The only goalkeeper in the world, who willingly stood to be scored on

Today, on July 6, 2014, Alireza Haghighi, the goalkeeper of Iranian Football National Team ‘Team Melli’ at the World Cup 2014, visited MAHAK to donate the jersey which he wore during the Iran – Argentina World Cup game to MAHAK children, along with playing a symbolic penalty shootout game in which he willingly stood to be scored upon.

Along with this program, MAHAK children decided to deliver their resolute message of “Cancer Is Not the End” to all their friends around the world by asking the World Cup Group F Teams (Argentina, Nigeria and Bosnia) along with the host country (Brazil) goalkeepers to do the same in their own country.

The full text of their Message:

“Life is filled with games.  Some are important, some are even more important.  We as Iranians are happy to have played in one of the most important ones during the World Cup 2014, but we’re more delighted that we shall be teammates in a much more significant game.

The start of our game was initiated by Alireza Haghighi, an Iranian Football National Team goalkeeper at the World Cup 2014, who with all his might stood to defend the team’s goal in Brazil.  He is the only goal keeper in the FIFA World Cup that while wishing health and happiness willingly allowed the children suffering from cancer to score on him.

Haghighi, donated his jersey which he wore during during the Iran – Argentina World Cup game, to the children who are suffering from cancer in Iran.  In return he received a memorial shirt as a gift which was painted by the little heroes of MAHAK who are grappling with cancer routinely.

These little heroes also prepared gifts for World Cup Team Group F (Argentina, Nigeria and Bosnia) along with the host country (Brazil) goalkeepers who were present at the 2014 World Cup: A customized shirt with their names along with memorable drawings painted by children with cancer in Iran, who want to fight cancer until it is defeated while spreading this message around the world that “Even with Cancer Play Continues.”

As our teammates in this game, and for the protection of all children diagnosed with cancer around the world, we are asking these four goalkeepers to contact one of the INTERNATIONAL CONFEDERATION OF CHILDHOOD CANCER PARENT ORGANIZATIONS (ICCCPO) members* in their country, in which MAHAK currently is a member of the regional committee to arrange a game with the same concept in order to attract the required attention which plays a big role in making everyone believe that “Even with Cancer Life Can be Exciting.”

*Argentina: Fundación Natalí Dafne Flexer

*Bosnia: Udruženje – Srce za djecu koja boluju od raka u FBiH (The Heart for Kids with Cancer in FBiH)

*Brazil: Casa de Apoio a Criança com Câncer São Vicente de Paulo

*Nigeria: Children Living with Cancer Foundation (CLWCF)

We all hope that one day, with the continuing love and support of such people; we can celebrate the victory of all cancer-stricken children against cancer.