Fundación Pérez Scremini

The Maestro Cares Foundation partnered with Fundación Pérez Scremini, a member of the St. Jude Global Alliance, to strengthen access to advanced pediatric cancer care and diagnostics in Uruguay. Fundación Pérez Scremini provides comprehensive, free-of-charge cancer treatment and support services to children and adolescents across the country.

Phase I funded the acquisition of specialized medical equipment for the foundation's CAR-T Therapy Center, supporting the first CAR-T Therapy Center in Latin America and the first center to offer this life-saving treatment in Uruguay. This pioneering department specializes in treating blood cell lymphomas in children and adolescents using CAR-T cell therapy, a revolutionary treatment that genetically modifies a patient's T-cells to identify and destroy cancer cells. The project expands access to innovative cancer treatment and increases the center's capacity to serve more than 2,000 young patients annually.

Phase II, Laboratorio de Biología Molecular, supports the expansion of the Molecular Biology Laboratory through the construction of a new 136 m² second-floor facility. The project includes dedicated laboratory spaces, sample preservation and storage areas, technical offices, and support facilities. The expansion will enable comprehensive molecular diagnostics for all patients, reduce diagnostic turnaround times by approximately 30%, increase study processing capacity by 40%, and improve operational efficiency. By strengthening diagnostic capabilities, the project supports faster, more accurate diagnoses and more personalized treatment plans, ultimately improving outcomes for children and adolescents with cancer.

Fundación Pérez Scremini operates the Pediatric Hemato-Oncology Program at Hospital Pereira Rossell. Its services include medical consultations, medications, hospital stays, meals, mental health support, research, and transportation assistance for children and families facing cancer.