At the beginning of 2026; my dad, Atila Çakmak, lost his five-year battle with cancer. As you would imagine, in his final period, his condition became quite severe and required care.

Inspired by this experience and in light of Turkiye's aging population, I have been thinking about creating a campaign. Turkiye Mozaik Foundation kindly guided me through the thinking, and we've decided to establish a fundraiser under the "Ageing and Caregiver Support Fund".

I will be traveling to the Latmos Mountains by Lake Bafa, from which the mythology of Selene originates.

Why does it matter?

Türkiye is rapidly ageing, with over 9.1 million people aged 65+ (10.6% of the population), expected to reach 17.9% by 2040, amid significant challenges.

Nearly 1 in 4 older people faces the risk of poverty or social exclusion, and 1.75 million live alone, most of them women. Many experience physical limitations affecting daily life, while social isolation remains widespread. At the same time, middle-aged populations are largely unprepared for ageing, lacking financial security and support systems, and ageing continues to be associated with dependency rather than active living.

As demand grows for services that support independence—such as social engagement, accessible transport, and rehabilitation—the need for stronger caregiver support and sustainable care models is becoming increasingly urgent.