The Colors of My Battle with Leukemia: A Global Celebration of Courage and Creativity

Indus Hospital & Health Network (IHHN) proudly participated in the 1st International Children’s Drawing Exhibition titled “The Colors of My Battle with Leukemia,” organized by LÖSEV – The Foundation for Children with Leukemia. The exhibition, held on May 26, 2025, at LÖSANTE Hospital in Ankara, Turkey, was part of the 24th International Week for Children with Leukemia and brought together powerful artworks by children from around the world who are either battling or have overcome leukemia.

This global initiative featured participation from institutions across various countries, including Pakistan, represented by Indus Hospital & Health Network and Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital. Children from Turkey, China, Lebanon, Bulgaria, Mongolia, Uzbekistan, Syria, Paraguay, and others also contributed to this unique showcase. Each drawing was more than just a visual, it was a voice, a story, and a symbol of strength. These young artists painted their journeys with raw honesty, expressing emotions that ranged from fear and pain to courage and hope. The exhibition served as a powerful reminder of the healing power of creativity, and the importance of listening to the emotional world of children with cancer.

As part of this global celebration, IHHN contributed an emotionally stirring piece titled “The Wall of Feelings,” created by its pediatric leukemia patients. It started with a white canvas and a quiet room. One by one, children—some with IV poles, some in masks or headscarves—were asked a simple but profound question: “How do you feel when you walk into this hospital?” At first, there was silence. Then, slowly, the words came: Dar (Fear), Thaka Hua (Tired), Tanhai (Loneliness). With every stroke of the brush, the canvas began to speak. It echoed the emotions that lived quietly in the hospital corridors—Kamzori (Weakness), Bechaini (Restlessness), Gham (Sadness), Gabrahat (Anxiety). Yet, even in the depth of these emotions, the children found light. They painted Mohabbat (Love), Sukoon (Calm), Azadi (Freedom), Bahaduri (Courage). This artwork is now proudly framed at IHHN, standing not just as a piece of art, but as a testament to resilience. It is a mirror to the inner worlds of young fighters whose stories are often left unheard. Every brushstroke was a declaration of presence, not pity.

The exhibition also featured a deeply personal contribution from Hafsa Adeel, a pediatric leukemia survivor from Pakistan. Her painting, “Stillness in the Storm,” depicts a solitary bird perched on a fragile branch beneath a fiery, swirling sky. To many, it appears to be a simple image. But to Hafsa, it represents survival. Diagnosed at the age of sixteen, she created this painting as a reflection of the storm she had just endured. The bird is not broken—it is resting. The stormy sky is not threatening—it is alive. Hafsa shared how leukemia turned her world upside down, taking away moments of joy, strength, and even movement. But through it all, she held on. Her artwork is not only visually powerful—it is emotionally profound. It speaks of resilience, of holding on when everything else feels too heavy, and of finding light in the darkest of skies.

The opening ceremony of the exhibition in Ankara was attended by ambassadors, diplomats, and senior government officials. Guests were visibly moved as they viewed the children’s artwork and listened to young survivors share their stories. The event included a piano performance by a student who had overcome leukemia, filling the space with emotion and inspiration. Visitors walked through the exhibit with admiration, recognizing each drawing as a voice of courage.

Indus Hospital & Health Network is honored to be part of this international effort that amplifies the voices of children with cancer. In partnership with LÖSEV, IHHN reaffirms its commitment to holistic healing—recognizing that emotional expression, creative therapies, and psychological support are vital elements of recovery. Through global collaboration, we continue to work toward a world where every child battling cancer is seen, heard, and supported.