A new chapter in pediatric cancer care has begun in Albania. Hope 4 Kids Albania, a newly established non-profit foundation based in Tirana, has officially launched with a clear and powerful mission: to support children and young people affected by oncological and hematological diseases and to ensure they receive dignified care and equal opportunities for life.
Established as an independent, non-governmental, non-political, and legally registered entity without membership, the Foundation is dedicated to strengthening pediatric oncology and hematology services in Albania. Its work is designed to accompany families from the moment of diagnosis through treatment and recovery, offering support that goes beyond the hospital setting.
From Remembrance to Purpose
Hope 4 Kids Albania was created in remembrance of Lisari, Luna, and all children who could not overcome the battle against serious illness. Their memory is central to the Foundation’s identity, transforming loss into long-term action aimed at improving care for future generations. The message is clear: every child deserves not only treatment, but also dignity, protection of rights, and the chance to live a full and bright life.
Supporting Families From Diagnosis Through Recovery
The Foundation’s mission places children and families at the center. It focuses on providing psychological, social, material, and financial support to help meet real-life needs throughout the treatment journey. This includes easing the burdens that often come with care, such as transportation to medical appointments, temporary accommodation during hospital-based therapy, access to medications, and other essential daily needs that can become overwhelming during prolonged treatment.
Hope 4 Kids Albania also recognizes the importance of emotional well-being and normal childhood experiences during care. Its statute includes a commitment to psychosocial and community-level support, social integration, and activities that help children and adolescents cope with illness in a more supported environment.
Strengthening Pediatric Oncology and Hematology Services
One of the Foundation’s major goals is to support the Pediatric Onco-Hematology Service at QSUT “Mother Teresa,” as well as other hospital structures treating children with oncological and hematological diseases. The Foundation aims to improve infrastructure and strengthen access to modern equipment, medications, and clinical resources. It also prioritizes professional training for healthcare teams through workshops, scientific congress participation, and exchange of experience with international centers.
Another important pillar of its mission is the promotion of treatment protocols aligned with European standards. By supporting research, innovation, and the dissemination of accurate medical knowledge, Hope 4 Kids Albania seeks to help move pediatric cancer care toward consistent, evidence-based, and up-to-date practice across Albania.
Advocacy and Rights-Based Action
Beyond practical support, Hope 4 Kids Albania is positioned as a voice for advocacy. The Foundation’s statute emphasizes the representation of children’s health interests in national and international institutions, as well as collaboration with central and local authorities to improve service conditions and quality. It also highlights protections against discrimination and the importance of ensuring that children and families are included in policymaking and decision-making processes that impact healthcare, education, and social protection.
This rights-based foundation is reinforced by the organization’s legal basis, which is aligned with key national and international frameworks protecting the right to health and human dignity.
A Nationwide Mission With Long-Term Vision
Headquartered in Tirana, Hope 4 Kids Albania will operate throughout the country for an unlimited period. The Foundation plans to build partnerships nationally and internationally, strengthening pediatric oncology care through cooperation, shared expertise, and sustainable support systems.
Guided by a Board of Directors and led by Executive Director Ms. Albana Hidersha, with support from specialized technical committees, the Foundation’s structure is designed to enable both strategic oversight and practical implementation.
Hope as a Commitment
Hope 4 Kids Albania enters Albania’s healthcare landscape as a new platform for solidarity, advocacy, and action. Its mission speaks to a future where children with cancer are not defined by limitations of geography or resources, but supported through equal access to care, stronger systems, and compassionate support for families.
For every child fighting cancer in Albania, Hope 4 Kids Albania is more than a new foundation. It is a promise that dignity, care, and hope should never be out of reach.
Written by Nare Hovhannisyan, MD