Awareness Campaigns

Cancer Awareness at MAHAK: From Global Campaigns to Local Action

Throughout the year, MAHAK Charity Institute turns global cancer awareness messages into concrete action for children with cancer and their families across Iran. As an active member of the international childhood cancer community, MAHAK aligns its major awareness campaigns with the official themes announced by leading global organizations.

Every year, MAHAK implements two flagship awareness campaigns:

• In September: in line with the global Childhood Cancer Awareness Month movement and the strategic directions of Childhood Cancer International (CCI) and the International Society of Paediatric Oncology (SIOP)
• In February: in line with the theme announced by the Union for International Cancer Control (UICC) for World Cancer Day

Through these campaigns, MAHAK connects global priorities such as awareness, early diagnosis, equitable access to treatment, research, and community participation with national action.

Gold September 2026: Demonstrating Impact – From Challenge to Change

In 2026, MAHAK marked Childhood Cancer Awareness Month under the theme “Demonstrating Impact – From Challenge to Change.” The campaign combined media engagement, digital communication, technology, art, public participation, and activities within MAHAK Hospital to extend childhood cancer awareness across different audiences.

Activities during Gold September 2026 included:

• A Press Conference attended by nine media representatives, alongside broader media coverage of the campaign final report
• The MAHAK Gold Frame initiative, which engaged around 140 participants, including employees, volunteers, donors, visitors, artists, and supporters.
• Participation in ELECOMP 2026, connecting MAHAK’s mission with digital transformation, innovation, and Iran’s technology ecosystem.
• Campaign communication across MAHAK’s website, Instagram, LinkedIn, and MAHAK App, sharing educational content, updates, and awareness messages.
• Childhood cancer awareness content displayed throughout MAHAK Hospital, including elevator boards reaching patients, families, healthcare professionals, employees, and visitors.
• Participation by artists and public figures, who helped extend the campaign through their own social media channels.
• The illumination of major Tehran landmarks, including Azadi Tower, Tabiat Bridge, and Milad Tower, in gold as a public symbol of solidarity with children with cancer.

Together, these activities turned Gold September 2026 into a multi-platform awareness campaign that connected media, technology, public spaces, digital communication, and community participation around a shared message: childhood cancer deserves greater visibility, understanding, and support.

February: World Cancer Day – In Line with UICC

Every February, MAHAK marks World Cancer Day in alignment with the theme and strategy introduced by the Union for International Cancer Control (UICC). As a committed UICC member, MAHAK designs its February awareness and advocacy activities to reflect the key messages of the global campaign.

World Cancer Day provides a platform to:

• Highlight the importance of prevention, early detection, treatment, and survivorship
• Advocate for equitable access to quality cancer care for all, especially children
• Engage the public, health professionals, policy-makers, and media in a shared call to action
• Showcase MAHAK’s comprehensive, family-centered model of care and its contribution to global cancer control

MAHAK’s long-term commitment to World Cancer Day was internationally recognized in 2020, when the institute received the World Cancer Day Spirit Award from UICC—becoming the first cancer institute worldwide to be honored for fully implementing the campaign in alignment with UICC’s strategies.

A Year-Round Commitment Beyond Campaign Dates

While September and February are MAHAK’s two major awareness peaks, the institute’s commitment extends throughout the year. The themes introduced by CCI, SIOP, and UICC continue to inform MAHAK’s awareness, education, advocacy, media engagement, research, and digital communication activities.

By connecting international cancer awareness campaigns with local action, MAHAK continues to strengthen public understanding, community participation, and support for children with cancer and their families—moving closer to a future where no child has to face cancer alone.