Affiliations

In 2006 CHRISTUS Health became the Foundation’s principal corporate donor. CHRISTUS is an international faith-based nonprofit healthcare system comprised of more than 50 hospitals and long-term care facilities, 175 clinics and outpatient centers, and dozens of other health ministries. Funding from CHRISTUS Health is the major source of support for the Foundation’s cancer drug development program.

CHRISTUS Health expresses its core values as:

• DIGNITY  Respect for the worth of every person, recognition and commitment to the value of diverse individuals and perspectives, and special concern for the poor and underserved.
• INTEGRITY  Honesty, justice, and consistency in all relationships.
• EXCELLENCE  High standards of service and performance.
• COMPASSION  Service in a spirit of empathy, love, and concern.
• STEWARDSHIP  Wise and just use of talents and resources in a collaborative manner.

The Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word are a multicultural, international Congregation of Catholic religious women based in Houston, Texas. The Congregation was founded in 1866 to minister to the sick, the poor and the deprived, with a sense of church that embraces all God’s people.

The Congregation spreads its healing ministry to those in need through direct patient contact and sponsorships, including two of the largest Catholic health care systems in the nation, Catholic Healthcare West and CHRISTUS Health.

The Sisters of Charity have been active, loyal, and generous supporters of the Foundation for more than 40 years.

The relationship began with a deep connection based on empathy for patients shared by Dr. John S. Stehlin and Sister Mary David Gorman, the Congregation leader in 1967. Together these two visionaries created many “firsts” in humanistic cancer treatment at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Houston.

The Sisters were also instrumental in forging the relationship between the Foundation and CHRISTUS Health, ensuring our future as a research organization.

The Sisters’ spiritual guidance has helped the Foundation remain centered on people – on patients and their families – and most importantly, on FAITH and HOPE.