Cancer patient support group made 35,000 people in UAE happier last year

Dubai - A total of 23 webinars addressing various cancer-related issues further pushed the advocacy agenda of the FoCP in 2020.

More than 35,000 people benefitted from the activities carries out by the Friends of Cancer Patients (FoCP) last year, despite the challenges imposed by the pandemic.

A total of Dh2.95 million was spent on 400 cancer patients and their families in the UAE. Patient-focused events under the ‘Colour My World’ programme last year included healthy living lectures, entertainment workshops, yoga, and make-up sessions. Eighteen virtual and two physical events offered moral support to a total of 1,155 patients.

Through educational workshops, puppet shows, and magic shows, the Joy Cart brought cheer to 890 children undergoing treatment in hospitals. Of these, eight were held virtually and six were held on location at various hospitals.

Cancer does not stop – even in a global pandemic, said Sawsan Jafar, chairperson of the FoCP. “Our commitment to safely providing patient care and cancer screenings throughout this period underscores why this must be made a priority for all. Early detection offers the greatest hope for both choice of treatment options as well as survival,” he told Khaleej Times.

A total of 23 webinars addressing various cancer-related issues further pushed the advocacy agenda of the FoCP in 2020. The FoCP began last year with 450 delegates attending the third Global NCD (non-communicable disease) Alliance Forum in February. It hosted social events that offered forum attendees an opportunity to sample local culture.

In collaboration with Union for International Cancer Control (UICC), the American Cancer Society and the International Agency for Research on Cancer, the FoCP also virtually unveiled the Arabic version of the third edition of the Cancer Atlas.

A memorandum of understanding (MoU) for a strategic partnership with the UNFPA marked a new milestone in the FoCP’s shared journey to achieve the critical goal of cervical cancer prevention and risk reduction. In addition to FoCP’s Ameera Fund, a global cancer fund advanced its humanitarian endeavours at UAE and abroad and conducted training for cancer registrars in charge of the regional cancer registry.

afkarali@khaleejtimes.com