The family of little Baback Saeedi lost everything in the earthquake that devastated the southeastern Iranian city of Bam on December 26, and there are no longer any hospitals able to treat him.

"It is a desperately sad story," said Denis McClean, spokesman for the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent societies that has been helping coordinate relief efforts.

"His family lost everything, including the means of pursuing its medical treatment," said McClean.

"This hospital is not equipped to treat children with cancer," he said, adding that if Saeedi was in Europe he would have already undergone a bone marrow biopsy to determine the necessary treatment.

The quake killed between 30,000 and 35,000 people in Bam and flattened much of the ancient city.

TERRA.WIRE