All posts by Abdullah Zafar

Research Matters, Stories of Hope

Scientist studies the effect of carnosol on breast cancer

Celebrated scientist and Al Jalila Foundation research grant recipient, Professor Rabah Iratni from United Arab Emirates University, is studying a naturally occurring polyphenol, carnosol, and its effect on breast cancer.

Breast cancer ranks as the leading cause of cancer death in women worldwide with triple-negative breast cancers (TNBCs) being the most aggressive and invasive form with the worst prognosis. Sadly, TNBCs lack effective treatments with identification of targeted efficient therapies remaining a clinical challenge.

Professor Iratni previously reported that carnosol, a natural compound found in rosemary and sage, induced cell death of the mutant TNBC cells through activation of both autophagic and apoptotic pathways.

This study aims to explain the molecular mechanism through which carnosol exerts its anti-TNBC activity. Based on preliminary results, the team hypothesize that one possible mechanism of action of carnosol on TNBC is through the downregulation of the death-associated protein kinase 1 (DAPK1), a protein recently shown to be essential for the growth TNBCs. The hope is that the findings from this study may reveal a novel therapeutic approach based on small natural molecules targeting DAPK1 in aggressive forms of breast cancer and that carnosol may serve as lead agent for the development of such anti-cancer therapy.

Read more about Professor Iratni’s research here.

Press Release

Al Jalila Foundation launches 5th Edition of #PINKtober as part of the global Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Al Jalila Foundation, a member of the Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives, dedicated to transforming lives through medical innovation, announced today the fifth edition of the nationwide #PINKtober campaign in the lead to Breast Cancer Awareness Month in October.

In the UAE, breast cancer is the most common cancer affecting women constituting 38% of all female cancers which has steadily increased over the last 3 decades. Due to the high prevalence and importance of the disease, Al Jalila Foundation partnered with Brest Friends in 2015 to focus on medical research and improve treatment to combat the disease and ultimately, save lives. To date, Al Jalila Foundation has dedicated over AED 5 million to provide life-saving treatment to 34 patients and fund 9 breast cancer research projects, comprising of 32 leading scientists, investigating the epidemiology of breast cancer.

Breast Cancer Awareness Month is a global movement that has been present in the UAE for over 20 years with the pink ribbon emerging as a symbol of hope. What began as just a few people spreading the message on the existence of the disease, urging women to seek early detection, has turned into a bold campaign championed by people from all cultures, backgrounds and age groups proving that breast cancer is a disease that touches everyone.

2019 marks the 5th edition of #PINKtober led by Al Jalila Foundation in partnership with Brest Friends that has witnessed 419 pink themed community fundraising events to support breast cancer treatment and research.

Dr Abdulkareem Al Olama, Chief Executive Officer of Al Jalila Foundation, said: “Breast cancer remains one of the most serious health challenges and we must support medical research to improve survival rates. Every year during October, we receive overwhelming support from the community to help raise awareness and funds for breast cancer treatment and research in the UAE. #PINKtober events have the power to bring communities together to champion charitable causes and we are proud of our partners’ extraordinary efforts and philanthropic spirit.”

In the past 4 years the month-long community campaign has seen over 400 pink-themed activities and events by government entities, corporates, schools, retailers, hospitality and individual fundraisers. Hundreds of schools in the UAE have taken a lead with young people becoming the messengers of hope in raising awareness on the importance of medical research to save lives by organising bake sales, concerts, art exhibitions, amongst others.

Sports events have proven to be a successful platform uniting the community to champion healthy living. Since inception Al Jalila Foundation has actively promoted sports as a vehicle for fundraising and has been the official charity partner for hundreds of sports events across the UAE including annual flagships events: IGNITE Pink in Punk, ADCB Zayed Sports City Pink Run, Emirates Golf Club Pink Ball Competition and the Fitness First Pink Party.

Dr Houriya Kazim, President and Founder of Brest Friends, said: “Dealing with cancer is one of the hardest challenges that patients and their families could face and Brest Friends in partnership with Al Jalila Foundation aims to be that nurturing support to those coping with the disease. Through spreading the message and giving hope, thousands of women’s lives have been changed as they are able to receive the life-saving treatment they need. Our aim is to keep the campaign message alive beyond October, 365 days a year, echoing the success of the collective efforts for a breast cancer-free world.”

Since the launch of the iconic pink ribbon in 1992, the global campaign attracts support from every sector of society to champion research to end the disease. Major landmarks around the world, including the Burj Khalifa in Dubai, have turned pink in honour of the campaign’s mission to create a breast cancer-free world. The campaign continues to grow with hundreds of pink-themed events held across the UAE to increase awareness of the disease and raise funds for research into its cause, prevention, diagnosis, treatment and cure.

Dr Abdulkareem Sultan Al Olama invites the community to be part of #PINKtober: “Join Al Jalila Foundation this October and make a difference in the lives of patients and families affected by breast cancer.”

 

Stories of Hope

Aya pursues a career in medicine

Aya Akhras’ lifelong dream was to help people and while excelling at biology in high school she set her sights on becoming a doctor. Thanks to her exceptional academic record, in 2016, Aya gained admission to the Mohammed Bin Rashid University of Medicine and Healthcare Sciences (MBRU) College of Medicine to pursue a Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) with a scholarship from Al Jalila Foundation.

