Sheki: On June 30, a memorial event titled 'One of Them: Emil,' dedicated to the memory of 13-year-old Emil, who passed away from thalassemia, was held at the Sheki State Drama Theatre. The event was organized with the support of the Sheki City Executive Authority, initiated by Ayshen Abdullayeva, head of the 'From the Heart to Blood' project, and under the general leadership of Elvin Nusratoghlu. Vice-President of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation Leyla Aliyeva attended the event.
According to Azerbaijan State News Agency, the main purpose of the memorial evening was to pay tribute to children suffering from thalassemia and to honor the memory of those who lost their lives to the disease, as well as to draw public attention to the problem of thalassemia. Various artistic compositions reflecting Emil's life journey, emotions, dreams, and the feelings experienced by his family were presented during the event. The performances of 'Butterfly,' 'Fireplace,' 'Adagio,' 'I Will Search for You,' 'Luna,' and 'Sob a Sol' ('Under the Sun') deeply moved the audience, depicting themes of life, hope, love, and living.
Special video clips about Emil's life and preserving his memory, along with footage from events held under the 'One of Them: Emil' project, were shown. At the end of the event, Ayshen Abdullayeva spoke about the attention given to thalassemia patients in the country and expressed gratitude to the leadership for their support. She highlighted the daily struggles faced by those living with thalassemia and the vital role of voluntary blood donors and state support in providing them with hope and strength. The events aim not only to commemorate but also to offer moral support to patients and their families, fostering solidarity and social responsibility.
The 'One of Them: Emil' project marked the final stage of a series of events dedicated to thalassemia, starting on June 18 with the conference 'Thalassemia - A Message to Society.' This initial event provided detailed information about the disease, its complications, prevention, and ongoing measures. Following the conference, a blood donation campaign titled 'Thalassemia - Blood Unity' took place on June 19-20, with 465 participants. After medical examinations, 163 individuals donated blood, contributing to the treatment support for thalassemia and other blood diseases.
Overall, the project's events aimed to raise awareness about thalassemia, encourage voluntary blood donation, and support those affected by the disease.