By Paul Sanford, Tehran
The MAHAK charity is one of the most
impressive charitable organizations in Iran. Their aim is that no child in
Iran diagnosed with cancer has to go
without treatment because of lack of money.
Last Friday, MAHAK launched their
calendar for 2007. Iranian photographers have each donated
stunning photographs of children for the calendar, which can now be obtained
from the charity. The photographers
are
- Morteza
Nikoubazl
- Zohre
Soleimani
- Caren
Firouz
- Aslan Arfah
- Mohsen
Rastani
- Taher
Kenareh
- Omid Salehi
- Haleh
Anvari
- Peyman
Houshmandzadeh
- Hassan
Sarbakshian
- Alfred
Yaghoubzadeh
An exhibition of the
photographs was held at the MAHAK complex last weekend. The calendars, generously sponsored by a
number of Iranian companies, are available for 5000 toman each. Postage to the US is an
additional 2000 toman. For more
info please email info@mahak-charity.org or call +98 21 22451414.
MAHAK is a
wonderful example of how the need for a cancer center for children was developed
with much kindness and love into a fully functioning hospital. About thirteen years ago a mother
who had experienced having a child with cancer and had witnessed first hand the
difficulties faced by her child, pledged that she would set up a center that
would act as a sanctuary for children and their families in a similar
situation. With the assistance of
the same friends and relatives who had helped her through her own ordeal, a
board of governors was selected and the “MAHAK Society to Support Children with
Cancer” was set up as a non profit, non-governmental organization. MAHAK has been active from that day in
helping children with cancer and their families and has grown beyond anyone’s
expectations. MAHAK is funded
entirely by donations.
In 2003, MAHAK’s Hospital and Rehabilitation center in Darabad was
completed. The center is situated in Tehran’s north eastern hills and comprises
an 18000 square meters building equipped to accommodate up to 120 children, each
accompanied by a member of their family. The center houses diagnostic
and treatment wards of the highest standards, on a par with those seen
anywhere else.
Within
the center, there are other facilities offered such as a clinic, a chemotherapy
laboratory, radiotherapy section, physiotherapy ward, water therapy section,
operation rooms, M.R.I and CT-Scan, Radiology, ICU, library, children's
playroom, restaurant, amphitheatre and a shopping center. The various parts of the complex have
been furnished with the help of charitable individuals and as a gesture of
gratitude each section has been named after the donor.
The wards
were equipped and began operation in August 2003, when the first patient
was admitted.
The two
rehabilitation wards are fully functional and are laid out over two floors, with
15 rooms on the first floor for children accompanied by a female member of their
immediate family and with another 15 on the second floor for those children who
need to be accompanied by a male family member. There is also a playroom
provided for the children, a sitting area for the families and a
kitchenette.
Currently, these wards are run by 14 nursing graduates in three shifts around
the clock. Two social workers offer their services in two shifts of morning and
afternoon and two psychiatrists are available in the afternoon shifts. In the afternoons a number of volunteers
visit the ward to play with the children.
The Society’s
team of social workers is fully active in children’s oncology wards in nine
hospitals throughout Tehran, where they provide children and their
parents with medical treatment and support.
MAHAK pays
all related expenses including X-rays, test, chemotherapy, radiation therapy,
food, clothing and all accommodation during their treatment. Since 60% of the children come to
Tehran from the
provinces, the Social Work Department arranges for their transfer by ambulance
or airplane.
MAHAK has
been officially recognized by UNHCR as the organization which helps refugee
children (Afghan and Iraqi) with cancer both in and out of refugee
camps.
MAHAK is
entirely funded by donations from the public. You can join as a member (there are over
31000). It is also possible to
sponsor a child’s treatment by making a regular payment of 125000 toman per
month. If you wish you can make a
direct payment to Bank Saderat, Account 140059, Branch 4554, Tehran or Bank Saderat
Dubai, Account Number 2624-125050-102.
There are full details and forms available on the website.
For more information
about this amazing charity, please see www.mahak-charity.org
MAHAK
Hospital & Rehabilitation Complex
MAHAK St, Oushan, Lashgarak Road, Aqdasieh
Tehran, Iran. P.O Box:
19395-5445,
