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MILWAUKEE, Dec. 18, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Children's Hospital of Wisconsin announced today it has received a $2 million gift from the Northwestern Mutual Foundation to support children with cancer and blood disorders. The Northwestern Mutual Day Hospital for Childhood Cancer, within the MACC Fund Center at Children's Hospital, will provide outpatient treatment for children with cancer and blood disorders.

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The Northwestern Mutual Day Hospital for Childhood Cancer will be built on the fifth floor of Children's Hospital and includes exam, treatment and conference rooms. There will be a community room that provides an environment of emotional support while care is delivered, and where patients and families may engage in play and educational activities led by specially trained staff. It also will include a pharmacy for dispensing medicines used to treat children with cancer and blood disorders. The Northwestern Mutual Day Hospital for Childhood Cancer is scheduled to open in early 2015.

"We are proud to support Children's Hospital of Wisconsin and their vision to provide the best care in our community," said John Kordsmeier, president of the Northwestern Mutual Foundation. "The Northwestern Mutual Day Hospital for Childhood Cancer will create a family-friendly environment that offers kids fun activities while undergoing treatment."

"We are so grateful to the Northwestern Mutual Foundation. This gift will go a long way in helping us create an environment to reflect our philosophy that family members provide critical emotional support to a child fighting cancer," said Peggy Troy, CEO, Children's Hospital of Wisconsin. "This space will align with the world class care we provide to kids."

"The support from Northwestern Mutual will enable us to provide the best and safest care to a growing number of children with very complex needs, while at the same time, allowing kids to be kids and providing family support in a safe environment," said Marcio H. Malogolowkin, MD, medical director, MACC Fund Center, Children's Hospital of Wisconsin; and chief, professor, Department of Pediatrics, Hematology/Oncology, Medical College of Wisconsin.

Children's Hospital is among the most experienced and largest cancer and blood disorders centers in the country specializing in the treatment of children. It is ranked No. 4 in the nation by Parents magazine and one of the top 50 pediatric hospitals by U.S. News & World Report.

Since the cancer program began in 1980:

• More than 5,000 children have received care through the Oncology Program, which provides highly specialized treatment for a variety of childhood cancers and conducts novel research. Children's Hospital is the only children's hospital in the state designated as a Phase I Center by Children's Oncology Group, an award given to just 21 centers nationwide. This means children benefit from cutting-edge clinical research trials and the clinical team is at the forefront of discovering new therapies. 
• More than 1,000 children have received blood and marrow transplants. The Blood and Marrow Transplant Program is internationally recognized for its expertise in allogeneic transplant, including unrelated donor blood and marrow transplants for a variety of childhood cancers and hematologic disorders.

Northwestern Mutual's Childhood Cancer Program is committed to accelerating the search for cures for childhood cancers and providing support for families battling the disease.  The program launched in July 2012 and has impacted more than 1,500 individuals touched by childhood cancer, funded more than 15,000 hours of research and helped 200 families travel for childhood cancer treatments. Through a variety of initiatives, the Northwestern Mutual Foundation and fundraising efforts led by financial representatives across the country has contributed more than $2.3 million to the cause.

About Children's Hospital of Wisconsin

Children's Hospital of Wisconsin is the region's only independent health care system dedicated solely to the health and well-being of children. The hospital, with locations in Milwaukee and Neenah, Wis., is recognized as one of the leading pediatric health care centers in the United States. It is ranked No. 4 in the nation by Parents magazine and ranked in 9 specialty areas in U.S. News & World Report's 2013-14 Best Children's Hospitals report. Children's Hospital provides primary care, specialty care, urgent care, emergency care, community health services, foster and adoption services, child and family counseling, child advocacy services and family resource centers. In 2012, Children's Hospital invested more than $117 million in the community to improve the health status of children through medical care, advocacy, education and pediatric medical research. Children's Hospital achieves its mission in part through donations from Individuals, corporations and foundations and is proud to be a member of Children's Miracle Network Hospitals. For more information, visit the website at chw.org.

About Northwestern Mutual Foundation

The mission of the Northwestern Mutual Foundation is to improve the lives of children and families in need. The Foundation has given more than $250 million since its inception in 1992 and is designed to create lasting impact in the communities where the company's employees and financial representatives live and work. We accomplish this by combining financial support, volunteerism, thought leadership and convening community partners to deliver the best outcomes. Our efforts are focused nationally on curing childhood cancer, and locally on education, neighborhoods and making our hometown of Milwaukee a great destination.

About Northwestern Mutual

Northwestern Mutual is among the "World's Most Admired" life insurance companies in 2013 according to FORTUNE® magazine and has helped clients achieve financial security for more than 156 years. As a mutual company with $1.4 trillion of life insurance protection in force, Northwestern Mutual has no shareholders. The company focuses solely and directly on its clients and seeks to deliver consistent and dependable value to them over time.

Northwestern Mutual is the marketing name for The Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company, Milwaukee, WI, and its subsidiaries. Northwestern Mutual and its subsidiaries offer a holistic approach to financial security solutions including: life insurance, long-term care insurance, disability income insurance, annuities, investment products, and advisory products and services. Subsidiaries include Northwestern Mutual Investment Services, LLC, broker-dealer, registered investment adviser, member FINRA and SIPC; the Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Company, limited purpose federal savings bank; Northwestern Long Term Care Insurance Company; and Russell Investments.

SOURCE Northwestern Mutual