The Chiron Foundation, a non-profit philanthropic organisation funded by Chiron Corporation has awarded a total of $140,000 to seven organisations for programmes assisting people living with cancer, lung transplants and pulmonary related illnesses. The recipients are the Okizu Foundation, Healing Journeys, National Children's Cancer Society, Friends of Cancer Research, Allergy and Asthma Network, American Lung Association of Washington and Second Wind. These grants will assist each organisation in its efforts to improve the quality of life for patients through the development of support and education programs and to raise awareness of cancer and pulmonary illnesses through outreach and advocacy.

Jay Grover, president of the Chiron Foundation. "The work of these organisations has a direct impact on patients and their families, which parallels our commitment to improving the lives of those suffering from cancer and lung and respiratory illnesses. As Chiron works to provide treatments for these diseases, we are gratified to know that these organisations are helping those who are currently suffering, especially children."

The Chiron Foundation's grant to the Okizu Foundation, headquartered in Novato, California, will support the organisation's oncology camp, a free summer camping programme offered each year at Camp Okizu to 300 children in treatment for or in remission from cancer. The oncology camp allows these children to experience being part of a close-knit group of friends and enjoy the challenges and excitement of activities that are not typically part of their life during these stages of treatment and recovery. The Okizu Foundation is dedicated to providing recreational therapy, respite and peer-support programs to meet the needs of all members of families affected by childhood cancer.

The Chiron Foundation's grant to Healing Journeys, headquartered in Sacramento, California., will support 'Cancer as a Turning Point, From Surviving to Thriving' - a free two-day programme designed to educate, inspire, celebrate and network anyone touched by cancer or other life-altering illness. The implementation of this programme furthers Healing Journeys' mission to promote and support healing by exposing patients, family members, friends, support people and health professionals to the integrative approach and practices of healing and accessing their ability to thrive, states the Chiron release.

The Chiron Foundation's grant to National Children's Cancer Society (NCCS), headquartered in St. Louis, will support the expansion of NCCS's Paediatric Oncology Programme, which provides financial assistance, emotional support, advocacy and educational programs for families with children suffering from cancer. The financial support provided by the programme enables parents to stay with their hospitalised child, and assists with out-of-pocket supplementary expenses. The programme also provides professional case managers to work with individual families to handle the emotional upheaval cancer causes in their lives.

The Chiron Foundation's grant to Friends of Cancer Research (FOCR), headquartered in Washington D.C., will support an ongoing educational and awareness project focused on opportunities to streamline and accelerate the process whereby potential new cancer treatments are evaluated by the US Food and Drug Administration. The programme objective is to make promising treatments available more quickly by working with top cancer research scientists, advocacy leaders and health care professionals to promote more efficient and consistent processes at the FDA for the handling of oncology products.

The Chiron Foundation's grant to the Allergy and Asthma Network - Mothers of Asthmatics (AANMA), headquartered in Fairfax, will support the organisation's Consumer Health Alliance for Safe Medication (CHASM) public education campaign. The goal of the campaign will be to alert vulnerable patients to the actions they can take to ensure the nebulised medications they take for respiratory conditions such as asthma, cystic fibrosis, pneumonia and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are FDA-approved.

The Chiron Foundation's grant to the American Lung Association of Washington (ALAW), headquartered in Seattle will assist in the development and mobilisation of a King County Lung Cancer Prevention Network to support and encourage informed public health policy development relating to lung cancer and its prevention, added the release.

The Chiron Foundation's grant to Second Wind Lung Transplant Association, headquartered in Largo, Florida., will support the development of a direct mail newsletter for the organisation aimed at educating lung transplant recipients and persons on the transplant waiting list on such matters as critical patient education and medical advancements, among others. This project will help patients become better educated on the lung transplant experience, with the hopes of assisting these same patients to obtain a better quality of life.

Established in 2004, the Chiron Foundation is an independent, non-profit organisation committed to improving lives through better healthcare, empowering lives through better education and enriching lives through better communities. The foundation awards grants in three major focus areas: health and medicine, education, and community.