Pitt family give $US1m to Missouri hospital

Brad Pitt and his siblings have given $US1 million ($NZ1.59 million) to help open a new pediatric cancer centre that will be named for their mother.

Pitt and his siblings' families, Doug and Lisa Pitt and Rob and Julie Neal, gave the money to St. John's Hospital in Springfield, Missouri, Saturday in honour of their mother's passion for children's issues.

The hospital is opening the Jane Pitt Pediatric Cancer Center this summer in the town where Pitt and his siblings grew up. The donation will pay to hire the only pediatric oncologist and hematologist in the southwest Missouri region.

The new centre will make St. John's one of six affiliates of St. Jude's Children's Research in Memphis, Tennessee, meaning the centre will be able to participate St. Jude's clinic research trials.

AP