CCCL Comes Together on World Cancer Day, United by Unique

The event brought together government officials, healthcare partners, international organizations, supporters, cancer survivors, and families, united by a shared commitment to advancing childhood cancer care in Lebanon.

During the event, Minister of Public Health Dr. Rakan Nasreddine announced that the Ministry of Public Health will provide full coverage for 30 bone marrow transplants to be performed at the American University of Beirut Medical Center (AUBMC) in 2026, serving Lebanese pediatric patients. He reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to ensuring access to cancer treatment regardless of cost or system challenges, while highlighting a significant increase in national spending on cancer medications following the expansion of treatment protocols. He also noted upcoming national early-detection and awareness campaigns, in addition to the allocation of USD 140,000 in support of CCCL for 2026.

Representing the international health community, Dr. Yutaro Setoya, Deputy Representative of the World Health Organization (WHO) in Lebanon, emphasized WHO’s continued support for pediatric cancer care within the framework of the National Cancer Control Plan. He praised CCCL’s leadership, adherence to international standards, and strong partnerships aimed at improving survival rates and quality of care.

In turn, Mr. Salim Zeenni, Chairman of CCCL’s Board of Trustees, highlighted the Center’s impact over nearly 24 years, during which it has provided free, high-quality treatment to more than 5,500 children, investing over USD 200 million in treatment, innovation, and psychosocial support. He stressed that early detection remains a shared national responsibility.

Welcoming attendees, CCCL General Manager Mrs. Hana Chaar Choueib underscored the importance of the global “United by Unique” campaign, reaffirming CCCL’s human-centered approach that treats every child as a unique case and ensures continuous medical, psychological, and social care, even beyond treatment.

Highlighting the medical impact of this collaboration, Dr. Miguel Abboud, Chairman of the Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine at AUBMC, shed light on the longstanding partnership with CCCL, which has contributed to survival rates exceeding 80% overall and 92% in leukemia cases, as well as the training of specialized healthcare professionals now leading programs regionally and internationally.

The event also featured a moving testimony by Ms. Roula Hamdani, mother of cancer survivor Youssef, who shared her family’s journey and the profound impact of CCCL’s holistic support. The gathering concluded with a symbolic art activity reflecting solidarity and the shared commitment embodied in the theme “United by Unique.”