TEHRAN - Every September, the world comes together to mark Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, a time to honor the courage of children battling cancer, support their families, and reaffirm our collective commitment to advancing care and research.

The gold ribbon, the international symbol of childhood cancer awareness, reminds us of the preciousness of every child’s life and the shared responsibility we hold to protect it.

For the Society to Support Children Suffering from Cancer, widely known by its acronym MAHAK, this month carries special meaning. 

For over three decades, MAHAK has stood beside thousands of children and families, providing comprehensive treatment and support free of charge. Yet, the fight against childhood cancer requires more than medical care—it calls for awareness, collaboration, and action from all sectors of society.

This year, Childhood Cancer International (CCI) and the International Society of Pediatric Oncology (SIOP) are joining forces in a global campaign to inspire action, break down barriers, and promote the gold ribbon as the universal symbol of childhood cancer awareness.

In 2025, the global campaign led by CCI and SIOP will build on insights gathered in 2024 and turn them into solutions, showcasing regional initiatives that are reducing inequalities in access to care and advancing research.

Main goals of the campaign

•    Raise global awareness about the challenges faced by childhood cancer communities worldwide.
•    Mobilize the international community — including governments, NGOs, healthcare professionals, and the public — to engage in ICCD 2026.
•    Promote the gold ribbon as a lasting, global symbol of solidarity and awareness.

According to the World Health Organization, some 400,000 children are diagnosed with cancer annually, which means three children are diagnosed with cancer every four minutes. 

Of these cases, around 90 percent occur in low- and middle-income countries, where only a fifth of diagnosed children survive. In contrast, children born in high-income countries have a more than 80 percent chance of surviving childhood cancer. 

The difference in survival rates is one of the most significant inequalities across cancer types.

MAHAK was established in 1991 as a non-governmental and non-profit organization 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.

Photo: Arasb Ahmadian (L), chief executive officer of MAHAK, speaks at a press briefing on Saturday, September 20, 2025.