Mr. Lewis had the chance to visit children being treated for cancer at the organization
The Behnam Daheshpour charity is a non-governmental organization driven by the power of one idea – the idea of giving and caring started by its namesake Behnam.
Behnam Daheshpour was diagnosed with a cancerous tumor at the age of 17. After four years of treatment in United Kingdom, Canada and Iran, Behnam passed away in 1996 in Tehran at the age of 21.
But before his death, Behnam was driven by the idea that all cancer sufferers should be treated with respect and dignity and given the best medical care possible. The idea came to him as he watched other cancer patients wait in long queues in a half-finished building at the hospital in Tajrish. Behnam recruited his friends and spent his final years raising funds through charity events, concerts and selling candles in his home.
The Behnam Daheshpour charity relies solely on donations from the public
When asked by his friends why he would rather sell candles than rest, Behnam responded that, “A candle’s price is equal to a glass of water. If each person helps to provide a single glass of water, there will soon be an ocean for the patients.”
After his death, Behnam’s mother, Mrs. Shahla Lajevardi, gathered family and friends together and continued Behnam’s legacy by establishing the Behnam Daheshpour Charity. Today, this noble organization offers services and care to approximately 7,000 young patients under the age of 15 and their families, regardless of nationality, religion or ethnicity. The charity is supported by generous benefactors, the general public, core staff and a host of enthusiastic volunteers.
Mr. Gary Lewis signed one of the books donated to Behnam Daheshpour charity on behalf of the UN Iran team
During his visit, Mr. Lewis met many of the staff and volunteers as well as spending time with a number of the young cancer patients currently receiving treatment.
| 
