Barbara Nassar – A Pioneering Lebanese Center Offering Dignity, Hope, and Holistic Cancer Care

Hani Nassar, Head of the Barbara Nassar Association, recently returned from the MASCC conference in the United States, where global institutions gathered to discuss supportive and psychosocial care for cancer patients. He shared his reflections on the global recognition of the center and the urgent need for continued support:

“I went to America, and participated in the MASCC conference for institutions, which is interested in psychological and social support for cancer patients and their people, and rehabilitation. Frankly, I was surprised that most of the centers are hospitals, which organize activities.

And here they were surprised by the Barbara Nassar Center and the comprehensiveness of the services it provides in Lebanon. Our center is not in Metlow! With pride and all humility!

Everyone asks, ‘Who is it?’ And always my answer is ‘God will manage!’ But this answer is from my knowledge for Latar.

We worked on the principle that the center reaches a time that can finance its situation, but the work in all its departments. Since we have time away, we need every possible support!

We have started organizing financing activities that depend on all lovers and believers in our cause, and in very small amounts.

One of these activities is a charity draw on travel, you will find details on our social media pages.

The coupon is 5 dollars and the book has 10 vouchers.

Think of every patient you know, Think of everyone who lived this experience and said, I wish there was such a focus on my days, Think of everyone we lost with cancer.

And this time, instead of lighting a candle, it will be light after 5 minutes, donate to it, and help us lighten the lives of patients and their people.

And like what I always say, ‘There is no one above the head of a tent’.

God willing, we need you and we don’t need!”

Translated from arabic

About Barbara Nassar Association

The Barbara Nassar Association (BNA) is a community of individuals dedicated to improving the lives of those affected by cancer in Lebanon. Founded in February 2014 (R.N. 237/239), the BNA strives to provide assistance, guidance and advocacy to cancer patients, their families, and loved ones. Our mission is to support the emotional, social, financial, and spiritual needs of those on their cancer journey and beyond. Our community consists of patients, survivors, volunteers, supporters, oncologists, and healthcare professionals, all working together to save lives.

Who Is Barbara? A Story of Life and Hope

Barbara Nassar a mother of two, was diagnosis of metastatic breast cancer in 2009 and was informed by her treating oncologist that she has a very short life expectancy; she fought her battle like a heroine, a warrior, a conqueror for five years, challenged both the disease and the doctors, and amidst her sufferance she toured with her family 1,655 Lebanese towns for eighty days, as part of the “Lebanese Flag Journey” and struggled to raise awareness by spreading a message of hope to all cancer patients that “Love Heals”.

Barbara had a wish to establish an association that bears her name “Barbara Nassar Association”, after discovering the difficulties experienced by cancer patients in Lebanon, and she indeed registered the association officially just a few days before she passed away in February 2014.

Our Vision

Our Mission

• Lead the cancer fight and advocate for all adult cancer patients living in Lebanon.
• Provide emotional, physical and financial support for the patients and their families.
• Promote awareness on the importance of early detection and screening.
• Enhance the quality of life of those affected by providing wellness programs and support.
• Guide the patients during their journey from diagnosis to treatment and beyond.
• Ensure access and affordability to potentially life saving and essential cancer medications and healthcare services.
• Urge the Lebanese Government to take action to improve the quality of life for patients and to make decisions that will help to reduce the number of people getting cancer and improve survival rates.
• Save and Celebrate Lives.

Are we truly living up to our commitments and achieving our aspirations when we review our services and activities?

BNA Services and Main Achievements

1. Raise Awareness:

So far, the association has organized over 600 public lectures across Lebanon, in collaboration with hematologists, oncologists, and other specialists. Our awareness efforts reached their peak with the organization of the first and second Cancer Awareness Villages in 2019 and 2020.

2. Patients’ Navigation:

We support patients and their families from the moment of diagnosis; guiding them based on their guarantor, place of residence, and nearby hospitals. We help them find the most suitable doctor for their condition, identify laboratories for necessary tests, and locate sources for their medication. We also assist them in navigating the treatment process, making their journey easier. From the start, we welcome them and clearly explain what to expect. During the height of the economic crisis, our hotline received up to 300 calls per day—demonstrating the critical need for our navigation services.

