Marriott's Newport Coast Villas of California will be hosting a gala fundraising event on April 2-3, 2019. The guest list includes the First Lady of Armenia, Anna Hakobyan, who has championed the cause of pediatric and adult cancer in her home country. Members of the U.S. House of Representatives have also been invited.
Adult and Pediatric Cancer mortality rates in Armenia are ranked as the highest in the world. The disparity of Armenia's survival rate of 30% is a stark contrast to the survival rate of 75% in the developed countries such as the U.S.A. In Armenia, children and adults who are diagnosed with cancer and cannot find or afford proper treatment suffer greatly until the disease inevitably rakes their life.
In a collaborative effort to address this tragic reality, the Armenian Government, along with local and international non-governmental organizations, have formed an extensive network of medical professionals from around the world. First Lady Hakobyan is the Honorary President of the new nonprofit medical foundation, Meduni. Meduni has developed a comprehensive plan to ensure the vast majority of medical providers in Armenia receive proper training and continuing education for primary and specialized medicine. The gala in April will raise awareness and funds to support the development of pediatric oncology and hematology in Armenia.