A Fundraising Campaign Organized by Shirin Madani’s Friends and Classmates from Iran University of Science and Technology
We are a group of longtime friends and university classmates of Shirin Madani, coming together to offer our love, compassion, and financial support to our dear friend during the most heartbreaking and difficult time of her life.
We have known Shirin since our early university years in Iran. She was always a strong, intelligent, and determined young woman with a brilliant mind and a generous heart. She was the friend who never hesitated to listen, lend a helping hand, or stand beside others in times of need. Her kindness, resilience, and compassion have remained with us throughout the years.
But sometimes, life brings challenges beyond anything we could ever imagine.
A Mother's Journey of Love and Sacrifice
Many years ago, Shirin made the courageous and difficult decision to leave Iran and immigrate to Canada, hoping to build a brighter future for herself and her only son, Parsa. Parsa was a bright, kind-hearted, and intelligent young man who was on the autism spectrum and had high-functioning autism. At the time, awareness, acceptance, and access to appropriate support for children with autism were extremely limited in Iran, and many of these challenges continue today. Like any loving and devoted mother, Shirin wanted her son to grow up in an environment where he would be understood, accepted, and given every opportunity to reach his full potential and lead a happy, independent, and fulfilling life.
Starting over in a new country as a single mother was anything but easy. Shirin faced the challenges of immigration, adapting to a new society, and raising her son while carrying the full responsibility of supporting their small family. She worked tirelessly, first as an engineer and later in finance and management, often making personal sacrifices to ensure Parsa had the care, stability, and opportunities he deserved. Through years of determination, resilience, and hard work, she gradually built a secure, loving, and hopeful life for them both.
Like so many immigrant parents who leave behind everything familiar in search of a better future for their children, Shirin devoted her life to Parsa's happiness and well-being. Despite the obstacles along the way, she never gave up. Together, they built a life filled with love, hope, and the promise of a brighter tomorrow.
But just when their years of struggle and sacrifice seemed to have brought them the stability they had worked so hard to achieve, life took an unexpected and devastating turn.
When Life Took an Unexpected and Devastating Turn
Just when life seemed to be settling down, Shirin faced another devastating challenge. She was diagnosed with a serious illness that required multiple surgeries. At almost exactly the same time, her beloved and only son, Parsa, was diagnosed with advanced cancer. Suddenly, mother and son found themselves facing serious medical conditions, difficult treatments, and an uncertain future.
Throughout this challenging journey, they received tremendous care and support from their medical teams. However, beyond the hospital, Shirin had to manage the emotional, physical, and financial burdens largely on her own. Despite her own health struggles, she returned to work shortly after her surgeries, knowing that she was the sole financial provider for their household. While caring for Parsa and supporting him through his cancer treatments, she worked tirelessly, often seven days a week, to cover their living expenses, medications, and other essential needs.
Shirin continued this demanding routine until the end of April 2026, when Parsa's condition deteriorated significantly and he began requiring around-the-clock care. Unable to balance her work responsibilities with her son's increasing needs, she had no choice but to take leave from her job to remain by his side.
With no other source of financial assistance and her regular income interrupted, Shirin faced growing financial difficulties. To manage their daily expenses and medical-related costs, she was forced to rely on bank loans and borrowing from other financial institutions. Eventually, she even had to sell her car to help make ends meet. Through it all, she held on to hope and continued doing everything she could to provide Parsa with the love, comfort, and care he needed.
The consequences of these extraordinary circumstances have left Shirin in a deeply difficult financial situation. She continues to struggle with significant debts accumulated during their medical journey, while also dealing with her own ongoing health challenges. After years of working hard to build a stable life for herself and her son, she now faces the overwhelming task of recovering financially and rebuilding the stability she worked so hard to achieve.
Tragically, after approximately a year and a half of courageously fighting cancer, Parsa passed away.
For Shirin, a mother who had devoted her entire life to her beloved and only child, this heartbreaking loss is beyond words.
Where Shirin Stands Today
Today, Shirin is facing the darkest chapter of her life. She is grieving the loss of her beloved son while continuing to recover from her own illness and trying to find the strength to move forward. The emotional and physical toll of these experiences has prevented her from returning to work for several months. At the same time, she is struggling with accumulated debts, outstanding bills, living expenses, and other financial obligations.
After years of working tirelessly to provide for her son, she now faces not only unimaginable grief but also the uncertainty of how to regain financial stability.
Why We Are Asking for Your Help
This is why we, Shirin's friends and former university classmates, have come together to ask for your kindness and support. Shirin has spent so much of her life caring for others, especially her beloved Parsa. Now, when she needs help more than ever, we hope to surround her with the same compassion and generosity she has always shown to those around her. Our goal is to ease her immediate financial burden by helping with accumulated debts, essential living expenses, and outstanding financial obligations. We hope this support will give her the time and peace of mind she needs to focus on her recovery, navigate her grief, and gradually rebuild her life.
No amount of money can bring Parsa back or take away the pain of losing a child.
But together, we can remind Shirin that she is not alone.
We can show her that her friends, community, and compassionate people are standing beside her during this extraordinarily difficult time.
We kindly ask you to consider making a donation, in any amount, to help Shirin through this painful chapter. Every contribution, no matter how small, can make a meaningful difference.
If you are unable to donate, sharing this campaign with your friends, family, and community would be equally appreciated.
From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for your kindness, generosity, and compassion. Your support will help give Shirin the breathing room she needs to heal and begin rebuilding her life after an unimaginable loss.
With love and gratitude,
Shirin's Friends and University Classmates
Iran University of Science and Technology
For Questions or Further Information, Please Contact:
Shirin Shad or Mo Mashgoul
Phone: 604-366-4691 or 778-892-4141
