Children’s hospital with focus on cancer in Bucharest marks one year of care and expansion plans
Romania’s first children’s hospital that focuses on paediatric oncology, built entirely from donations by Dăruiește Viață, a UICC member organisation, celebrates a milestone year with bold plans for a national paediatric medical campus.

Photo by Banu Stefan.
HIGHLIGHTS
- Over 3,500 children treated and 4,000+ procedures performed since opening in April 2024.
- Neurosurgery admissions rose by 70%, and a new polytrauma on-call service was introduced.
- The hospital features five relocated departments (oncology, surgery, neurosurgery, ICU and operating theater) and two new departments to be operational soon (radiotherapy and haemato-oncology), family-friendly rooms, and child-focused amenities like a cinema and indoor garden.
- Future plans include a unified paediatric medical campus, integrating all Marie Curie departments under one roof.
A year after opening the first purpose-built children's cancer hospital in Romania, UICC member organisation, Asociatia Dăruiește Viață (Give Life Association) is sharing early results and setting its sights on an ambitious next chapter: the creation of a national paediatric medical campus.
Inaugurated in April 2024, the new hospital wing at Marie Curie Children’s Hospital in Bucharest was made possible by more than 350,000 individual donors and 8,000 companies. Since then, the facility has treated over 3,500 children and performed more than 4,000 procedures, according to hospital leaders.
The impact is visible across departments: neurosurgery admissions are up 70% from the previous year, and a new on-call service for polytrauma cases has been introduced – a first for paediatrics in Bucharest. In addition, the number of patients admitted to the oncology department has tripled compared to the previous year, reaching 116.
The hospital includes five relocated departments – oncology, neurosurgery, surgery, intensive care and an operating theatre with five glass-walled operating rooms – along with state-of-the-art diagnostic and support services. Rooms are built with dignity in mind: a maximum of two beds, parent accommodations and natural light. The facility also houses a radio station, indoor garden, play areas, an observatory and a cinema.
Dr Ruxandra Vidlescu, chief of oncology, said the setting makes a tangible difference: “Children really do come in better spirits.” Her team now treats more than 100 children annually with multidisciplinary care, supported by partnerships with world-leading institutions like St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in the US and Prinses Máxima Centre in the Netherlands. These collaborations have improved diagnostics, enabled staff exchanges and ensured access to second opinions through international tumour boards.
The project has been a recurring focus for UICC, who reported on the hospital’s groundbreaking during the COVID-19 pandemic and again during its final construction stages in 2023. Now, one year on, Dăruiește Viață is deepening its role in Romanian healthcare by planning a connected medical campus to bring all services under one roof.
“#NoiFacemUnSpital began as a three-floor clinic and became a nine-storey, 140-bed hospital spanning 12,000 square metres,” said co-founder Carmen Uscatu. “But our vision doesn’t stop here.” Her fellow co-founder, Oana Gheorghiu, added: “We want to create the first paediatric medical campus in the country – a model for Romania and beyond.”
This next phase involves integrating the remaining Marie Curie departments into a unified complex. Initial designs are under way, and Dăruiește Viață is coordinating closely with medical staff and architects to align on needs. “This is about making excellence systemic, not isolated,” said Gheorghiu.
Beyond infrastructure, the association remains active in staff training and child-focused psychosocial programmes. One neurosurgery patient’s mother shared her son’s story of recovery and generosity: after learning how the hospital was built, he donated seven months’ worth of allowance, then asked to contribute again.
Throughout July, UICC is celebrating the efforts of its member organisations that strengthen cancer care in underserved areas and address gaps beyond treatment – from psychosocial support to rehabilitation. As it enters its second year, Dăruiește Viață’s initiative continues to evolve, offering a compelling example of how the work of UICC members can help close critical gaps in cancer care infrastructure.
Last update
Monday 14 July 2025