FOCP calls on UAE community to offer hope to cancer patients

FOCP, which provides medical, financial, and emotional support to cancer patients and their families throughout the year, has renewed its appeal to the UAE community to be unstinting in their support this year, and to generously contribute their Zakat to bring hope to the neediest sections of the Muslim community in keeping with the spirit and values of the holy month of Ramadan.  

To help cancer patients find all the resources and treatment options they need to fight cancer, FOCP is calling on donors to make their contributions digitally via SMS and website donations, bank transfers and online coupon purchases for its 2022 Ramadan Zakat campaign. From as little as AED 10 upwards, private and government entities, banks, corporate houses as well as UAE residents can contribute to this noble cause to cover costs of chemotherapy, radiation, transplants, medication, surgeries, and other expenses incurred during the varying stages of diagnosis and treatment. 

The FOCP initiative is made possible by the Fatwa issued by the Permanent Fatwa Committee in Sharjah which states that it is permissible to use zakat funds to treat poor and needy patients, if they cannot afford treatment costs.

Since its launch in 2013, FOCP’s Zakat campaign has raised AED 11.1 million from community members, government bodies and private organisations, which has supported the cancer treatment journeys of 2,020 patients in the UAE who cannot afford it. In 2021, the campaign raised a sum of AED 2.2 million and supported the treatment journeys of 354 patients and helped fund 29 chemotherapies, 4 radiotherapies, and 5 surgeries. In addition, the funds have also supported 20 patients with medications and 17 requiring scans, while also contributing to the purchase of 53 vital medical equipment and sponsoring of 206 families with essential food items.  

In a statement, Amel Al Maazmi, Director, Corporate Excellence at FOCP, said: “Apart from being a noble act, zakat has a deep humanitarian value. To direct one’s zakat contributions to a cause that gives children, women, and men a fair chance against cancer, brings hope to those who cannot afford the high costs of cancer treatment. The holy month of Ramadan, marked by prayers, good deeds, and charitable works, is the right time to show our compassion and care to those in need of essential support.”

She added: “FOCP’s Zakat campaign covers a range of diagnostic and therapeutic treatment costs that is fundamental to the general and long-term health and wellbeing of those with cancer and funds received will be directed to treating the most underprivileged patients. The campaign title, ‘I Deserve a Life’ embodies the philosophy that everyone has a right to live. By facilitating access to the right medical treatment, each one of us can contribute to saving – and changing – the lives of those with cancer. So, I urge everyone to come forward and give cancer patients in need this precious gift of health – and hope.”

How to donate

To support the vital work done by FOCP, individuals and organisations in the UAE can choose to make a difference in the lives of people with cancer in several ways. 

1. Online donations: To ensure that cancer patients receive the lifesaving treatment and access to care they need, make your donations directly to FOCP’s ‘I Deserve a Life’ Zakat fund via its website: www.focp.ae
2. Zakat coupons: Help cancer patients through their treatment journey by purchasing Zakat coupons of AED 10, 50,100, 500 and 1,000 at https://focp.ae/coupon
3. SMS Donations: Save lives with a simple SMS! Message the word ‘Zakat’ to the Etisalat numbers: 6447 to donate AED 20; 4426 to donate AED 50, 4467 to donate AED 200; or 2308 to donate AED 500.
4. Bank Transfers: You may donate any amount of money to support FOCP’s mission by transferring funds into FOCP’s ‘Zakatkm Elajohm’ local account number 0011-364854-002 at the Sharjah Islamic Bank (International Bank Account Number ‘IBAN’: AE440410000011364854002).