About Imam Sohaib Sultan

Sohaib Sultan was the Muslim Chaplain and coordinator of the Muslim Life Program at Princeton University for 13 years. He provided guidance to countless students and members of the Muslim community and the Princeton community-at-large. All who knew him could attest to his compassion, beautiful patience, love, and generosity.

In April 2020, Imam Sohaib Sultan received a diagnosis of Stage 4 cholangiocarcinoma. After receiving the diagnosis, he wrote about living and dying with grace. These writings included his Notes from the Hospital and Therapy Through the Senses in which he critiques in detail the sterility of the hospital environments and the sometimes lack of empathy he experienced from the medical staff while he was undergoing treatment. He included suggestions for hospitals to develop better patient environments and for medical staff to become more patient-centered.

He added, “Maybe some of my beloved students who are in the field of medicine will read this blog and be part of the change we so desperately need in our healthcare today. I am truly hopeful that they will do me and all of us proud.” 

On April 16, 2021, Imam Sohaib passed away leaving a legacy for those who knew him and many others.

About Kier’s Kidz

Kier’s Kidz is a 501(3)(c) non-profit that helps children, adolescents, and young adults with cancer and their families, and we help to underwrite pediatric cancer research. We also work with high school and college students as colleagues to accomplish our philanthropic missions. Kier's Kidz is Kiersten Hickman-Perfetti's legacy of love and hope for young adults, adolescents, and kids with cancer. As such, we at Kier’s Kidz keep the spirit of Kiersten alive in all that we do for the children and the young people we help.

Starting Funds for Pediatric and Adult Cancer Treatment Center Environmental Improvements

About a week before the passing of Imam Sohaib, Board members from Kier’s Kidz had the opportunity to speak to him and his wife, Arshe, to further discuss ways to improve hospital experiences. 

As an organization that primarily focuses on pediatric and young adult cancer patients and their families, Kier’s Kidz recently changed its by-laws to include that Kier’s Kidz will work a new mission to help willing hospitals and oncology treatment centers to make their adult and pediatric oncology units more personal, warmer, and cheerful, through art and other environmental improvements. 

Monies for these projects will be spent in concert with Imam Sultan's wishes. All work will be done in memory and in honor of Imam Sohaib Sultan.

Problem and Solutions: Chaplain Sultan's Notes from the Hospital

As per Imam Sultan’s wishes, Kier’s Kidz aims to target several issues raised in his writings. An example appears below. We will add other issues and solutions in updates to this project.

Problem: 

--Hospitals are often sterile and artistically dead. 

--Chaplain Sultan writes in one of his articles that "there’s just no doubt in my mind that America’s hospitals are designed to manage illness rather than aim for wellness. I’m grateful that this hospital room had a nice big window — that was its saving grace. Otherwise, the room lacked any sort of beauty whatsoever. The wall colors were gray and bland. There were no paintings, nothing whatsoever to bring meaning or to bring the outside inside. There were no plants or flowers, not even fake ones to give a semblance of life."

Solutions: 

--There are beautiful plants, organic and artificial, that we can buy and install in the oncology units and in individual rooms. Plants and flowers will help patients feel connected with life and with nature.

--Hospitals can invite patients to bring their own artwork and things that they would consider sacred and meaningful.

--Install artwork in the units and rooms.  

--Paint and add designs to furniture and medical machines, such as an animal design on medical containers commonly used by nurses and doctors in the pediatric units.

Hospital Collaborations:

Kier’s Kidz is currently working on starting this project at the Rutgers Cancer Center of New Jersey (CINJ). The team aims to be part of CINJ’s committee to provide ideas and feedback as they construct their brand new building. We will also help with improving their existing units.  As the project expands, Kier’s Kidz will work with as many hospitals as possible.

About Kier’s Kidz Board and Volunteering:

The Kier’s Kidz Board is honored to be doing this project. The team leads, Sarah Attalla and Usra Attalla, are Rutgers Mason Gross School of the Arts graduates. They are professional designers experienced in creating unique spaces through gallery curations, exhibitions, and public installations. In all of their work, they are known for their careful consideration of interactive human experiences with a focus on environmental graphic design. They are joined by the rest of the Board and volunteers in planning and executing this project. 

Our website is at www.kierskidz.com.  You can also see us on Facebook at Kier's Kidz.

If you would like to volunteer to help in any way, please email Larry Perfetti, Kier’s Kidz CEO, at [email protected].

Thanks so much for your love and caring.

With Peace and Love,

The Board of Kier's Kidz