In Celebration of MAHAK Cancer Survivors

On the occasion of MAHAK Cancer Survivors’ Day, the celebration of MAHAK cancer survivors was held at MAHAK with the presence of its cancer fighting super heroes. Each year, for this day, we come together not only for the survivors, but for the families, friends and supporters who stand by MAHAK Children throughout this journey.

During this ceremony, which was held to commemorate the remission and full recovery of almost 5000 of children suffering from cancer, MAHAK supporters witnessed the result of their 24 years of contribution led to delivering comprehensive treatment and support services to cancer-stricken children and their families. Currently 13,586 cases are fighting against cancer with the help of MAHAK benevolent supporters. We hope that one day, we will celebrate the ‘farewell to cancer’ ceremony all together.

Prof. Mardawig Alebouyeh, a prominent oncologist, chair of MAHAK’s Medical Council and member of its board of trustees, praised the current services provided to cancer-stricken children and their families and mentioned the initial challenges of MAHAK’s establishment. He said: “covering the treatment and supporting costs of MAHAK children and improving the quality of their and their families’ life are MAHAK’s main concerns which have always been achieved by the help of our supporters. Now, after a quarter of a century’s experience, difficulties have been eliminated and services have been improved by strategic planning, collective thinking and team working.”

Prof. Alebouyeh appreciated MAHAK’s founder’s and the pioneers’ efforts and said: “by benefiting from public trust and help, MAHAK’s benevolent members established and equipped MAHAK Pediatric Cancer Treatment and Research Center to reach one of their most important goals which is offering all sorts of medical and welfare services to cancer-stricken children under one roof.”

In the end, appreciating public’s trust in MAHAK, he said: “MAHAK’s leading efforts in 1991 now has turned into a fruitful tree whose fruits are our cancer survivors.”

Dr. Azim Mehrvar, head of MAHAK Pediatric Cancer Treatment and Research Center, began his speech with paying tribute to the contributions of Professor Parvaneh Vossough in the field of pediatric oncology. Head of MAHAK Hospital described the future of cancer treatment in a bright and promising way and said: “at MAHAK we have never tried to save money when it comes to treatment and medication supply for the treatment procedure and never said “no” to any of the children”. In the end, he wished every year we would see a higher number of children recovered from cancer.

Afterwards, Shirin Sedighnezhad, manager of MAHAK’s local offices department, congratulated Kiana’s birthday, Mrs. Saideh Ghods’ daughter and the predicament triggered founding of MAHAK. Then, she explained about MAHAK’s presence in 15 provinces and 32 public and university hospitals around the country.

Subsequently, Behnaz Asangari, manager of MAHAK’s supportive services department, emphasized on the vital role of MAHAK’s supporters during the past 24 years without which supporting more than 23,000 cancer-stricken children would not have been possible.

Ali Fayazmanesh, manager of MAHAK’s volunteers department said: “managing the operations in an organization such as MAHAK is impossible in theory. MAHAK is an example that shows we are able to work together and if we go hand in hand we can establish and run an organization like MAHAK”. He mentioned that 800 volunteers work at MAHAK on a regular basis and added: “since the establishment of MAHAK, about 10,000 volunteers have reached out to MAHAK and today, we would like to express our thanks to our active volunteers who have worked at MAHAK during 2015.”

On the occasion of MAHAK Cancer Survivors’ Day, marked to celebrate life with our childhood cancer survivors, we would like to honor their struggle and reaffirm that childhood cancer is indeed curable and cancer is not the end.