During Leukemia Children's Week, Children Meet Istanbul from the Nation's Garden to the EuroLeague Stands

During Leukemia Children's Week (2-8 November), the Bizim Lösemili Çocuklar Foundation is holding four events in Istanbul for children fighting leukemia and their families. The programme consists of a nature day at the Atatürk Airport Nation's Garden, expert talks at Haliç University, a Bosphorus tour on the Valide Sultan ship and the Anadolu Efes–Paris Basketball EuroLeague game.

During Leukemia Children's Week (2-8 November), the Bizim Lösemili Çocuklar Foundation is bringing children fighting leukemia and their families together at four different points in Istanbul. The programme begins on 2 November at the Atatürk Airport Nation's Garden and continues at Haliç University on 3 November, on the Bosphorus on 4 November and then in the EuroLeague stands. The events aim to support the children's participation in social life beyond treatment and to raise public awareness of leukemia.

Prepared with the foundation's “Our Children Will Succeed” approach, the programme aims to make the children visible not through their illness but through their dreams, talents and achievements.

Kemal Bilal Aydın, Chair of the Board of the Bizim Lösemili Çocuklar Foundation, said the following about the Leukemia Children's Week programme:

Kemal Bilal Aydın, Chair of the Board

“As a foundation, we have stood by our children fighting leukemia and their families since 1980. Healing does not only happen in a hospital room. A child playing with friends, touching the soil, listening to music or cheering for their team in the stands is part of the healing journey too. The programme we have prepared for Leukemia Children's Week is the product of this understanding. We are bringing our children together with nature, art, sport and the students of Haliç University, which we founded. We also care that our families can reach accurate information from experts during treatment and stand in solidarity with one another. When we say ‘Our Children Will Succeed’, we say it not as a slogan but as a fact we witness every day. Our children deserve to be known not for their illness but for their dreams, talents and achievements. We invite everyone in society to stand by our children throughout this week.”

The foundation's General Manager Nurkan Karabulut said the programme was designed as both an informative and a social gathering:

“This week we will meet our children and their families at four different points. We planned the programme to combine talks where families can get answers from experts with experiences our children will enjoy. We thank Haliç University in particular, and all the institutions and volunteers hosting and supporting the programme.”

Nature, Play and “Balloons of Hope” at the Nation's Garden

The first gathering, at the Atatürk Airport Nation's Garden, will begin with a family breakfast. The children will play board games, try flying a drone and tour the “Master Hands” area featuring the work of artists and craftspeople. Throughout the day they will meet animal friends and pick produce grown from heirloom seeds with their own hands. The day will end with the “Balloons of Hope”, when the children send their wishes into the sky, and a gift draw.

A Day with Experts and Students at Haliç University

Haliç University, which the foundation founded in 1998, will host the children and their families on 3 November. After the opening speeches, topics such as nutrition and psychology during treatment will be covered.

The programme will also include a violin recital, music and a mascot show. The children will share their own stories with university students. The day will close with a hands-on kitchen workshop with chefs, which the children will attend with their families.

A Bosphorus Tour on the Valide Sultan Ship

On 4 November the children and their families will board the Valide Sultan ship at the Üsküdar waterfront and set out on the Bosphorus. During the tour, accompanied by simit and tea, a guide will describe the historical and cultural landmarks of the Bosphorus. The tour will end with music and souvenir photos.

EuroLeague Excitement in the Stands

At the final stop of the programme, the children and their families will watch the Anadolu Efes–Paris Basketball EuroLeague game at the Turkcell Basketball Development Centre from the stands.

The Bizim Lösemili Çocuklar Foundation points out that, alongside healthcare, children fighting leukemia also need morale, social support, education and opportunities to take part in daily life. The foundation will continue its work in these areas after Leukemia Children's Week.

About the Bizim Lösemili Çocuklar Foundation

The work of the Bizim Lösemili Çocuklar Foundation began in 1980, and the organisation gained foundation status in 1983. Since its founding it has provided financial, moral and psychological support to children fighting leukemia and their families.

In 1986 the foundation opened a 25-bed children's ward within the Istanbul University Children's Clinic. The bone marrow transplantation unit it established on 26 October 1989 became Turkey's first paediatric transplantation unit. That same year it pioneered bone marrow transplantation in children.

The Bizim Lösemili Çocuklar Foundation is the founding foundation of Haliç University, established in 1998. Today it continues its work in health, education, social support and awareness.