FOCP raises 2021 budget by 17% to help more cancer patients

Friends of Cancer Patients (FOCP), a UAE-based civil society organisation dedicated to reducing the burden of cancer in the community by generating awareness and offering financial support to patients in need, recently held a board meeting to strategise an action plan for a new 2-year cycle.

Among the key decisions made, one was to increase FOCP’s annual budget by 17 percent dedicated to help and support cancer patients, as the entity envisions to bring more patients within its folds of care in 2021.

During the course of FOCP general assembly which was also attended by representatives of the UAE Ministry of Community Development, an election of the new Board was held and the annual report presented.

The new FOCP board includes former members, namely Sawsan Jafar, Chairperson of the FOCP Board; Sheikha Lubna Bint Khalid Al Qasimi, Vice-Chairperson of the FOCP Board; Sheikha Jawaher Bint Abdullah Al Qasimi, FOCP Board Secretary General; Mohammed Juma Al Musharrakh, Board Treasurer; and Noha Mohammed Safar. Newly elected board members include Sheikha Aisha Al Qasimi; Ibrahim Al Khayal; Dr. Moza Al Shehhi; Meera Taryam Al Shamsi; Khawla Al Serkal and Dr. Omar Al Hammadi.

FOCP’s management and financial reports of 2020, and the report of their external auditors, Ernst & Young, were also presented and ratified by the board members during the meeting.

Sawsan Jafar said: “During our 2021 budget discussions, board members highlighted the need to expand FOCP’s support to more cancer patients in the UAE who are unable to afford high treatment costs and require moral and psychological support during their treatment. The decision to increase FOCP’s 2021 patient support budget by 17 percent is in line with our objectives to reach out to as many patients and their families as possible and provide them with the needed support and follow up during treatment. As a charitable organisation our achievements are directly proportionate with the support of our patrons, partners and donors, and I would like to thank them wholeheartedly once again and reiterate that every new cancer patient whose life we touch this year has been made possible because of your compassion and generosity.”

Jafar stressed that the new board of directors is committed to further FOCP’s vision to raise community awareness about cancer prevention and facilitate patients’ access to medical care to improve their lives. “Our mission reflects the UAE’s community spirit and aligns with the directives of Her Highness Sheikha Jawaher Bint Mohammed Al Qasimi, Wife of the Ruler of Sharjah, and Founder and Patron of FOCP, to promote institutional effort for cancer prevention and control,” she added.

FOCP was founded in 1999 to provide moral and financial support to cancer patients and their families and raise awareness about the importance of early detection. The organisation has provided its services across the UAE residents of all nationalities and age groups. Donations raised by FOCP cover a broad spectrum of support including chemotherapy treatment expenses, radiation, surgical procedures and other urgent expenses during the early stages of care and treatment.

A recent report said in conjunction with the 6th edition of the GCC Cancer Awareness Campaign, the UAE-based civil society organisation, Friends of Cancer Patients (FOCP) is organising a series of activities to foster greater public awareness about cancer with an emphasis on the importance of early detection.

The awareness programme is organised annually by the UAE’s Ministry of Health and Prevention in collaboration with the Gulf Federation for Cancer Control.

Through such events, the FOCP stresses its commitment to be a part of all local, regional and global initiatives for combating cancer.

The FOCP’s participation in the campaign this year extends throughout February. Two virtual workshops have already taken place in collaboration with the University of Sharjah on 4th and 7th February, 2021. The first session focused on educating participants about colon cancer while the second workshop targeted gallbladder and bile duct cancer.

The FOCP will also be sharing two awareness messages daily on their social media handles, to benefit the community.