Polaris Program team enables Starlink connectivity at five global hospitals, visits doctors and patients in Philippines
As we look outward toward exploring the stars, the Polaris Program is committed to not only helping advance human spaceflight, but also tackling important issues here on Earth such as fighting childhood cancer and improving connectivity for those in need.
The Polaris Dawn crew recently visited the Southern Philippines Medical Center-Davao City, a St. Jude Global partner hospital in the Philippines. The team delivered Starlinks and met with patients and doctors.
Our team’s recent donation of Starlinks to St. Jude-partnered locations in five countries — Philippines, Brazil, Chile, Peru and Mozambique — will enable them to better communicate with doctors and researchers worldwide, transmit critical data, conduct medical conferences, and more.
“I believe that having a good internet connection will allow us to reach these kids, to communicate with doctors on the ground and to guide their treatment, to save lives and to decrease suffering for patients everywhere,” said Dr. Mae Dolendo of the Southern Philippines Medical Center & House of Hope.
During their visit, the Polaris Dawn team connected with other global hospitals through a remote teleconference.
“Simultaneously, we brought clinics in Peru, Chile, and Brazil online with high-speed, low-latency broadband internet provided by Starlink,” shared Polaris Dawn philanthropy director John Baum. “We look forward to Mozambique having service later this year.”
“Fast and reliable internet is crucial for these doctors to provide the best care to the children that make it to their clinics. Not only are these children fighting a terrible disease, they’re also faced with the challenge of access to healthcare from austere locations,” Baum added.
With 80% of childhood cancer cases in low-and-middle-income countries, expanding international hospitals’ capabilities in treating and researching cancer is an integral aspect of eradicating childhood cancer for good. The Polaris team’s visit to the Philippines represents another stride in raising funds and awareness for this vital cause.
“The Polaris Program is proud to continue partnering with St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and help support its vision that no child should die — anywhere — in the dawn of life,” said Polaris Dawn mission commander Jared Isaacman.
Photos below: Courtesy of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital
