Founder and Chairman of the Board of Directors of LÖSEV
Founder and Chairperson of LÖSEV Dr. Üstün Ezer is a pioneering figure in Türkiye’s fight against leukemia and childhood cancers. A pediatric hematologist and oncologist with over 30 years of clinical experience, he founded LÖSEV - the Foundation for Children with Leukemia and transformed the lives of thousands of children and their families. Through his leadership, treatment success rates increased dramatically, public awareness grew nationwide, and a powerful movement of compassion and solidarity took root.
Born in Kayseri in 1958, Dr. Ezer graduated from Ankara University Faculty of Medicine. He completed his first specialty in pediatrics, followed by a second specialization in pediatric hematology and oncology. With a career devoted to defending every child’s right to live, he dedicated his medical expertise to advancing leukemia treatment and improving the lives of children battling cancer.
In 1998, Dr. Ezer founded LÖSEV at a time when children with leukemia were often marginalized, misunderstood, and left without hope. Many were excluded from society due to the false belief that leukemia was contagious, while limited resources and bureaucracy in public hospitals left children unable to continue their treatment. With survival rates below 20% at the time, Dr. Ezer’s bold initiative marked a turning point in Türkiye’s approach to leukemia care. His work played a major role in raising treatment success rates and giving thousands of children a second chance at life.
Under Dr. Ezer’s leadership, LÖSEV has grown into a nationwide movement of goodness, reaching thousands of children and families across Türkiye. Beyond medical treatment, LÖSEV provides education, housing support, nutrition, social services, and psychological counseling, ensuring that families are never alone in their fight against cancer. Today, LÖSEV is recognized as a symbol of trust, hope, and solidarity.
In 2017, Dr. Üstün Ezer became the first Turkish recipient of the World of Children Health Award, presented by the World of Children Foundation. Widely regarded by the public as the “Children’s Nobel Prize,” this prestigious international recognition reflects the global appreciation of LÖSEV’s work in advancing child health and children’s rights.
LÖSEV participates in United Nations platforms with its work in the field of leukemia and is recognized as a model referenced internationally and evaluated as a best practice in child-centered healthcare and social support systems.
Guided by the principles of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk and the values of the Republic, Dr. Ezer has transformed LÖSEV into more than a foundation — into a powerful movement built on compassion, justice, and solidarity.
Inspired by Dr. Ezer’s vision, the Cancer Research Institute was established and has begun its scientific work to generate long-term, effective solutions in cancer research. Looking ahead, he aims to expand LÖSEV’s impact through LÖSEV University, new health initiatives, international partnerships, and sustainable support models.
Continuing his role as Chairperson with the same passion he held on the first day, Dr. Üstün Ezer is leaving an enduring legacy not only in the lives of children with leukemia, but also in Türkiye’s collective conscience. Under his guidance, LÖSEV continues its journey rooted in science, compassion, and the unwavering belief that every child deserves the right to live.
