Sharjah24: Many of us have lost a loved one to cancer. Sometimes the reason is a late diagnosis or lack of information, or the inability to bear the high costs of cancer treatment. Friends of Cancer Patients (FOCP), a UAE-based organisation, has been turning the tide of cancer in favour of humanity since 1999, saving hundreds of lives that would have probably otherwise succumbed to cancer. In the process, FOCP has inspired hope and joy in the lives of patients and their families, donors and the larger community.
“Had it not been for the consistent and committed generosity extended by individuals and entities in the UAE and beyond, the civil society organisation’s efforts wouldn’t have been able to make this difference”, says Sawsan Jafar, Chairperson of FOCP Board of Directors, as the world comes together to renew their commitment to social responsibility on International Day of Charity.
While medical interventions as well as research work to prevent, diagnose and treat the disease have advanced leaps and bounds, cancer continues to remain a global health challenge as a leading cause of illness and death. The urgency “Every year, institutions like ours all over the world help to save and improve people’s lives - fighting disease, protecting children, and giving hope to many thousands of people. Charity is vital, not only because it ensures the success of life-saving work, but also because it helps us become better human beings and leading members of society”, asserted Jafar.
“At FOCP, our vision is to see a world where cancer no longer has power over our lives. We have come a long way in realising this vision, thanks to the committed support of our visionary leaders, His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, and his wife, Her Highness Sheikha Jawaher bint Mohammed Al Qasimi, Founder and Patron, FOCP, and to the philanthropic leadership of our sponsors and partners from both public and private sectors as well as individual donors. I take this opportunity to extend our heartfelt gratitude to all of them - their charity, particularly seen in their support towards FOCP’s Zakat campaign this year, has enabled us to spend AED 1.15 million just in patient support in the first half of 2022, covering 118 affected individuals and their families including women and children,” FOCP BOD Chairperson further added.
In addition, FOCP has organised 21 advocacy events, 14 patient engagement activities and 11 events involving members of the community. Through the civil society organisation’s special programmes like Joy Cart and Color My World - designed to to offer moral support to young patients suffering from paediatric malignancies - have benefitted 528 children and their families this year.
FOCP’s Pink Caravan Medical Mobile Clinic travelled across the nation, offering 286 free mammograms in its state-of-the-art facility on wheels via 33 activations.
Charitable contributions have also supported FOCP’s high-level advocacy efforts. The second edition of the Gulf Survivors Forum, organised virtually earlier in June under the theme, ‘Together to Empower’, brought together 181 participants and experts from 17 nations.
FOCP leads more than 10 leading initiatives that encompass its three main activity pillars - patient support, community engagement and local and global advocacy. To make a charitable contribution to any of these initiatives, please visit https://www.focp.ae.
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