Leyla Aliyeva, Vice-President of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, was awarded the “Key to Life” honorary prize in New York.

Leyla Aliyeva, Vice-President of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation and founder of the IDEA (International Dialogue for Environmental Action) campaign, is visiting New York at the invitation of the U.S. “Children’s Cancer and Blood Foundation” (CCBF). At the Foundation’s annual charity event on November 1, Leyla Aliyeva will be presented with the “Key to Life” award for her active participation in humanitarian projects for children.

Since its establishment in 1952, the Children’s Cancer and Blood Foundation (CCBF) has supported the treatment of chronic and life-threatening blood diseases in children through ongoing assistance in the fields of pediatric hematology and oncology. It is one of the oldest private charitable organizations in the U.S. operating in this field.

During her visit to New York, Leyla Aliyeva visited the Weill Cornell Medical Center at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital, one of the leading medical institutions in the treatment of pediatric cancer and blood disorders, and familiarized herself with the services provided there. She visited young patients at the center, congratulated them on the traditional American “Halloween” holiday, and delivered gifts.

The Azerbaijani guest also spoke with the medical staff of the center, showing particular interest in the treatment of patients with thalassemia and the care provided to them. She noted that, since one in every twelve people in Azerbaijan is a carrier of this genetic blood disorder, the Heydar Aliyev Foundation implements programs to prevent thalassemia, and the Thalassemia Center operates in Baku.

During a conversation with Patricia Giardini, Director of the Thalassemia Program at Weill Cornell Medical Center and a researcher renowned in this field, Leyla Aliyeva expressed her desire to organize a scientific symposium in Azerbaijan dedicated to genetic blood diseases, inviting the scientist to participate in such an event and exchange views with specialists in the country.

Joint scientific research on thalassemia was also a key topic of discussion during a meeting at the research laboratory established at the Medical Center with the support of CCBF, where Leyla Aliyeva participated.

David Liden, Director of the Cellular Oncology Program, briefed the Azerbaijani guest on the results of the laboratory’s scientific research, emphasizing that the new knowledge acquired in a short period in pediatric hematology-oncology has greatly advanced the treatment of these diseases. Leyla Aliyeva also discussed with Liden the future opportunities for scientists from Azerbaijan to conduct joint research at the center.