It was a cold winter day in 1989, that a two year girl Kiana, was having her monthly check – up when the doctors diagnosed her with an illness that would shake up any mother. Like any mother, hearing this, her mother “Ms. Saideh Ghods” went into a denial stage, not accepting the truth. Anyway, after a while with a lot of research and a lot of consultations with doctors and friends, She found out that cancer is a disease, like any other disease, has its own phases of treatment.

There were a lot of difficulties during kiana’s treatment. The medicine was scarce and very expensive. Not having enough information about cancer and the side effects of the drugs, - all these things made life intolerable for her mother “Ms. Saideh Ghods  ”- plus her daughter’s insufferable disease.

While referring to hospitals Ms. Saideh Ghods  saw fathers and mothers traveling far from disadvantaged areas struggling with financial difficulties-not having a place to stay, while their kids were being treated. Sleeping in the hospital yard or in the streets, knowing that cancer is a disease that can not be a one time treatment. This might take years and the outcome of all these difficult conditions sometimes resulted in the destruction of a family.

She became intensely preoccupied with the idea of providing a place for the families. She was constantly thinking of what can be done?
All that time some of the tests were not performed in Iran, so she had to travel to Germany with her daughter. There she joined some groups- with parents whose children had cancer – it helped her a lot and she thought what a good idea to form such an institute in Iran. But unfortunately this could not be done in Iran because of so many different cultures in the society, plus the fact that this disease was kept a secret amongst the families. They were not ready to come out yet. Therefore, she decided to first start helping cancer-stricken children instead of their parents.

In the year 1991, She registered MAHAK as a charity institute to support children with cancer. But she started this process from 1989 – when MAHAK volunteers became active in the governmental hospitals and universities.

MAHAK volunteers who worked in hospitals,  were helping the parents of the children with cancer – had badges- naming them as supporters for the parents of children with cancer. But because the word cancer was mentioned on their badges- and since in this world cancer was a taboo, MAHAK volunteers faced a lot of problems, therefore, the decision was made to take the first initiate of every word, and the word MAHAK was shaped. Of course, today the word “MAHAK” has an international meaning.

Seven to eight years after registering MAHAK as an institute to support children with cancer, Ms. Ghods saw the associations to support children with cancer increased and the society accepted this issue problematically. The children and their families were noticed, and special attention was given to them. This was a big step toward the main goal. Remembering one of the most important objectives was to build shelter for the families of the children with cancer, during their child’s treatment. It was the main goal as some of the smaller siblings who traveled with their parents so far from their home town had no place to stay.

The start of the Darabad building was when MAHAK supporters had collected enough money from the bazaars to buy land. After raising enough money from the bazaars, they decided to buy a piece of land. They succeeded in buying a 4700 meters land on the beautiful hillsides of Darabad. Now, They had to worry about building the shelter on this land. It did not take long, when Mr. Karbassi-zadeh who wanted to make his wife’s wishes came true appeared.
Through friends he had become acquainted with the name of “MAHAK” and may god rest his soul in peace Mr. Mojtaba Kashani arranged a meeting for MAHAK supporters to meet Mr. Karbassi-zadeh. It was then that Mr. Khakpour, one of the biggest supporters of MAHAK, gave Mr. Karbassi-zadeh all the information, and all the plans for the building, to be studied.
After about a week, Mr. Karbassi-zadeh gave his approval on the plan- but he had one condition: His wife “Afsaneh Dabiri” god rest her soul in peace had insisted on the fact that the building had to be in the form of a hospital not a shelter.
On his next trip, Mr. Karbassi-zadeh with the presence of the mayor, and the approval of the expansion of the building – invested 2 Billion Toman to start the construction.
Mrs. Afsaneh although very sick, made the trip to Iran to see the outline of the building – but unfortunately- she was no longer alive- when the Hospital was inaugurated. She left this world on the 25th of Khordad. In her memory, MAHAK staff,supporters and volunteers have  named that date “MAHAK’s Philanthropy Day”. The hospital was officially opened in 2007 and today it is a popular pediatric hospital in Iran and the Middle East. At the moment MAHAK has covered 16200 children suffering from cancer.