Adly is 16 years old. He comes from Al Kantara East, a town near Al Ismailia. His father is elderly and sick. His mother is barely earning their daily bread. Lately, life has not been treating Adly fairly, not only is he struggling with poverty, but also, he develops severe pain in his pharynx and a swelling in the neck. The pain is so strong and persistent that he seeks the specialists in Ismailia, who after running tests, strike him with the shocking news that he has cancer and advise him to seek treatment at hospital 57357 in Cairo. 

The father is devastated but determined to do all what it takes to save his son's life. He travels with him to Cairo. Adly says of his first day in Cairo at Children’s Cancer Hospital (CCHE) 57357: "I never imagined a hospital could be so pleasant. The doctors gave me peace and comfort. The treatment quickly improved my general condition. My doctor, Dr. Lobna Shalabi, reassured my father that all services offered were free, including the meals. She said “All children admitted at hospital 57357, whether rich or poor, are treated equally as though they were all our own children." 

CCHE 57357 doctors diagnosed Adly with Leukemia which is the most common cancer in children. Thanks to the dedication and vigilance of each member of the healthcare team (physician, nurse, pharmacist, clinical research associate, social worker) Adly is provided comprehensive care for both his treatment as well as any side effects, thus improving his outcome and increasing his chances of cure. The over-all survival rate at CCHE 57357 for Adly's type of Leukemia is 79.5%. CCHE 57357 is confident that they will be declaring the same cure rates achieved in the developed world as the hospital moves toward its fifth year of operation.

Within months of arriving in Cairo, Adly was given the good news by Dr. Shalabi that he had successfully completed his treatment. His care team encourages him to embrace his condition and teaches him how to cope so he can move towards complete recovery. Soon Adly becomes comfortable traveling by himself to and from Cairo for his regular follow-up appointments.

Having revisited the hospital for the past three years, Adly acknowledges “This hospital has become my second home and its staff is my second family. I really miss it as my visits are shorter and less frequent."

Adly is able to dream again. “The minute I will know that I am totally cured, I will look for a job to be of help to my parents. I am grateful to all the people who contributed for the establishment of the Hospital and who are working for its success. Without them, I would have been condemned. Because of them, I am confident I have a future.”

Adly's father quickly adds: "if I could only add twenty more floors to this building so that it could be able to treat increasing numbers of poor children! We did not believe that Adly could be saved but thanks to God Almighty and the competent and compassionate staff of the hospital, my son is well again.”

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