A memorial event titled "One of Them: Emil," dedicated to the memory of 13-year-old Emil, who passed away due to thalassemia, was held at the Sheki State Drama Theatre.
According to Report, the event was organized with the organizational support of the Sheki City Executive Power, the initiative of Ayshan Abdullayeva, head of the "Urekden Qana" (Blood from the Heart) project, and under the leadership of the project's general director, Elvin Nusratoglu.
Leyla Aliyeva, Vice President of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, attended the event.
The primary objective of the event was to pay tribute to children suffering from thalassemia and those who lost their lives to the disease, while simultaneously drawing public attention to the challenges posed by the condition.
During the memorial evening, various artistic performances were presented, reflecting Emil's life, emotions, dreams, and the feelings experienced by his family. Musical compositions such as "Parvana," "Kamin," "Adagio," "Man sani axtararam" (I will search for you), "Luna," and the closing piece "Sob a Sol" (Under the Sun) were received with deep emotion by the audience. These performances underscored the values of life, hope, love, and resilience.
The event also featured specially prepared video segments detailing Emil's life and highlighting the activities conducted under the "One of Them: Emil" project.
Speaking at the conclusion of the event, Ayshan Abdullayeva, head of the "Urekden Qana" project and initiator of the "One of Them: Emil" project, highlighted the attention given to thalassemia patients in Azerbaijan and expressed gratitude to the country's leadership for their support. She noted that individuals living with thalassemia face a daily struggle, and the most valuable assistance, alongside state support, comes from public care and the dedication of voluntary blood donors. She emphasized that such projects serve not only as memorials but also as a means to provide moral support to patients and their families, while strengthening solidarity and social responsibility within society.
It should be noted that the "One of Them: Emil" project served as the final stage of a series of events dedicated to thalassemia. The project began on June 18 with a conference titled "Thalassemia – A Message to Society," which provided detailed information on the disease, its complications, prevention, and ongoing measures in this field.
As the next phase of the project, a blood donation campaign titled "Thalassemia – Blood Unity" was organized on June 19-20. A total of 465 people participated in the campaign, and after medical examinations, 163 individuals donated blood. The collected blood reserves were directed to support the treatment of patients suffering from thalassemia and other blood disorders.
All activities carried out within the framework of the project served to focus public attention on the problem of thalassemia, encourage voluntary blood donation, and support those suffering from the disease.
Following the event, Leyla Aliyeva visited Emil's family members and engaged in a sincere conversation with them over tea.
Thalassemia is a significant public health focus in Azerbaijan, with the Heydar Aliyev Foundation playing a leading role in national awareness campaigns and support programs for patients, including the establishment of specialized treatment centers and the promotion of voluntary blood donation across the country.
