Endowed Directorship to Support Pediatric Oncology Care

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Jim and Katie Owens

(Peoria, IL / March 30, 2009) – Through the generosity of Jim and Katie Owens, Children’s Hospital of Illinois has established the James W. and Kathrine M. Owens Endowed Directorship in Pediatric Oncology. This Directorship will assist Children’s Hospital of Illinois, the St. Jude Midwest Affiliate, and the University of Illinois College of Medicine at Peoria in remaining at the forefront of pediatric oncology care.

Jim Owens is Chairman and CEO of Peoria-based Caterpillar, Inc. In addition to the Owens’ one million dollar gift, the Caterpillar Foundation has generously agreed to a matching gift, which will help provide the ancillary services, equipment, and resources needed to complement the various research projects conducted under the Directorship. Together, these gifts will make a direct impact on the health of the children of central Illinois.

“We are delighted to have the funding provided by Jim & Katie Owens’ generous gift, which will be used to improve the care of central Illinois children with cancer by promoting clinical projects in a variety of areas, including supportive care and family-centered care,” said Dr. Kay Saving, Medical Director at Children’s Hospital of Illinois.

OSF Saint Francis Medical Center CEO Keith Steffen echoed those sentiments. “We are thrilled and overwhelmed with this generous contribution that will provide ongoing funds for both Children’s Hospital and the St. Jude Midwest Affiliate, both of which are major components of the Milestone project. This Directorship will help ensure that Children’s Hospital and St. Jude remain at the front of cutting edge pediatric oncology/hematology treatment, thus continuing our commitment to providing outstanding care for our young patients and fighting this dreaded disease known as cancer.”

The St. Jude Midwest Affiliate diagnoses approximately 40-45 new pediatric cancer patients a year. Last year, the Midwest Affiliate had more than 2,500 pediatric outpatient oncology visits, with pediatric cancer patients spending nearly 1,400 days admitted to Children’s Hospital for chemotherapy, surgical procedures, and/or treatment of infections and other complications related to their cancer therapy.

Jim and Katie Owens have both been actively involved in Children’s Hospital of Illinois and OSF Saint Francis Medical Center. Jim currently serves on the OSF Saint Francis Community Advisory Board, and Katie serves on the OSF Saint Francis Foundation Council.