Kian Pirfalak Memorial: Uniting for Children

100% of your contribution to this campaign will go to St. Christopher's Hospital for Children in North Philadelphia, PA. By supporting St. Christopher‘s Hospital for Children, you will also be helping honor the memory of Kian Pirfalak.

Who was Kian Pirfalak?

One year ago, on November 16, 2022, Kian Pirfalak fell victim to the brutal force of the Islamic Regime (IR), an extremist, theocratic dictatorship governing Iran. He was sitting in the car with his father when IR security forces fired at the car multiple times. Kian was shot and killed. He was just 9 years old.

A rich imagination and curious soul, Kian loved immersing himself into painting, robotics, astronomy, mythical creatures, and more - read more about his life here (also linked below). After his death, a video of him playing with a carefully crafted boat made of wooden sticks went viral. An inventor and engineer at heart, this boat was one of his many creations. In the video he was filled with pride over his boat. And as he prepared to test the boat, Kian dedicated his work to the "God of rainbows" - this has now become an expression, a rallying call of sorts, used among Iranians, honoring Kian and the roughly 75 children killed by the IR.

Global solidarity, local change

Across the globe, children's lives are impacted by circumstances beyond their control. In the US, we confront the heart-wrenching realities of living in a country where gun violence is the leading cause of death for children. Across the Atlantic, we bear witness to a host of horrific humanitarian crises that illuminate the profound challenges children face in regions of conflict. Under the IR, children as young as 2 years old have been killed.

While the sociopolitical details of geopolitical conflicts may differ, the essence remains the same: all children need and deserve to feel safe and protected. We believe that being champions of change begins at the local level – creating a world where every child, regardless of their location, feels supported by their community and the systems in place designed to protect them.

Why St. Christopher’s Hospital for Children?

St. Christopher’s Hospital arose from humble beginnings in 1875, as a charitable ambulatory pediatric walk-in community clinic. The hospital is one of the few children’s hospitals in the region that prioritizes Medicaid (82% of its patients), allowing low-income children access to healthcare. They have persevered in their commitment to community healthcare, pioneering the path towards healthcare equity for children in Philadelphia.

This fundraiser is one piece of the overall mission of the Woman, Life, Freedom movement – unity, as it fuses our common love of children with an understanding of the heartbreaking amount of violence against children that exists under the rule of the Islamic Republic.

Goal

Our goal is to raise $10,000 in one month. We commit to allocating 100% of the proceeds to St. Christopher’s Hospital for Children, you can learn more about the hospital here.

Join us in bridging the gap between our local concerns and the global fight for justice, offering a glimmer of hope to children in need, wherever they may be.

Amplifying Woman, Life, Freedom (WLF) at the local level, through Philly Iranians

Philly Iranians was born from an urgent need to amplify the WLF movement in Philadelphia. Today, as a non-profit organization, spearheaded by the Iranian diaspora and allies, we strive to build intentional connections within the community that highlight our shared humanity. Part of our mission is to raise awareness in support of the WLF movement, in part by creating legacies to honor the sacrifices made by Iranians in the name of democracy and human rights.

The unfulfilled hopes and dreams of little Kian have touched us deeply, and we seek to uplift his memory and his name through this campaign. Join us in our effort to unite in our shared compassion for children, wherever they may be; bridging the gap between local struggles and the global fight for justice and dignity for all.

How to support our fundraising goal of $10,000 in one month

We encourage you to support our fundraising campaign in 2 ways:

Visit our website to learn more about us.

Thank you

100% of your contribution to this campaign will go to St. Christopher’s Hospital for Children. Your gift carries meaningful local and global impact. Supporting the children at St. Christopher's hospital aligns with Philly Iranians' mission to unite the community through our shared humanity, and contributes to creating a world that values and prioritizes the dignity of every child's life. In the name of the God of Rainbows, we thank you.

Resources on Kian Pirfalak

Learn more about "Woman, Life, Freedom"

Compliance Statement

Philly Iranians is a US-registered nonprofit, and abides by all applicable U.S. laws and regulations. Philly Iranians certifies that fundraising for this cause is compliant with U.S. sanctions regulations, as well as Pennsylvania state law.