DEARBORN — A fundraiser will be held on Thursday, February 3 at Bint Jebail on behalf of Amir Samhat, a one-year-old in Tyr, Lebanon who is suffering from leukemia and needs a bone marrow transplant.

Amir, who is called “the little prince’’ by his family, was diagnosed with leukemia in October of 2010. The family of five owns a two-bedroom flat and was prepared to sell the home in an effort to pay for the transplant.

“While I was in Lebanon, I also learned by accident that my uncle is wiling to sell his flat to assure 25% of the surgery cost. I asked him to calm down and said, Allah has created us and made us different from all other creatures by our brain,“  said Ali Samhat, Amir’s older cousin here in the United States. “I said, my dear uncle, you are not alone in this hard test.”

Samhat told the family not to sell their home, but trust him to help raise the money for the surgery.

“I stopped the sale because it would make them homeless,” Samhat said. He is hosting the fundraiser, hoping that the community here in the United States will come to the aid of the small child.

“The bone marrow surgery in the states costs between $75,000 to $100,000 as I was informed, which is much less than $375,000 if done at Hospital Robert Debre in France,” Samhat said. “ I have raised so far $22,000 with help of all good friends and relatives.”

In addition to financial assistance, Samhat is requesting help from those with knowledge about bone marrow transplants.  Anyone willing to donate bone marrow and offer advice or information about visa processing procedures is asked to attend.  Doctors and lawyers are especially asked to attend.

“Let’s prove to all Arab communities abroad  that we have a unique and united group of Arab American citizens that loves to help those in need and knows how to accomplish common goals.”

The fundraiser will be from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Bint Jebail Culture Center, 6220 Miller Rd., Dearborn. For more information, questions, or to donate, please contact Ali Samhat at 313.333.8808

For those unable to attend the fundraiser, donations are also accepted at Al- Mabarrat Charity Organization at W. Warren Ave 313.582.5553. There is an envelope with Amir’s name on it.

To contact the family of Amir Samhat in Lebanon, call Abbas Samhat 961.71.743.498.