Trust Across 7000 Kilometers: An Iraqi Family's Transnational Journey to Proton Therapy
All images and audio used in this article have been authorized by the patient. The names involved are pseudonyms.
On a sunny afternoon in September 2025, sunlight streamed through the glass dome of Guangzhou Concord Cancer Center's sunken hall, gently falling upon a large drum adorned with red totems. Aron, a young man from Iraq who had just completed his full course of proton therapy, deftly raised his drumsticks and struck the drum with force.
It was known as the 'Drum of Hope.’, at Guangzhou Concord Cancer Center, every patient who completes radiation therapy is invited to strike the drum, symbolizing the defeat of illness and the rebirth of life. Behind Aron stood his family and medical team, who had fought alongside him throughout his journey. Amid applause and well-wishes, this Iraqi family's treatment journey—spanning war zones and national borders—reached a hopeful milestone.
It all began in early 2024 when Aron experienced discomfort in his left eye and persistent nasal congestion for several months. An MRI scan initially suggested a meningioma. Over the next year, Aron underwent three craniotomies. Cruelly, however, his tumor soon recurred. “With extensive residual lesions left behind after surgery that couldn't be completely removed, we had to find a more effective treatment for him,” recalled Aron's father, Sami.
So, during countless sleepless nights, the soft-spoken yet tenacious father, who is fluent in English, transformed into a "medical researcher," scouring the globe for a glimmer of hope. Sami soon discovered that for brain tumors adjacent to critical structures such as the brainstem, spinal cord, and visual pathways, the internationally authoritative NCCN guidelines recommend prioritizing proton therapy.
In May 2025, a transoceanic video consultation became the turning point in the family's decision-making process. On the other end of the screen, Dr. Taize Yuan, director of the Radiation Oncology Department at Guangzhou Concord Cancer Center, meticulously analyzed Aron's condition with a steady and patient tone.
After the call ended, Sami told his family with conviction, “This is it.”
In fact, they had already compared proton therapy options from multiple top medical centers in Europe, China, India, and Singapore. “What truly impressed us,” Sami admitted, “was both the professionalism and the compassionate care demonstrated by the Chinese medical team.” “We have deep trust in the medical team here—not only because of their exceptional skills, but also their profound dedication and meticulous approach. From that initial video conference to every subsequent communication, this trust has only grown stronger.”
In the height of summer this July, Aron and his family journeyed over six thousand kilometers from Iraq to Guangzhou Concord Cancer Center. The Proton Therapy Center team swiftly developed a precise, personalized treatment plan, allowing Aron to successfully complete all 30 sessions of proton radiation therapy.
This transnational journey against cancer vividly reflected a fusion of advanced medicine and compassionate care -- This Iraqi family cast a decisive vote of confidence in a Chinese hospital, a trust that the medical team at Guangzhou Concord Cancer Center repaid with utmost professionalism and warmth.
Throughout the treatment course, a case manager provided comprehensive coordination and follow-up, while the medical team offered meticulous logistical support beyond clinical care. What particularly touched the staff was the family’s unwavering companionship. “Cancer treatment is never a battle fought by the patient alone,” remarked Dr. Lingqun Zhu, Deputy Chief Physician of the Radiation Oncology Department. “This family taught us a profound lesson. From Iraq to Guangzhou, they stood together as one, facing each challenge with unity. While modern medicine offers advanced technology, it is the power of family and their steadfast presence that truly empowers a patient to overcome illness.”
“Everyone in the hospital helps us!” Aron’s family told the medical team who had come to see them off. These simple words conveyed all their gratitude and affirmation.
Under the sunlight, the “Drum of Hope” awaits the next person to strike it