Science for Life: The International Science and Technology Center Supports a Charity Run Marking International Childhood Cancer Day

On 15 February 2026, a charity run dedicated to International Childhood Cancer Day was held at Istiqlol Park in Dushanbe. Organized by the Lona Charity Foundation in cooperation with the DAV.TJ Running Club, the event gathered hundreds of participants including representatives of government institutions, the diplomatic corps, international organizations, the business community, volunteers, and residents of the capital.
The initiative aimed to raise public awareness of the challenges faced by children battling cancer and to mobilize collective support for those in need of care, compassion, and hope.

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The event received significant support from the International Science and Technology Center (ISTC), whose Office in the Republic of Tajikistan acted as both sponsor and active partner. ISTC’s participation highlighted the broader role of science and international cooperation — not only in advancing research and technology, but also in promoting humanitarian values, social responsibility, and solidarity. Through this engagement, the initiative gained wider public visibility and became a meaningful symbol of the connection between science and society in the service of human life.

The charity run was supported by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Tajikistan, the Government of Dushanbe, the Committee for Youth and Sports Affairs, the Committee for Television and Radio Broadcasting, and the Ministry of Health and Social Protection of the Population, alongside diplomatic missions, international organizations, private companies, and numerous volunteers.
During the closing ceremony, sponsors and partners received certificates of appreciation from the Lona Charity Foundation. Mamurdzhon Mirvaisov, Head of the ISTC Office in Tajikistan, was honored for his continued support of charitable initiatives and personal commitment to social projects.

Symbolically, the initiative extended beyond the capital and even beyond national borders. Parallel charity runs were held in Bokhtar and Khujand (Tajikistan), as well as Tashkent (Uzbekistan), Almaty (Kazakhstan), and New York (USA). This simultaneous international participation transformed the event into a global expression of solidarity, demonstrating that compassion and the willingness to help transcend geographical boundaries.

More than a sporting activity, the charity run represented a collective gesture of unity. Each step taken by participants carried a deeper message — to support children facing serious illness, to offer hope for the future, and to affirm that they are not alone. ISTC’s involvement once again underscored that the value of science lies not only in discovery, but also in its capacity to improve lives and bring people together for the benefit of humanity.