3. Financial Support:

Patients turn to us for life-saving medications—often worth thousands of dollars—which they receive completely free of charge. To date, the total value of the support we have provided exceeds $10 million. In-kind assistance includes essential items such as medications, wigs, compression sleeves, and medical supplies like colostomy and urostomy bags.

Financial assistance: Prior to the Lebanese economic crisis, we also contributed to covering hospital bills and the costs of laboratory tests.

4. Patient Education and Psychological Support:

During the COVID-19 period, we launched patient support groups based on cancer types, holding regular online meetings where patients could share their experiences and encourage one another. In addition, our association’s medical council joined these efforts, helping to educate patients and raise awareness through various media platforms.

5. Advocacy:

As the economic crisis deepened, our WhatsApp groups were overwhelmed with obituaries, and we lost many of our dear friends battling illness. In response, we decided to close the groups and shift into action. Our first sit-in took place on August 26, 2021, in front of the ESCWA building, where we delivered a letter of protest to the United Nations representative in Lebanon. The demonstration was covered by over 40 international media outlets.

When Minister Abiad assumed office, he recognized that we had become a key point of reference for patients. He welcomed us and initiated coordination efforts, beginning with the automation of processes within the ministry.

6. Elevating the status of patients and amplifying their voices at both national and international levels:

We have brought about significant change within the MOH, becoming a shadow ministry for cancer patients.

For the first time in Lebanon, we now have a National Cancer Plan, and we represent the patient’s voice on its committees.

We have elevated the status of patients, joined the Union Of International Cancer Control (UICC), and received personal invitations to numerous international conferences, including the World Cancer Leaders’ Summit in the US, where we spoke about the transformative changes we have implemented in Lebanon.

Following that, Hani Nassar was also invited to speak at a conference in China that was attended by 22 million people. (34k in the conference hall).

Barbara Nassar Center: A Home for Cancer Patients in Lebanon

After ten years of dedicated efforts by the Barbara Nassar Association in supporting adult cancer patients in Lebanon, we have launched the long-awaited dream project for every patient and their family: The Barbara Nassar Cancer Center. This center aims to rehabilitate cancer patients and their families, both physically and psychologically.

It serves as a safe haven and a point of reference for cancer patients and their families, regardless of where they receive their treatment in Lebanon. This center is, in every sense of the word, a home of hope for them.

The building is an old, 4-story structure, 2100m2, situated in Achrafieh – St Charbel street – Lazarists bldg. The strategic location of the center optimizes its reach, impact, and collaborative potential in addressing the needs of cancer patients not only in Beirut but throughout Lebanon.

Objectives of the Center:

• Guiding adult cancer patients and their families throughout their treatment journey and beyond.
• Advocating for patients’ rights with relevant authorities and raising their voices nationally and internationally.
• Providing financial support by offering free medications and financial aid when available.
• Rehabilitating patients physically and psychologically through medical clinics, complementary care activities, and support groups to enhance their overall quality of life.
• Raising awareness about cancer prevention through lectures and conferences.
• Creating a space for patients and their families to connect, educate themselves, and build a supportive community that improves their well-being and resilience.
• Offering training and capacity-building programs for cancer patients and survivors to help them acquire skills or a profession, enabling them to achieve financial independence and sustain themselves.
• Promoting research on cancer care and patient needs to inform advocacy, improve services, and contribute to national and global knowledge.

Departments of the Center:

1. Laurel Garden:

Visitors are welcomed into a tranquil garden at the heart of the center, surrounded by olive and citrus trees. We have planted laurel trees, a symbol of victory.

A small stage is set for intimate celebrations, overlooking the “Bell of Hope.”

Cancer survivors, regardless of where they received treatment, are invited to ring the bell as a symbol of triumph. Their names will also be engraved on small bells and placed on the Victory Wall, serving as an inspiration for new patients.

To honor those who have passed away, their names will be inscribed on a Cedar Tree in the center of the garden, an eternal tribute, much like Lebanon’s iconic cedar trees.

Ground Floor:

2. Reception Area:

Patients and their families are welcomed and guided through their journey, helping ease the shock of diagnosis.

