Jawaher witnesses signing ceremony

A historic agreement of collaboration between Friends of Cancer Patients (FoCP) and American Cancer Society (ACS), has recently been signed in the presence of H.H. Sheikha Jawaher bint Mohammed Al Qasimi, Wife of the Ruler of Sharjah, Founder and Royal Patron of the Friends of Cancer Patients charity (FoCP), International Ambassador of the World Cancer Declaration for Union for International Cancer Control (UICC) and International Ambassador for Childhood Cancer for UICC.
The agreement was signed during H.H.'s visit to the American Cancer Society (ACS) in New York, where she met with Ambassador Sally Cowell, Senior Vice President of Global Health at ACS and Cary Adams, CEO of Union for International Cancer Control (UICC).
On behalf of FoCP, the agreement was signed by Ameera Binkaram President of the Board of Trustees and a founding member of the Friends of Cancer Patients charity (FoCP) and Ambassador Sally Cowal signed for ACS.
The agreement opens up new areas of partnership and co-operation between the two organisations. In particular, it grants FoCP the licence to bring the ACS Relay For Life event to the Middle East for the first time.
"It gives me great pleasure to announce this important strategic partnership with the American Cancer Society," said H.H. Sheikha Jawaher bint Mohammed Al Qasimi during the official signing event in New York. "Our two charities share much in common, especially in how we see support and awareness as central to helping patients and their families overcome cancer.
She added, "Through this agreement we aim to strengthen the ties between the two entities, and unite in a range of collaborative efforts. Friends of Cancer Patients is delighted to be able to offer American Cancer Society a home in the U.A.E. in which to anchor its Relay for Life program in the Middle East for the first time. We look forward to growing this global success story in our region, and to widening the global reach and impact of solidarity in how society supports cancer patients, and their families and friends." Relay For Life is a life-changing event that gives communities across the globe a chance to Celebrate the lives of people who have battled cancer, Remember loved ones lost, and Fight Back against the disease. Each year, more than 4 million people in over 20 countries take part in this global phenomenon, raising much-needed funds and awareness to help save lives from cancer, and support patients and their families along their treatment journeys.
The licence agreement makes official a long-term vision for collaboration between FoCP and ACS. This vision began two years ago, when FoCP visited the ACS stand at the UICC World Cancer Congress in Montreal, and was first introduced to the global success of Relay For Life.
Following the signing ceremony, the FoCP delegation, led by H.H. Sheikha Jawaher, visited the ‘Hope Lodge', an inspirational facility that is provided in over 31 US locations by ACS. At each Hope Lodge, cancer patients are called ‘guests', and they and their families can relax in a nurturing, home-like environment, free from the worry of paying for treatment, and surrounded by hope and help on how best to overcome cancer.
Source: WAM