Koç University Hospital Hosts Jim Clarahan

Koç Üniversitesi Hastanesi hosted Jim Clarahan, senior partner at RSM US LLC and founder of the "Ride 4 Dray" initiative, on 4 July to raise awareness of childhood cancers and build public understanding in cooperation with KAÇUV (Kanserli Çocuklara Umut Vakfı), Oncology Mothers and Umuda Pedal. KAÇUV (Kanserli Çocuklara Umut Vakfı), working together with Oncology Mothers and Umuda Pedal, hosted Jim Clarahan at Koç Üniversitesi Hastanesi, bringing hope to childhood cancer patients and families worldwide. The Drysontate Pediatric Cancer Research Fund, established by Clarahan in honor of his grandson Dray, who was diagnosed with a rare brain tumor at age one in 2019 and battled the disease for approximately four years, aims to support pediatric cancer foundations by raising funds to assist in diagnosis among children with brain cancer and save lives through awareness-raising. With this goal in mind, Jim Clarahan, who has traveled to 25 countries on his motorcycle and stopped at 11 children's hospitals and cancer centers to raise awareness and generate funds, made his first stop in Turkey at Koç Üniversitesi Hastanesi. Jim Clarahan visited Koç Üniversitesi Hastanesi, one of Turkey's leading cancer treatment centers, because of its emphasis on childhood cancer research and treatment, and had the opportunity to tour the newly opened Pediatric Bone Marrow Transplant Center. The Pediatric Bone Marrow Transplant Center, established to provide specialized treatment options for child patients awaiting bone marrow transplants in Turkey, began accepting patients as of 3 July 2023. At the transplant center, where detailed analysis and curative methods for numerous conditions ranging from leukemia to Mediterranean anemia are provided through a multidisciplinary approach, comprehensive treatments ensure that children's mental health is prioritized as much as their physical health.  

In remarks concerning his visit to Koç Üniversitesi Hastanesi, Jim Clarahan expressed great excitement about his first visit to Turkey and continued as follows:

"Turkey is among the pioneering countries in investments made in innovative health treatments and procedures related to cancer. For this reason, it holds great importance in combating childhood cancer. A step must be taken in the fight against childhood cancer. Why shouldn't Turkey be the first to take this step?" "After departing from Madrid, I reached Istanbul in more than 60 days. Over a distance of 11,000 kilometers across 17 countries, I visited institutions and organizations working in the field of pediatric cancer. It was extremely encouraging to learn that childhood cancer aid organizations I met in Europe were willing to cooperate. However, I learned that in most countries, funds created for childhood cancer research and treatment carry low priority. This makes our shared mission all the more important. We will continue our campaign for more funding and awareness until a cure for childhood cancer is found. When I started Ride 4 Dray four years ago, my goal was to raise awareness in society about the difficulties faced by children with cancer and their families. Beyond that, my greatest aim is for notable weight loss in childhood to be entered into the literature as one of the symptoms of brain tumors. Cancer affects not only the patient themselves but also siblings, parents, and even their careers. These children and their families need support. I hope our small journey in Europe will shed light on this shared goal and help create a positive difference."