3. Free Pharmacy:

The center distributes donated cancer medications free of charge, regardless of their cost. The on-site pharmacist also assists patients in finding medicines that are unavailable at the center or through health insurance providers.

4. Medical Clinics:

Clinics are dedicated to both physical and psychological rehabilitation, including:

• Psychiatry and Mental Health
• Physical Therapy
• Pain Management
• Dental Care
• Colorectal and Urological Cancer Clinic
• Nutrition and Dietetics

Additionally, early detection and prevention clinics are available, specializing in:

• Gynecology
• Urology
• General Medicine
• Smoking Cessation

An MoU has been signed with Saint Joseph University’s Faculty of Medicine and Hôtel-Dieu Hospital, ensuring specialist consultations for patients. We are seeking collaboration with other prestigious hospitals to expand our network of support and enhance the quality of care we provide.

5. Barbara Nassar Shop:

This space helps patients maintain productivity and financial independence, ensuring that cancer does not hinder their ambitions for a dignified life.

First Floor:

6. Meeting Rooms:

Dedicated spaces for educational sessions and psychosocial support groups for patients and their families, along with a terrace overlooking the garden.

7. Wellness Department:

• Physical Activities Studio: Includes fitness activities, breathing exercises, dance, singing, and sound therapy.
• Art Therapy Studio: Includes painting, music, and other artistic expressions.
• Aromatherapy and Reflexology Room: Offers essential oil massages, foot reflexology, acupuncture, and other relaxation therapies.
• Snoezelen Room: A multi-sensory relaxation space to reduce anxiety, improve mood, and enhances well-being.
• Beauty and Self-Care Lounge: Provides skincare, nail care, hair treatments, and makeup services. Helps patients, especially women, boost self-confidence during treatment.
• “Book and Wheat” Library: A reading space supported by writers and poets, offering books that nourish the soul and encourage personal growth.

Second Floor (Under Construction):

8. Prof. Fadi Nasr Conference Hall:

A tribute to the late Prof. Fadi Nasr for his significant contributions to the work of the Barbara Nassar Association.

9. Two Additional Conference Rooms:

Designed to host corporate events, workshops, and educational sessions.

10. Cancer Awareness Museum:

An interactive educational space designed to host thousands of students and visitors annually. The museum aims to change the Lebanese mindset about cancer by teaching younger generations how to talk about the disease openly and emphasize early detection.

Third Floor (Under Construction):

11. Cafeteria:

A social hub that provides a peaceful work environment, a meeting space for events, and a smoke-free, healthy setting for relaxation, work, and social games.

12. Community Space:

The community space is divided into workshop rooms where cancer patients and survivors engage in creative artistic activities such as accessories making, crafting purses and other artworks, to ensure their financial sustainability.

13. Audio-Visual Studio:

A dedicated podcast and video recording studio for creating awareness content with specialists and providing a platform for patients to share their personal experiences.

Barbara Nassar Cancer Patients Academy

The Barbara Nassar Cancer Center welcomes thousands of cancer patients seeking psychosocial and community support. It is a place where individuals transition from being just “cancer patients” into “Expert Patients” and experienced survivors who are able to support others.

To achieve this, we have established around 20 patient groups, currently supporting over 1,000 patients. Each group focuses on specific types of cancer, providing guidance, navigation, assistance, empowerment, education, health literacy, and awareness-raising.

We also collaborate with prestigious academic institutions to offer master classes that help patients deepen their understanding of their condition and stay up to date with the latest medical knowledge and advancements.

Global Partnership

The Barbara Nassar Association is a proud member in the Union of International Cancer Control (UICC). As part of this membership, our team participates in the international congresses organized by UICC, such as the World Cancer Congress, and the World Cancer Leader’s Summit, in addition to undergoing capacity building training led by experts in cancer control.

The Barbara Nassar Cancer Center is also supported by the Multinational Associations for Supportive Care in Cancer (MASCC), and is working diligently to obtain MASCC accreditation as a “Center of Excellence”.

A Call to Lebanese Society

Although the Barbara Nassar Center started as an individual initiative, it is not exclusive to one organization. We continuously call on Lebanese society as a whole to contribute according to their expertise, ensuring the center’s mission is fully realized.