Rambam Medical Center and the American Friends of the Rambam Medical Center have announced a commitment of $10 million to support and name the Joan and Sanford I. Weill Pediatric Hematology – Oncology Department within the Ruth Rappaport Children’s Hospital at Rambam, and the Joan and Sanford I. Weill Israeli-Palestinian Friendship Center at Rambam. The gift is from Joan and Sanford I. Weill and the Weill Family Foundation. Sanford I. Weill is Chairman Emeritus of Citigroup Inc.

The Joan and Sanford I. Weill Pediatric Hematology – Oncology Department will comprise Rambam’s current Pediatric Hematology – Oncology Department and its Bone Marrow Transplant (BMT) Unit, which will be merged into a single, upgraded entity housed within the new Ruth Rappaport Children’s Hospital. The latter facility is currently under construction, and is projected to be completed in 2013.

The department’s new address in the Ruth Hospital will provide pediatric hematology and oncology patients and their families with a separate, entire floor to include inpatient and outpatient facilities, classrooms, playrooms, and age-appropriate visitors’ corners.