Beirut: On the evening of Thursday, April 10, 2025, CHANCE Association successfully hosted a symposium at the Emirates Hall of the Habtoor Grand Hotel, in collaboration with the Lebanese Society of Obstetrics and Gynecology Congress. On the occasion of World Hemophilia Day, celebrated worldwide on April 17 each year under the theme 'Access for All: Women and Girls Bleed Too', the event brought together medical leaders, policymakers, and international experts to advocate for improved recognition and care for women and girls with bleeding disorders.
According to National News Agency - Lebanon, the symposium was directed by LAU Professor, Dr. Roula Farah, President of CHANCE (CHildren AgaiNst CancEr) Association, and featured presentations by internationally renowned speakers from the University of Geneva, Professors Alessandro Casini, Philippe de Moerloose, and Dr. Awa Babington-Ashaye. Their contributions highlighted the need for better awareness and collaboration in diagnosing and managing bleeding disorders in female patients, a group often underdiagnosed and undertreated. Endorsed by four scientific societies and attended by over 250 experts in various medical fields, the symposium included a panel discussion with prominent figures like Dr. David Atallah, Dr. Maroun Matar, Dr. Mona Alameh, Dr. Myrna Germanos, Mrs. Lina Abou Mrad, and Dr. Hanane Ziade.
A key highlight of the evening was the launch of an AI-powered, patient-focused initiative, designed to bridge gaps in disease education by providing curated, culturally adapted, and accessible information in Arabic, French, and English. This project aims to enhance disease management and promote better access to knowledge, thereby improving the quality of life for individuals with coagulation disorders in Lebanon. This initiative is expected to foster impactful partnerships with Lebanon's Ministry of Public Health and advance care at the national level.
Since its founding in 2002, CHANCE has been a source of hope for over 850 children and their families, covering more than 15,000 hospital admissions and securing over 5,000 essential medications. The association is dedicated to ensuring every child receives access to life-saving treatment. CHANCE has also led national awareness campaigns on early diagnosis of childhood cancer and blood diseases and provided psycho-social support through activities like art therapy. Following Lebanon's financial crisis and the 2020 Beirut explosion, CHANCE launched the Donate Medicine initiative to reduce waste by allowing people to donate unused medications to those in need.
As an Associate Member of Childhood Cancer International (CCI) since 2006, CHANCE represents Lebanon in a global network of 189 organizations across 98 countries. Dr. Roula Farah, CHANCE founder and president, has served on the Asia Regional Committee of CCI since 2014, advocating for equal access to treatment for all children with cancer worldwide.
CHANCE was recognized in 2015 as a top finalist for the best NGO award in health by Quality Systems International, Paris, and the United Nations Development Program. It is an active member of the United Nations Global Compact Network.
Since 2019, Dr. Farah has been a member of the World Health Organization's (WHO) Global Childhood Cancer Initiative Working Group. In 2020, she was nominated as a CCI representative for the WHO Global Initiative on Childhood Cancer for the Eastern Mediterranean (EMRO) region. In 2024, she was appointed as the CCI representative and co-focal point for the EMRO region towards the WHO for matters related to childhood cancer.
Lebanon's healthcare system is in crisis, but childhood cancer and serious blood disorders cannot wait. With survival rates reaching 80% globally where proper treatment is available, it is imperative to act now. CHANCE calls upon policymakers, global partners, and the public to take action to raise awareness, promote early diagnosis, advocate for stronger healthcare policies, and support CHANCE's initiatives to fund essential treatments and provide hope to children fighting cancer and blood disorders. Together, we can change lives.