Panda Express Charity Makes $25 million Gift to Huntington Hospital in Pasadena

The philanthropic arm of the Cherng family, the local founders of Panda Express, has donated $25 million to Huntington Hospital in Pasadena in support of the enhancement of the hospital’s surgical program. 

In 1973, Andrew Cherng opened the very first Panda Inn in Pasadena at 3488 East Foothill Blvd. with his father Chef Ming-Tsai Cherng. 

A decade later, the very first Panda Express was established as the fast casual version of the more traditional Panda Inn. 

Huntington Hospital recently hosted a reception to honor the Foundation and named the West Tower on Huntington’s campus as the Cherng Family West Tower. 

The Cherngs have a long history of supporting Huntington Hospital. Their gifts over the years have helped save the lives of countless individuals in the region, from the smallest newborns to the most complex trauma patients. 

“I’m incredibly grateful for the Cherng family’s investment in our hospital and healthcare for the community,” Dr. Lori J. Morgan, president and CEO of Huntington Health, said. “Their generous gift helps secure Huntington’s future as a leader in surgical care as one of the top hospitals in our region, touching the lives of hundreds of thousands of patients in the years to come.”

The Cherngs have also coordinated a donation of personal protective equipment (PPE) through the Panda Cares Foundation and its COVID-19 Community Care Fund supporting the health of Huntington’s caregivers.

“We are proud to display their family name on our campus as a symbol of their commitment to our local community and the lifesaving care they are supporting through their generosity,” Jane Haderlein, SVP of philanthropy and public relations at Huntington Health, said. “We feel fortunate to consider them lifelong friends and advocates of our hospital.”

To learn more about Andrew and Peggy Cherng and the impact they have made through the Panda Cares Foundation, visit: www.pandacares.org. 

For details on how to support Huntington Hospital, visit: https://giving.huntingtonhospital.com.