LÖSEV was founded in 1998 with the aim of assisting low income families in need of treatment for leukemia. LÖSEV, which helped 35 children and their families when it was first founded, now assists in the treatment of over 6,000 children with leukemia. The foundation not only deals with patient families that apply to them but it is also in close collaboration with state hospitals, providing orientation for families in need of assistance in these hospitals, as well as support towards treatment and accommodation.

ENHANCEMENT OF LIVING CONDITIONS

LÖSEV cares about patient morale as well as treatment, therefore it aims to improve the lives of patient families.

Funda Sungar, Trade and Public Relations Coordinator for LÖSEV, says that bone marrow transplant is the first thing that comes to mind concerning leukemia, but this is actually a last resort, adding, “Leukemia is a curable disease. We do our best so that the patient’s morale is high during treatment at the hospital. We consider treatment as a whole, with its physical and psychological aspects. As a result we have a success rate of 91%.”

THE IMPORTANCE OF DONATION BOXES

LÖSEV, which provides all treatment free of charge as well as meeting the needs of patient families, obtains all of its resources from donations. The donation boxes distributed all over Turkey and also located in the Ankara Esenboğa Airport Domestic and International Terminal are therefore of great importance. Funda Sungar says that, “The treatment period is spread over a long period of around three years. There is a maintenance phase of about two years. Therefore living conditions such as healthy nutrition, hygiene and morale need to be maintained so that the efforts made during the treatment period are not in vain. Unfortunately there is the risk of a relapse with this disease. The immune systems of children who receive leukemia treatment weaken following chemotherapy. Infections that for us would result in simple colds can constitute a serious health risk for these children. The conditions under which children will live after the treatment need to be enhanced in order to protect them from these risks. We consider all of our projects as long terms projects that are effective not only for the patients but also the families. The donation boxes distributed all over Turkey are small but very important; bit by bit, they generate our resources. The donation boxes you see in the terminals, as those in all the other locations, serve this purpose.”

“All of our social projects represent long term commitments. Our foundation works to create an impact, supporting solutions for social problems and assisting families. Bit by bit, donation boxes all over Turkey are generating an important resource for our efforts. We believe that the terminals in particular are a very good placement for the donation boxes.” FUNDA SUNGAR LÖSEV Trade and Public Relations Coordinator

CANCER IS A PREVENTABLE DISEASE

Besides treatment, LÖSEV also attaches great importance to awareness-raising. Instructing the public that cancer is a preventable disease and that it contains risks that can be prevented, LÖSEV representatives frequently organize conferences on this subject. This is where TAV Airports becomes involved. Within the scope of its social responsibility projects, TAV Airports provides great support to LÖSEV; for continuity of the treatment process, information provision and awareness-raising concerning leukemia.

TAV Esenboğa General Manager Nuray Demirer says that the objective was to form a bridge of support for LÖSEV at this transition point and adds: “We will conduct awareness-raising work first of all with our 6,000 full-time staff at the Ankara Esenboğa Airport, and then with passengers. We are ready to provide support in areas such as conference organization and setting up boards and stands. We can offer a variety of services that can facilitate the lives of patients’ families. For example, our affiliate HAVAŞ facilitates the transportation of patient parents and relatives. Moreover, we use our current resources to organize donation campaigns of toys and books

A LÖSEV VILLAGE WILL BE FOUNDED

Funda Sungar, Trade and Public Relations Coordinator for LÖSEV says that as what is required is a long term process, they will gratefully accept support from TAV Airports, which will greater facilitate continuity of the treatment processes. One of these methods of support consists in the donations made during the Feast of Sacrifice. Funda Sungar explains as follows the work conducted in this area: “During the treatment period, it is very important that our children eat red meat. People donate animals that we have sacrificed at the Pınar Integrated Meat Plant; with all the necessary religious procedures. This meat is sent to 6,000 families in vacuum packs for twelve months. We hope that many more people will participate in this meaningful donation thanks to TAV.”

LÖSEV presently provides its services through a hospital, a school and a guesthouse located in Ankara. It also has offices in Istanbul, Izmir and Diyarbakır. We are planning to open an office in Antalya soon, thereby reaching out to a greater portion of Turkey with our services. Another project by LÖSEV consists in founding a LÖSEV village. An area covering 13,000 square meters has been established in Gölbaşı İncek, in the province of Ankara and here there will be a village that will consist of guesthouses where patient families will be accommodated free of charge, a hospital, a workshop and a school. Cancer research will also take place here and esteemed scientists will be hosted. Nuray Demirer says that TAV Airports will provide support to promote this project and bring it to public attention.

“Along with the donation boxes placed in our terminals, our objective at TAV Esenboğa is to take part in many additional activities in order to improve the lives of patients and patient families that LÖSEV supports. For example, our affiliate HAVAŞ facilitates the transportation of patient parents and relatives. Moreover, we also use our current resources to organize donation campaigns of toys and books. NURAY DEMİRER TAV Esenboğa General Manager

EVERYBODY CAN CONTRIBUTE TO THIS PROJECT

Sungar says the following about their collaboration with TAV Airports: “The terminals operated by TAV Airports are places where thousands of people come and go, where people from many different cultures meet and where circulation numbers are very high. This exemplary collaboration has great possibilities because it addresses very wide masses and it is therefore very meaningful both for us and for TAV Airports. The message that LÖSEV’s short promotion film aims to convey is that everybody can do something within their means. There are people who wish to contribute but who do not know how to do it. The projects set up in these special meeting places provide guidance for people. We wish to continue creating projects that befit these two important institutions.”