Under the patronage of the Ministry of Health of the Kurdistan Regional Government, the Barzani Charity Foundation (BCF) and Soran University, with sponsorship from Empire Building the Future World, officially launched a cancer awareness campaign under the slogan:
“Together Towards a Society Free from Cancer – Awareness, Research, and Hope.”
The launch ceremony was attended by Musa Ahmed, President of the Barzani Charity Foundation; Dr. Saman Barzinji, Minister of Health of the Kurdistan Regional Government; Prof. Dr. Sherwan Sharif Qurtas, President of Soran University; Halgurd Sheikh Najib, Supervisor of the Independent Soran Administration; Bilind Ismail, Head of Branch 10 of the Kurdistan Democratic Party; along with members of parliament, academics, civil society activists, and other distinguished guests.
The joint campaign, organized by the Barzani Charity Foundation and Soran University under the patronage of the Ministry of Health and sponsored by Empire Building the Future World, was officially launched on Monday, July 27, 2026, during a ceremony held at the Central Library Hall of Soran University.
Held under the slogan “Together Towards a Society Free from Cancer – Awareness, Research, and Hope,” the campaign aims to promote public awareness, encourage scientific research, and inspire hope in the fight against cancer through collaborative efforts among public institutions, academia, and civil society.
Dr. Rizgar Saeed Hussein, Chair of the Preparatory Committee for the Cancer Awareness Campaign: “This is a strategic campaign that will continue for one year, extending beyond individuals to reach the entire community.”
At the opening of the campaign’s launch ceremony, Prof. Dr. Rizgar Saeed Hussein, Chair of the Preparatory Committee for the Cancer Awareness Campaign, welcomed the attendees and outlined the planning process, objectives, and responsibilities of the committee.
He emphasized that the campaign is a one-year strategic initiative jointly organized by Soran University and the Barzani Charity Foundation, designed to go beyond individual awareness and engage the entire community.
He added: “The primary objectives of this campaign are to raise public awareness and promote community health, advance and support scientific research, and strengthen coordination among relevant institutions to ensure a scientific and effective response to cancer.”
Dr. Sherwan Sharif Qurtas, President of Soran University: “Raising public awareness is a fundamental step toward a scientific and effective response to cancer.”
Prof. Dr. Sherwan Sharif Qurtas, President of Soran University, then delivered a speech in which he welcomed the attendees and described cancer as “a hidden blow” that can strike anyone in society without warning. He stressed that raising public awareness is one of the most essential approaches to achieving a scientific and effective response to the disease.
In another part of his remarks, the President of Soran University noted that the Ministry of Health of the Kurdistan Regional Government has brought hope to thousands of cancer patients and continues to provide treatment and healthcare services to tens of thousands of people, playing a vital role in patient care.
He added, however, that the educational dimension of cancer prevention is far broader and cannot be the responsibility of the Ministry of Health alone. Instead, it requires the collective efforts of all institutions, particularly educational institutions and universities, which have a responsibility to engage with the public through scientific outreach and awareness programs that help people adopt healthier lifestyles and make informed decisions to reduce the risk of cancer.
Musa Ahmed, President of the Barzani Charity Foundation: “The Barzani Charity Foundation serves every individual who carries a message of hope for cancer patients.”
Musa Ahmed, President of the Barzani Charity Foundation (BCF), welcomed the attendees and highlighted the significance of the campaign in his address.
“We are delighted that today we are serving the people of the beloved Soran region and Soran University through an initiative that represents another important dimension of the Barzani Charity Foundation’s humanitarian work,” he said.
He added, “We take pride in the fact that we have never allowed any major humanitarian initiative or meaningful community responsibility to move forward without the Barzani Charity Foundation playing its part.”
He also reaffirmed the Foundation’s commitment, stating: “With the continued support and guidance of President Masoud Barzani and His Excellency Mr. Masrour Barzani, Chairman of the Board of the Barzani Charity Foundation, we remain fully committed to supporting every initiative that serves our society.”
Continuing his remarks, Musa Ahmed described cancer as one of the greatest challenges facing society, explaining that it places an enormous burden on patients and their families, not only in terms of health and psychological well-being, but also financially, particularly for low-income households and those living with chronic illnesses.
He expressed pride in launching the campaign in partnership with Soran University through a scientific and evidence-based approach, under the patronage of the Ministry of Health of the Kurdistan Regional Government.
“We hope this campaign can be expanded to all parts of the Kurdistan Region,” he said. “It requires continuous scientific research so that, together, we can bring hope to those who are fighting this disease.”
The President of the Barzani Charity Foundation also referred to the Foundation’s National Campaign on Public Awareness and Combating Drug Abuse, noting that over the past year BCF teams, working alongside religious leaders, teachers, educational institutions, public figures, and media outlets, have presented a successful model of community cooperation that has become one of the region’s most notable awareness initiatives.
Concluding his speech, he emphasized the importance of teamwork and partnership, saying: “The most successful initiatives are those carried out collectively. The Barzani Charity Foundation is dedicated to serving every individual who carries a message of hope, with the goal of inspiring hope in the hearts of those battling cancer.”
Dr. Saman Barzinji, Minister of Health of the Kurdistan Regional Government: “As in many other countries, a portion of the revenue generated from concerts, festivals, and sporting events in the Kurdistan Region could be allocated to the Cancer Fund.”
Dr. Saman Barzinji, Minister of Health of the Kurdistan Regional Government, welcomed the attendees and expressed his appreciation for the launch of what he described as an important and strategic campaign initiated by the Barzani Charity Foundation (BCF) in coordination with Soran University to combat cancer and reduce its prevalence.
The Minister emphasized that the one-year campaign has the potential to become a successful model that can be replicated across the Kurdistan Region. He noted that it will play an important role in advancing public health through cancer prevention, early detection, and reducing the incidence of the disease.
During his remarks, Dr. Barzinji thanked the Barzani Charity Foundation and Soran University for taking the initiative, highlighting the Foundation’s longstanding support for the Ministry of Health. He stated that BCF has provided countless forms of assistance to the health sector and has consistently proven to be a genuine partner dedicated to serving society, not only within the Kurdistan Region but also beyond its borders.
He further stressed the importance of scientific research conducted by leading academic institutions such as Soran University, noting that such research can provide objective, evidence-based findings on the causes of cancer, effective treatment approaches, and strategies to reduce the disease’s prevalence.
Dr. Barzinji also stated: ” His Excellency Prime Minister Masrour Barzani has consistently supported the development of cancer services. One of the Region’s most important strategic healthcare projects, the construction of a state-of-the-art cancer hospital, among the most advanced in the Middle East, has now reached its final stage.”
Concluding his speech, the Minister proposed that, as practiced in many countries, a portion of the revenues generated from concerts, festivals, and sporting events in the Kurdistan Region should be dedicated to the Cancer Fund. He also called on public figures, investors, philanthropists, and charitable donors to provide greater support for the fund.
At the conclusion of the ceremony, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for implementing the campaign was signed by Dr. Kamaran Mala Mohammed, Director General of Health in Soran; Dr. Samir Mustafa, Acting Director of the Scientific Research Center at Soran University; and Dr. Abbas Azad, Head of the Health Unit at the Barzani Charity Foundation.
