Yazan, Lebanon
Imagine a two-and-a-half-year-old boy named Yazan, full of life, filled with energy, playful and a little hyper. Then, suddenly everything changed. What started as a simple fever, a minor bump to the nose, quickly revealed something far more serious. It was when Yazan was diagnosed with a rare and aggressive form of brain tumor—SARCOMA.
His mother, heartbroken yet determined, rushed him to the hospital. Yazan’s condition was critical, and the tumor was much bigger than anyone could have imagined. Surgery was a must, and soon after, the young warrior started his treatment journey.
The playful boy, who used to keep running around, making his presence known with his laughter, soon became a shadow of his former self. He stayed most of the time in his room, refusing to see anyone. His once joyful spirit seemed to vanish.
Even though Yazan was just two and a half years old, and you might expect that he wouldn’t understand much about his sickness, Yazan was incredibly smart for his age. He felt when people were anxious around him, especially his mom. He sensed when they were sad or worried. Yazan might not have known the meaning of cancer, but he knew something was very wrong with him. He was sad, tired, and confused, and the weight of it all was heavy for a child so young.
Yazan’s chemotherapy treatment started on the 10th of July 2023, and lasted nearly a year, with the final treatment still to come. Each day was a battle, a test of strength. But with every passing month, Yazan began to discover new ways to heal, with the help of the Wellness team not just physically but emotionally too. At the Children’s Cancer Center, during the Wellness program, he found a place that gave him the chance to express himself, a safe space where he could begin to rediscover his happiness.
It wasn’t just about medicine. It was about finding joy, even in the hardest of times. Yazan met new friends who shared similar experiences. Together, they laughed and played. Through art, Yazan learned how to express his feelings in ways he never knew before. With each brushstroke, he could release the pain, the fear, and the frustration that had been building up inside.
Yazan began to understand how to move his body again. He learned to find strength in movement, despite the scar on his face that made breathing hard, served as a constant reminder of his battle. Instead of feeling self-conscious about it, Yazan embraced it as part of his journey.
On the 9th of May 2024, Yazan finished treatment. His smile was brighter than ever. He was no longer the quiet, reserved child he once was. He was full of life, ready to embrace the world again.
Yazan’s journey with treatment has thankfully come to an end. Thanks to the generous and committed supporters of the Children’s Cancer Center of Lebanon, his access to treatment was made possible. Your support can help more children today, like Yazan, find happiness and healing. Together, we can give these children the chance to smile again, to play, to live without fear, and to dream of a healthy future.