Cancer Patients Around the World to Receive Henry Schein ‘Comfort Kits’

Henry Schein, a foundation devoted to promoting dental and medical health, has produced more than 27,000 comfort kits for people fighting cancer in the U.S.

The kits, which are meant to make patients feel at home while receiving care away from home, were assembled by more than 2,100 Team Schein Members (TSM) globally. They will be given to both cancer patients and family members living in the American Cancer Society Hope Lodge facilities, which offer cancer patients and their caregivers free accommodations when their treatment is far away from their homes, allowing patients to focus on their care.

Built as part of the company’s second annual “We Care Global Challenge” – an initiative of Henry Schein Cares, the company’s global corporate social responsibility program — the comfort kits contain multiple personal hygiene and comfort items, such as mouth rinse, toothpaste, floss picks, hand sanitizer, and lotion.

“The Hope Lodge Program provides a free home away from home for cancer patients and their caregivers, but it’s more than just a roof over their heads. The Hope Lodge is a nurturing community that helps patients access the care they need. These kits play a large role in our ability to make our patients and their families feel at home,” Greg Murray, said in a press release. Murray is senior director, regional corporate relations, for the American Cancer Society.

In partnership with the global nonprofit organization Heart to Heart International, the kits will be distributed by the German Breast Cancer Society, the Canadian Cancer Society, the Australia-based McGrath Foundation, and the American Cancer Society.

“The We Care Global Challenge exemplifies our Company’s commitment to society and giving back to the communities we serve,” said Stanley M. Bergman, chairman of the board, and CEO of Henry Schein. “We are so pleased that our teams have come together to provide support to people fighting cancer, and to their friends and families.”

“By collaborating with Heart to Heart International, the American Cancer Society, the German Breast Cancer Society, the Canadian Cancer Society, and The McGrath Foundation, we have the ability to positively impact patients undergoing difficult cancer treatments around the world and, in doing so, ‘help health happen’ together,” Bergman said.

“Our mission is to make a difference and positively impact our society,” said Kim Carroll, CEO of Heart to Heart International. “Team Schein’s hard work and dedication helped us achieve these goals, and TSMs across the globe went above and beyond to make these incredibly important kits to help people fighting cancer around the world.”