Dear Friends,
As-Salaam-Aleikum.
Twenty-one years ago, on the 29th of December, 1994, the Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital and Research Centre, Lahore opened its doors to patients. Our mission was, and remains, to act as a model institution to alleviate the suffering of patients with cancer, through the application of modern methods of curative and palliative therapy, irrespective of their ability to pay, the education of healthcare professionals and the public and to perform research into the causes and treatment of cancer. Against all odds, the Hospital became an institution which was unique in the world, in that it continued to provide financially supported cancer treatment, in line with international recommendations, to over 75% of its patients. This has only been possible because of your trust and enduring support.
One specialized cancer hospital cannot hope to care for the growing number of patients with cancer in Pakistan, and so we decided to construct Pakistans second Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital and Research Centre, in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, from where we receive the largest number of patients, after the Punjab. In 2011, the then Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Government donated 50 kanals of land to build the Hospital in Hayatabad, Peshawar. You will be pleased to know that, as a result of your unwavering support, we are nearing completion of the seven-storey structure, which has a total covered area of 450,000 sq. ft., at a cost of Rs. 400 crore, or four billion rupees. We have now reached the final stage in which we need Rs. 80 crore to help equip the Hospital before we open our doors for patients, Inshallah, on the 29th of December, 2015.
In the first phase, the Hospital will open Outpatient clinics, Inpatient rooms, an Intensive Care Unit, a Chemotherapy bay and an Emergency Assessment Room. Additionally, we will provide Radiology, Pathology (laboratory) and support services. In the second and third phases, the Hospital will continue to augment these services, as well as commencing Radiotherapy and Surgical Oncology services.
Over the years, my faith in the goodness of mankind has increased greatly. I write to you today to ask you to join me by pledging your support, and by donating generously towards the completion of Pakistans second Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital in Peshawar. This will go on to save thousands of precious lives in the years to come. You have never let me down, and I am confident that you will open your heart and contribute generously, once more, just as you have so many times in the past.
Yours Sincerely,
Imran Khan
Chairman, Board of Governors
Shaukat Khanum Memorial Trust