7 Ways Your Shaukat Khanum Donation Is Fueling The Future Of Cancer Care In 2025

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As of December 21, 2025, Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital and Research Centre (SKMCH&RC) continues its relentless mission to provide free, state-of-the-art cancer treatment to deserving patients, a monumental task that relies entirely on philanthropic support. The hospital's financial needs are immense, with over US$ 767 million already spent on treatment facilities since its inception, and a significant portion of its patients—around 75%—receiving financially supported care. The focus for 2025 and 2026 is laser-sharp: completing the third and largest tertiary care cancer hospital in Karachi, a project that requires unprecedented donor commitment to ensure it opens on schedule and is fully equipped. This year, your contribution is more vital than ever, directly equipping new facilities and sustaining the existing centers in Lahore and Peshawar. The ongoing expansion projects and the ever-increasing demand for free treatment mean every dollar, pound, or rupee is immediately put to work saving lives. Understanding the current projects and the specific ways to donate—from Zakat to equipment sponsorship—is key to maximizing your impact on cancer care across Pakistan.

The Vision: Origin and Mission of Shaukat Khanum Memorial Trust

The Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital and Research Centre (SKMCH&RC) is more than just a hospital; it is a testament to a personal promise and a national dream. Founded by former Prime Minister Imran Khan, the institution was established in memory of his mother, Shaukat Khanum, who succumbed to cancer. The Lahore facility, inaugurated in 1994, was the first of its kind in Pakistan, offering comprehensive cancer diagnosis and treatment. The core mission of the Shaukat Khanum Memorial Trust (SKMT) is rooted in two principles: providing the highest quality cancer care and ensuring that financial constraints never prevent a patient from receiving treatment. This commitment is upheld through a robust system of financial assistance, which is primarily funded by public donations, Zakat, and other charitable contributions. The hospital operates as a beacon of hope, serving patients from across Pakistan and even neighboring regions.

The 2025/2026 Project Focus: Where Your Donations Go Right Now

The hospital network is in a phase of massive expansion to meet the growing cancer burden in the country. Your donations are currently driving several critical, high-impact projects.

The Third and Largest Hospital: SKMCH&RC Karachi

The most significant undertaking is the construction of Pakistan's third and largest Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital and Research Centre in Karachi. * Project Scale: This will be a state-of-the-art tertiary care cancer hospital, significantly larger than the existing centers in Lahore and Peshawar. * Target Opening: The facility is targeted to open its doors in December 2026. * Urgent Need: Funds are critically needed now to purchase and install essential medical equipment, ensuring the hospital can become fully operational on schedule.

Sustaining Existing Centers

While the Karachi project is a major capital campaign, the Lahore and Peshawar centers require continuous funding to maintain their high standards of care and research. * Lahore: The flagship hospital continues to serve the largest volume of patients, requiring funds for chemotherapy drugs, radiation therapy, and surgical consumables. * Peshawar: Built to the latest international healthcare standards, the Peshawar center is fully operational, extending the hospital’s reach to the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa region.

Expansion in Lahore: Full Occupancy in 2025

Recent expansion efforts in Lahore, which saw the opening of outpatient services in 2024, are set for full occupancy in early 2025. This continuous growth ensures more patients can be treated, but it also increases the operational budget for staff, utilities, and patient care.

Understanding Your Donation: Zakat, Sadaqah, and Specific Programs

Donating to Shaukat Khanum is flexible, allowing you to choose a program that aligns with your charitable intentions, whether it is Zakat, Sadaqah, or a specific sponsorship.

1. Zakat and Financial Assistance

Shaukat Khanum Memorial Trust is a fully Zakat-eligible institution. * Disbursement Guarantee: The Trust is meticulous about Zakat disbursement, ensuring it is only used for the treatment of eligible, deserving cancer patients as per Sharia principles. * The Scale of Need: Last year, Zakat contributions enabled the hospital to provide financially supported treatment to approximately 75% of its patients. The annual financial need to sustain this level of care is in the hundreds of millions of dollars (USD 122 million was the required amount last year alone). * Nisab Calculation: Zakat is only applicable if the total amount exceeds the value of Nisab (e.g., greater than 52.5 tola of silver or 7.5 tola of gold).

2. Sponsor a Cancer Patient

This program allows donors to take on the responsibility of a patient’s treatment, providing a tangible connection to the life being saved. It covers the entire spectrum of care, from diagnosis to rehabilitation.

3. Sponsorship of Equipment

Donors can fund the purchase of vital, state-of-the-art medical equipment, such as MRI machines, linear accelerators for radiation therapy, or specialized surgical tools, which are essential for the new Karachi hospital.

4. Donate a Meal

A simple yet impactful way to contribute, the "Donate a Meal" program ensures that patients and their attendants receive nutritious food during their stay at the hospital.

5. Project Dedications

For major donors, there are opportunities to dedicate rooms, wards, or entire sections of the new Karachi facility in the name of a loved one, creating a lasting legacy.

How to Donate to Shaukat Khanum from Anywhere in the World (2025)

The hospital has established robust international donation channels to facilitate contributions from the global diaspora.

For Donors in the USA

Donors in the United States can contribute through the official Imran Khan Cancer Appeal (IKCA-USA). * Tax Benefit: IKCA-USA is a tax-exempt public charity registered under section 501(c)(3) of the IRS, meaning your contribution is tax-deductible. * EIN: The hospital's official EIN is 13-3626299.

Online and International Bank Transfers

The official Shaukat Khanum website offers a secure online donation portal for instant contributions using credit or debit cards from anywhere in the world. They also provide detailed bank account information for direct international wire transfers.

SMS Donation (Pakistan)

For donors within Pakistan, the SMS donation service remains a convenient option. Effective August 12, 2025, the hospital announced a revised SMS donation amount. You can donate Rs. 100 (+tax) by sending '100' via SMS to 7770 from any network in Pakistan.

Monthly Giving

The "Donate Every Month" program is crucial for providing a stable, predictable income stream, which is vital for the long-term planning of patient treatment and research activities. The scale of Shaukat Khanum’s operation—providing advanced cancer care to thousands, conducting cutting-edge research, and building new hospitals—makes it one of the most impactful charities globally. Your contribution in 2025 is not just a donation; it is an investment in the health of a nation and a direct lifeline to a cancer patient who otherwise would have no hope.
7 Ways Your Shaukat Khanum Donation is Fueling the Future of Cancer Care in 2025
shaukat khanum hospital donation
shaukat khanum hospital donation

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