On August 28, 2016, I will be competing in the Chicago Triathlon. At first, my goal was to challenge myself, to achieve something I previously thought was unattainable.

As I began training, and starting to think to myself how challenging and daunting of a task this might be, I thought about how it pales in comparison to the struggles faced by the people of Gaza. As an American-born Palestinian, I have been afforded opportunities in my life that many of these children have not. Further, these children are facing ailments beyond their control.

My hope is that with each dollar raised, I will make a small difference in another individual's life.  

The PCRF is pleased to announce the launching of a new project to build Gaza’s first and only public pediatric oncology/hematology department at the Pediatric Specialized Hospital in Gaza City.  Hundreds of children in Gaza suffer from many different forms of cancer and suffer not only from the disease, but the restrictions on their movement for treatment outside of Gaza due to the Israeli and Egyptian-imposed sieges, as well as a lack of medicine and services within Gaza.  Our goal is to emulate the building of the Huda Al Masri Pediatric Cancer Dept. in Beit Jala Hospital, which we built and opened in April, 2013, and is now a center of excellence for children in the West Bank.   This is a completely privately funded project that will not only save the lives of children in Gaza and reduce their hardship and the suffering of their families, but also save millions of dollars a year for the Ministry of Health, who are referring patients outside for care that should be available locally.  We ask you to join in this effort to support our effort to show love and compassion for our children in Gaza.