Tehran – Every September, it’s a time when the world can come together to respect the courage to reaffirm our collective commitment to combat child cancer, support families, and advance care and research.
The international symbol of childhood cancer awareness, the gold ribbon reminds us of the preciousness of all children’s lives and the common responsibility we have to protect them.
This month has special meaning as society supports children suffering from cancer, widely known by its acronym Mahak.
View of Mahak Hospital in northern Tehran
For over 30 years, Mahak has been by the side of thousands of children and families, providing comprehensive care and support for free. However, fighting childhood cancer requires more than medical care. It calls for recognition, cooperation and action from all sectors of society.
This year, Childhood Cancer International (CCI) and the International Society for Pediatric Oncology (SIOP) are working on a global campaign to encourage action, break barriers and promote gold ribbons as a universal symbol of cancer awareness among children.
In 2025, the global campaign led by CCI and SIOP builds on insights gathered in 2024 to showcase local initiatives that turn them into solutions and reduce inequality in access to care and research advancements.
Campaign main goals
• Raise global awareness of the challenges faced by the pediatric cancer community around the world.
• Mobilize the international community, including governments, NGOs, health professionals and the public, to engage in ICCD 2026.
•Advertise the gold ribbon as a lasting and global symbol of solidarity and consciousness.
According to the World Health Organization, approximately 400,000 children are diagnosed with cancer each year. This means that three children are diagnosed with cancer every four minutes.
Of these cases, approximately 90% occur in low- and middle-income countries, with only one-fifth of the diagnosed children surviving. In contrast, children born in high-income countries can survive more than 80% of childhood cancer.
Different survival rates are one of the most important inequalities among cancer types.
Mahak was founded in 1991 as a non-government and non-profit organization under the Ministry of Social Affairs for NGO activities at the Ministry of Home Affairs of Iran.
The noble idea of establishing a mahak was launched by Saide Gods, inspired by his personal experience of caring for a daughter diagnosed with cancer and caring for a daughter who recognized the challenges faced by her family in similar circumstances.
From the beginning, with the support of a group of volunteers, social work activities were carried out in public and university hospitals, but preparations for registering charities had already begun in 1989.
Founding members believed that charities could not achieve their goals through the efforts of only a limited group of benefactors, so Mahak was officially registered in 1991, reaching a wider donor base and expanding comprehensive support across the country.
The abbreviated name “Mahak” is derived from the Persian translation of its mission. “A society that supports children suffering from cancer.” The logo, a symbolic leaf of life, depicts a child and a family standing with hope.
Since its founding, Mahak has relied solely on public contributions, benevolent intentions and voluntary contributions. Organizing charities, distribution of donation boxes, and expanding their membership base are among the key measures taken to mobilize support from civil society.
Less than a decade later, Mahak has managed to improve child recovery rates by applying scientific and professional methods to care for patients and their families.
Mahak has always worked hard to maintain the dignity of his children and their families.
Mahak’s activities fall into three main categories: charity, hospitals and research. These efforts will only be useful for children with cancer in areas such as healthcare, prevention, treatment, healthcare and welfare services.
Mahak’s slogan, “Help 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 and families across Iran. At the same time, Mahak’s hospitals engaged prominent oncologists and doctors to determine treatment protocols and provide medical consultations.
In the field of research, Mahak collaborates with numerous national and international research centres, including the French Center for Gustave Lucy, the Royal Institute, the Avisenna Institute, and the Iranian Cancer Institute.
Photo: Mahak’s CEO, Arasub Ahmadian (L), will speak at a press conference on Saturday, September 20th, 2025.