Somaiya Saad, Staff Reporter
Since 'Al Khaleej' newspaper's sister publication Gulf Today, published the story of young Yousef Haidar on March 29, with the striking headline "Save Yousef: A Race Against Time Before His Muscles Fail Him," the tale of the Iraqi boy has transcended being just another news article. It signaled the start of a humanitarian journey that transformed a mother's desperate appeal for assistance into the joyful smile of a child who has now returned to personally reassure readers that he is faring well.
On that day, Yousef Haidar’s mother was seen with sorrowful eyes, her tears unending, as she pleaded with the world: "Save my son’s life."
Her plea reflected the deep pain of watching her child grow weaker due to Duchenne muscular dystrophy, while the family raced against time to secure potentially life-saving treatment.
For Yousef, every minute counted significantly; the passage of time became a precarious balance between hope and despair as he courageously faced a rare illness that slowly eroded his muscles. Amid this battle, his family actively sought out gene therapy that could be his salvation.
Everything shifted on April 5 as the necessary funds for Yousef’s treatment were successfully gathered.
The air filled with jubilant cheers, as if the people of the UAE collectively reassured him: "Yousef, you are in the Land of Zayed, and you are safe."
The readers' response to Yousef’s story was astounding, morphing his mother’s urgent appeal into a wave of empathy and unity. Compassionate individuals rushed to contribute their support, driven by the belief in a shared humanitarian duty to save a child deserving of a full life.
The cost of treatment reached Dhs10.654 million, making it the most expensive injection in the world, far beyond what any single family could afford. Thus, a new chapter unfolded in Yousef’s life, supported and guided by the Dar Al Ber Society, under the diligent oversight of Executive Director Abdullah Al Falasi.
On April 6, "Al Khaleej" newspaper visited Yousef at Al Jalila Hospital in Dubai to observe his condition firsthand. This visit followed a successful appeal for help, during which the necessary funds for his treatment were raised in partnership with the Dar Al Ber Society. At the hospital, Yousef began his path to recovery, supported by parents who never lost hope. The family closely monitored each step of his treatment journey with anticipation and care.
Yousef's hospital stay represented more than just medical treatment; it marked the beginning of a humanitarian journey. Having moved beyond the agonizing waiting period, he started tackling the disease through active treatment and constant care. On May 16, long-awaited hope became reality when Yousef, aged 10, received the gene therapy "Elevidys." This moment marked a new chapter in the fight against Duchenne muscular dystrophy, made possible by a successful humanitarian campaign that covered the treatment costs.
Today, "Al Khaleej" returns to check on Yousef, and the scene is transformed. There are no cries for help or desperate searches for funds; instead, Yousef appears in a video confirming that his condition is improving and that he is continuing his physical therapy.
Yousef expresses gratitude to everyone who supported him: "I would like to thank my family, the UAE, and everyone who helped me and checked on me." These simple words reflect a journey filled with challenges, beginning with a mother's plea for help and culminating in the pride Yousef feels about his condition today.
Between that beginning and this outcome, there were Emirati hearts that understood a child’s life was deserving of support. Dar Al Ber Society and the campaign’s supporters all contributed to funding the treatment, while our readers participated not only by following the story but also by taking action.
Yousef Haidar’s story extended beyond the newspaper pages to become a living testament to the power of storytelling in inspiring hope and driving change. A published story became a beacon of optimism and a means to give a child a renewed chance at life. Today, the headline has become from "Save Yousef" to "Yousef is doing well and continuing his recovery journey."