MAHAK Hosts Press Conference to Launch Childhood Cancer Awareness Month Campaign

Tehran, September 20, 2025

MAHAK Charity Institute– held a press conference on September 20, 2025, to mark the Childhood Cancer Awareness Month and the global “Go Gold” campaign. The event brought together MAHAK’s senior leadership, medical experts, partner organizations, and members of the national and international press to highlight the importance of childhood cancer awareness month , early detection and effective treatment,  post-treatment, psychosocial and supportive services to children suffering from cancer, and their families. The gold ribbon shines as a symbol of care, unity, and support in this month. During the press conference, MAHAK explained about its comprehensive undergoing initiatives at childhood cancer from different features, and invited the society to join # GO Gold campion locally and internationally.

A vision for specialized treatment of all pediatric cancers

Speaking at the conference, Arasb Ahmadian, CEO of MAHAK, outlined the organization’s future plans:

“Between 2025 and 2027, in addition to brain tumors, we will pursue specialized programs in transplantation and sarcoma. Our vision is for MAHAK Hospital to have an active, specialized team for every type of childhood cancer.”

Ahmadian emphasized that September provides an important platform to remind society of the profound impact of cancer on children and their families. As a member of Childhood Cancer International (CCI) and the Union for International Cancer Control (UICC), MAHAK has been actively contributing to global awareness efforts for more than a decade.

He noted that over the past 34 years, MAHAK has built a comprehensive 5–7 year program to support children with cancer across Iran. Today, the organization provides financial and medical support to patients in 42 public and university hospitals nationwide, in addition to those treated at MAHAK Hospital.

“All costs related to medication and treatment are fully covered by MAHAK, free of charge,” Ahmadian said.

Rising costs of cancer care and need for systemic support

Ahmadian also addressed the rising costs of cancer treatment, noting that the average annual cost of drugs and treatment for one child in 2024 was 130 million IRR.

“Most cancer drugs are imported and very expensive, heavily affected by exchange rate fluctuations. Many are not covered by insurance, and we expect faster action from the Ministry of Health and the High Council of Insurance to include these medicines in insurance lists. Public donations alone cannot sustain such costs.”

Strategic transformation in treatment and digital innovation

Ahmadian further announced that MAHAK has been implementing two major strategies since 2022: Transformation in Treatment and Digital Transformation. The first phase of this strategy led to the integration of international protocols and the establishment of a multidisciplinary treatment (MDT) model for pediatric brain tumors, which has now become part of MAHAK’s routine operations.

He also highlighted ongoing projects, including the creation of Iran’s Childhood Cancer Data Bank, the launch of the MAHAK mobile app for donor engagement, and pioneering collaborations in artificial intelligence for automatic anomaly detection in children’s CT scans.

“AI can help ensure timely, accurate diagnosis for children across the country. If successful, this model could expand to other cancers,” he noted.

Expert perspectives on survival rates and treatment challenges

Dr. Mandana Tasbihi, Pediatric Hemato-Oncologist, highlighted global disparities in childhood cancer survival rates:

“While survival in developed countries can reach up to 90 percent, in Iran it stands at about 40 percent. Early diagnosis and timely referral remain crucial to improving these outcomes.”

She emphasized that brain tumors are the second leading cause of cancer mortality among children after leukemia. MAHAK’s neuro-oncology taskforce, combining national and international expertise, aims to reduce both mortality and post-treatment complications.

Dr. Mithra Ghalibafian, Head of Radiation Oncology Department, pointed to global inequalities in access to radiotherapy:

“Over 60 percent of cancer patients need radiotherapy at some stage, yet only 40 to 45 percent of radiotherapy equipment is available in developing countries. Increasing access to both equipment and trained professionals is critical.”

She stressed that MAHAK’s goal is to provide at least two-thirds of patients with the latest treatment methods, guided by early detection and minimally invasive therapies.

Partnerships for awareness and digital infrastructure

The press conference also highlighted MAHAK’s partnerships with the private sector. Reza Movahedi, General Manager of Brand Management at MTN Irancell, announced that the telecom operator has sent over 120 million awareness-raising text messages on childhood cancer to its 40 million subscribers over the past year.

“Our collaboration with MAHAK extends to digital infrastructure development, including telemedicine platforms, which can expand access to care nationwide,” Movahedi said.

Continuing the fight with hope and solidarity

Concluding the event, Ahmadian underscored the importance of national solidarity:

“Children do not understand wars or economic crises. They only need timely treatment and lifelong support. With the help of the people, our partner organizations across the provinces, and the media, we will continue to make this possible.”

Participants

The press conference featured:

• Dr. Hadieh Eslampanah, Moderator of the Conference and Manager  of International Development & Communications Department at MAHAK

• Dr. Arasb Ahmadian, Chief Executive Officer of MAHAK

• Dr. Mandana Tasbihi, Head of  Neuro-Oncology program at MAHAK Hospital

• Dr. Mithra Ghalibafian, Head of Radiation Oncology Department at MAHAK Hospital

• Samyar Mohsenifar, Chief Marketing Officer (CMO) at MAHAK

• Maryam Mohammadali, Manager of Public Relations Department at MAHAK

• Maryam Dainatizadeh, Deputy of Department at MAHAK

• Reza Movahedi, General Manager of Brand Management at MTN Irancell

In addition, representatives of MAHAK’s partner organizations — KASSA, Khorassan, and Taskin — also attended the conference, reflecting the strong nationwide network of collaboration. Members of the press and media participated actively, ensuring that the messages of awareness and solidarity reached a broad audience.