustees President, and Dr. Sherif Abou Elnaga, Hospital 57357 CEO,”, said Dr. Hesham El Seify, ECN Board President.
The Fundraiser, attended by 250 Egyptian Americans and Arab Americans from California, Nevada , Washington DC and Cairo, was blessed with the presence of Ambassador Lamia Mekhemer, the Egyptian Consul General in Los Angeles, Consul Ahmed Fhargaly, and his Excellency Consul Abdallah al Saboosi, Consul General for the United Arab Emirates (UAE). HE Consul Al Saboosi received an award on behalf of Sheik Khalifa ibn Zayed al Nahyan for UAE’s leading role in supporting 57357. Dr Hafez Ghanem, Vice president of the World Bank, was the keynote speaker of the fundraiser which included a rich, inspiring, and entertaining program animated by guest stars namely Mahmoud Kabil, Ihab Tawfik and anchor Hala Sarhan.
Ever since his involvement with Egypt Cancer Network, Hospital 57357’s sponsor and affiliate in the U.S., El Erian realized the importance of supporting Hospital 57357. For him, 57357 is not just “a hospital that provides cancer treatment and cure to thousands of children at no cost. “Simply put, it is a transformational institution that encourages, enables, empowers and inspires so many. And in doing all this, it also sets a standard for many others to follow,” reveals Dr. El Erian to the attendees of the event.
El Erian did not miss on any occasion to highlight what the 57357 institution stands for: a holder of true medicine, a vessel for change, and a unique humanitarian endeavor that impacts health care in a country struggling to improve its medical services. He also stresses its role in bridging the gap between Egyptian and American scientists and physicians for the benefit of the global fight against cancer and in bringing American Egyptians closer to their homeland and engaging them in a cause that is truly changing the lives of children in Egypt while promoting cutting edge research and advancement.
It was only natural for 57357’s staff and management to express their desire to have him as honorary Chairman after years of dedication, support, and passion to the mission of the 57357 institution.
Their plea, echoed by everyone at 57357, was achieved at an important point in time in the history of 57357 as they celebrate their 10th anniversary and embark on a journey towards capacity and program expansion to transform the Hospital into a Health Sciences campus.