History

The Society to Support Children Suffering from Cancer, widely known by its acronym MAHAK, was established in 1991 as a non-governmental and non-profit organization (registration number 6567) under the Department of Social Affairs for NGO activities at the Ministry of Interior of the Islamic Republic of Iran.

The noble idea of founding MAHAK was initiated by Saideh Ghods, inspired by her personal experience of caring for her daughter who was diagnosed with cancer and recognizing the challenges faced by families in similar situations. From the very beginning, with the support of a group of volunteers, social work activities were carried out in public and university hospitals while preparations for registering the charity had already started in 1989. Since the founding members believed that a charity could not achieve its goals through the efforts of a limited group of benefactors alone, MAHAK was officially registered in 1991 to reach a broader base of donors and expand its comprehensive support throughout the country.

The abbreviated name “MAHAK” is derived from the Farsi translation of its mission: “The Society to Support Children Suffering from Cancer.” Its logo, a leaf symbolizing life, depicts a child and family standing upon it with hope.

Since its inception, MAHAK has relied solely on public donations, benevolent intentions, and voluntary contributions. Organizing charity bazaars, distributing donation boxes, and expanding its membership base have been among the key measures taken to mobilize civil society’s support.

Within less than a decade, MAHAK succeeded in improving children’s recovery rates by applying scientific and specialized methods in caring for patients and their families, while also earning the trust and support of the public as well as the tireless efforts of volunteers.

MAHAK has always strived to preserve the dignity of children with cancer and their families, ensuring that they undergo the treatment process with hope and that families remain focused solely on their child’s recovery without additional concerns.

MAHAK’s activities fall into three main categories: Charity, Hospital, and Research. These efforts exclusively serve children with cancer in areas such as medical care, prevention, treatment, healthcare, and welfare services. MAHAK’s slogan, “Help us and let us help you,” reflects the essential role of civil society in supporting humanity with love and compassion.

By 2025, MAHAK had provided comprehensive support to over 45,000 children with cancer and their families across Iran. At the same time, MAHAK’s hospital engaged eminent oncologists and physicians to determine treatment protocols and provide medical consultations. In the field of research, MAHAK has collaborated with numerous national and international research centers, including the Gustave Roussy Research Center in France, as well as the Royan Institute, Avicenna Research Institute, and the Cancer Institute in Iran.