Organized by Sundas Foundation Australia
Date: Tuesday, 30 September 2025
Venue: Zac Afghan Restaurant, Bella Vista, Sydney
Event Overview
Sundas Foundation Australia successfully hosted an Awareness Dinner for Thalassemia and Hemophilia, an evening dedicated to compassion, awareness, and community engagement.
The event brought together community leaders, healthcare professionals, donors, and supporters in an atmosphere of solidarity. It served not only as a dinner but as a platform to highlight the struggles of families affected by blood disorders and to inspire collective responsibility toward humanitarian support.
The program commenced with a recitation of the Holy Quran, followed by a warm welcome from Mr. Muhammad Asif, Chairman of Sundas Foundation Australia, who introduced the organization’s mission and history. He emphasized the importance of the community’s support in ensuring that no child suffers due to a lack of treatment.
About Sundas Foundation
Founded in 1998 in Pakistan by the late Munnu Bhai, a respected journalist and humanitarian, Sundas Foundation was established to address the urgent needs of children suffering from Thalassemia and Hemophilia. Witnessing the silent suffering of underprivileged families who lacked access to safe blood and treatment, Munnu Bhai envisioned a center of compassion, dignity, and free healthcare.
Today, Sundas Foundation operates multiple centers in Pakistan, providing free-of-cost blood transfusions and treatment to thousands of patients.
Sundas Foundation Australia continues this mission, focusing on:
• Awareness & Education: Informing the community about Thalassemia & Hemophilia.
• Patient Support: Offering financial, logistical, and emotional assistance.
• Medical Collaboration: Building bridges between Australian and international healthcare providers.
The Foundation is honored to have Mrs. Uzma Gillani — veteran actress and humanitarian — as its Patron-in-Chief, whose leadership continues to inspire the cause.
Event Highlights
Welcome & Opening
The evening commenced with a warm welcome from Hamza Asif, who began the proceedings with the recitation of the Holy Quran. He set the tone for the evening, reminding the audience that this gathering was more than a dinner—it was a call to unity, compassion, and collective responsibility. Hamza introduced Sundas Foundation Australia’s mission and emphasized the importance of the community’s ongoing involvement in addressing blood disorders.
Chairman’s Address
Mr. Muhammad Asif, Chairman of Sundas Foundation Australia, delivered the opening address. He expressed heartfelt gratitude to all attendees who had taken time out of their weekday schedules to support the cause. Mr. Asif provided a comprehensive background of the Sundas Foundation, tracing its roots to the late Munnu Bhai’s vision in 1998. He explained how Munnu Bhai recognized the urgent need for a structured system to provide safe blood transfusions and treatment for children suffering from Thalassemia and Hemophilia. He reminded the audience that Sundas Foundation today treats thousands of patients free of cost, and that the Australian chapter was founded with the same values of care, dignity, and service to humanity. He concluded by urging everyone present to take personal ownership of the mission—whether through their time, financial support, or spreading awareness.
Special Address by Mrs. Uzma Gillani
The highlight of the evening was a heartfelt speech by Mrs. Uzma Gillani, Patron-in-Chief of Sundas Foundation Australia. A distinguished actress and humanitarian, Mrs. Gillani spoke with deep emotion about the struggles faced by children suffering from blood disorders. She reminded the audience that behind every medical statistic lies a real child, a real family, and a real struggle. In a moving moment, she recited a poem dedicated to Thalassemia and Hemophilia patients, which deeply touched the audience. Her words emphasized that while medicine saves lives, it is compassion and solidarity that truly heal communities. The audience responded with a standing ovation in appreciation of her lifelong dedication to humanitarian causes.
Medical Awareness Address by Dr. Erum Hanif
Dr. Erum Hanif delivered an insightful address focusing on Thalassemia and Hemophilia, highlighting the different types of these genetic blood disorders and the alarming reasons behind their prevalence in Pakistan.
She emphasized the critical importance of educating parents about these conditions, particularly in the context of premarital and prenatal screening, which can help reduce the risk of transmission to future generations. Dr. Erum also underlined the role of awareness campaigns in encouraging families to take preventive measures, such as genetic counseling and early testing.
Her speech was both informative and impactful, covering all essential aspects of how these diseases can be prevented through community education and responsible health practices. It was a wonderful and much-needed reminder of the power of knowledge in combating hereditary diseases and ensuring healthier futures for our families.
Distinguished Guests
The Awareness Dinner was honored by the presence of distinguished guests, community leaders, healthcare professionals, and supporters representing esteemed organizations across Australia. Their valuable participation reflected the spirit of unity and compassion that defines the mission of Sundas Foundation.
Mr. & Mrs. Jauhar Janjua – IT and Community Supporters
Dr. Alia Khan – Representing Shaukat Khanum Australia
Dr. Muhammad Bilal – Representing Edhi Foundation Australia
Dr. Mazen Khan – Representing Sundas Foundation
Mr. Munir Mohammed – Representing Australian Memon Association, Rabitah Magazine, and Sydney Forex
Ms. Shafaq Jaffery – Representing APWA (All Pakistan Women’s Association) and Pehchan TV
Ms. Nazish Minto – Representing Pakistan Events and Happenings
Mr. Mohammed Abid – Representing Sundas Foundation
Mr. Muhammed Ejaz Paracha – Representing Sundas Foundation
Mr. Sarfraz Aslam – Representing Sundas Foundation
Mr. Sakib Akbar – Representing Sundas Foundation
Mr. Riaz Awan – Representing Sundas Foundation
Mr. Rafiq Ahmad – Representing RC Films
Mr. Ali Chowhan – Representing DLW Accounting
Mr. Atif Faheem – Representing Shahid Afridi Foundation
Mr. Suhail Shah – Representing Paccer Academy
Mr. Hamid Saroha – Representing Pakistan Association of Australia
Mr. Sohail Shamsi – President, Hills District Muslim Society
Mr. Shaan Zaidi – Representing Five Pearls
Mr. Adeel Shakoor – Representing Pakistan Association of Australia
Purpose of the Dinner
The Awareness Dinner was organized with the following objectives:
• To raise awareness about Thalassemia and Hemophilia to the audience.
• To highlight the struggles faced by families and patients.
• To mobilize donors and resources for medical support.
• To strengthen community partnerships for sustainable humanitarian initiatives.
Acknowledgements
Sundas Foundation Australia extends sincere gratitude to:
• Mrs. Uzma Gillani, Patron-in-Chief, for her leadership and heartfelt contribution.
• Mr. Muhammad Asif, Chairman, for his vision and community leadership.
• Our dedicated volunteers, donors, and team members, who worked tirelessly for the success of this event.
• All our honoured guests, whose presence and generosity turned this dinner into a beacon of hope.
Impact & Way Forward
The Awareness Dinner was a milestone in building unity and responsibility within the community. It reinforced the belief that each act of kindness—whether through donations, volunteering, or awareness—can change the course of a child’s life.
As Sundas Foundation Australia looks ahead, the organization remains committed to:
• Raising funds for mobile vans and advanced medical equipment to deliver treatment and transfusion services for Thalassemia and Hemophilia patients.
• Building stronger support systems for families, ensuring they receive the care, counseling, and resources they need.
• Enhancing partnerships with medical professionals both locally and internationally to improve access to treatment, expertise, and modern care practices.
• Ensuring that no child is left untreated or without hope, continuing the legacy of compassion envisioned by Sundas Foundation’s late founder, Munnu Bhai.
Together, we can create a future where every child battling blood disorders receives the care, dignity, and love they deserve. to building sustainable support systems and expanding access to treatment for patients in need.