“The Al Jalila Foundation scholarship and studying at MBRU give me a great sense of accomplishment and I feel honored to be recognised for my efforts while doing what I love.”

Over the past 3 years, Aya has proven herself a worthy candidate for the sought after scholarship and participated in an internship at Queens University in Belfast, a summer research program at Mayo Clinic and an observership at Cleveland Clinic. Aya is also very involved in student life at MBRU and in addition to her rigorous academic schedule Aya is an aspiring baker who sees baking as a way of spreading happiness and connecting people.

Expected to graduate in 2022, Aya believes that the physician of the future is a multi-faceted individual capable of displaying their talents in many ways. “I see myself practicing as a physician, researcher and hopefully obtaining a position in academia, as I am passionate about medical education and educating the physicians of the digital age.”

Newsletters

Giving Hope with Al Jalila Foundation

September 2019

As a global philanthropic organisation we aim to make a difference by empowering people to offer their unique contribution to better the world through medical innovation. On the occasion of International Day of Charity, Al Jalila Foundation takes the opportunity to inspire giving initiatives and activities to touch the lives of children. Each step we take brings with it a new sense of hope lighting the path for a brighter future and we invite you to make a donation to help us transform lives. Explore some of our programs to see how you can spread hope with Al Jalila Foundation, today.

Stories of Hope

Khalid’s determination inspires the nation

Khalid Al Ali is a young Emirati man with an enchanting smile and a strong will. The 26-year-old athlete – an international swimmer and a member of the UAE National Swim Team – has a long list of hobbies that include horseback riding, sailing and kayaking.

He has also participated in international sports championships in several countries including representing the UAE in kayaking in the Special Olympics World Games held in Abu Dhabi in 2019.

Born with Down syndrome, Khalid has become an inspiring young man, thanks to his perseverance and his family’s support. His Father enrolled in Al Jalila Foundation’s ‘Ta’alouf’ program, which trained him to communicate better with Khalid and understand his feelings and behaviour, helping the family to further empower him towards fulfilling his potential and meeting his aspirations.

Ta’alouf has empowered hundreds of parents and teachers with each one of them working daily to bring inclusiveness into our community, homes, classrooms and playgrounds so every child has the opportunity to thrive and experience all that life has to offer.

Watch Khalid’s Story of Hope here.

Press Release

Al Jalila Foundation basma Ramadan campaign raises AED 1.5 million to give sick children in the UAE a reason to smile

Al Jalila Foundation, a global philanthropic healthcare organisation dedicated to transforming lives, announced the successful completion of the annual Ramadan campaign ‘basma’, smile in Arabic, launched in partnership with a number of hospitality, leisure and retail outlets across the UAE. In its third year the month-long charity campaign has proven to be an established feature on the Ramadan calendar with the record number of 130 retail, hospitality and strategic partners engaging their customers and raising AED 1.5 million to provide life-saving treatment and medical care to children in need.

In line with the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, “to create hope, life and happiness for everyone in the UAE”, Al Jalila Foundation believes that health is the cornerstone to happiness and every child deserves the opportunity to grow up healthy, dream and realise their potential.

Al Jalila Foundation works closely with healthcare partners to develop special treatment programs that meet the needs of patients who are unable to afford quality care. Farah is the Foundation’s paediatric treatment program which to date has invested AED 22 million to help sick children in the UAE.

Her Excellency Dr Raja Easa Al Gurg, Chairperson of the Board of Directors and Member of the Board of Trustees of Al Jalila Foundation, said: “There can be no greater gift than to contribute to the well-being of children in our community and empowering the next generation. We are delighted that our basma campaign has once again brought together an unprecedented number of partners who devoted the month of giving to support Al Jalila Foundation in its mission to improve the lives of young patients.”

Al Jalila Foundation praised its basma partners for their creative initiatives and fundraising efforts to support medical treatment for children under the Ramadan campaign’s slogan “your gift, their smile”.

Long term partners Federal Authority for Government Human Resources (FAHR) and Emirates National Bank of Dubai (ENBD) launched unique SMS campaigns to engage their networks through existing donation platforms. Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) also lead an internal SMS campaign encouraging donations from employees.

noon, the home-grown digital marketplace, included a donation option at check-out, tajawal, a digital solution for holiday bookings, donated AED 5 from each transaction and My Quality & Convenience offered 10% of proceeds from online grocery sales.

The leading hospitality brands in the UAE joined the basma campaign including: 21 Marriott hotels; 11 Jumeirah Restaurant Group dining outlets; 7 Millennium Hotels and Resorts properties; Hyatt hotels; Atlantis The Palm; Media Rotana; Taj Dubai and Pullman Dubai JLT dedicated Iftar and Suhour proceeds to support the campaign. Haji Sahab Restaurant doubled their charity efforts by donating proceeds from Iftar packs distributed to thousands at labour camps in Dubai while Nando’s placed donation boxes at 21 outlets across the UAE. For the sweet-toothed 35 Shakespeare and Co. cafés, La Serre, Pastel Cakes and eat well Restaurant donated a portion of patisserie sales throughout the month.

Kiehl’s created a limited edition collection in collaboration with Lebanese illustrator Nouri Flayhan exclusively for Al Jalila Foundation and The Surf Café in partnership with MonViso Water curated a charity exhibition by local artists donating all sales proceeds. Splash ‘n’ Party, a Dubai kids water park, dedicated proceeds from ‘zipline’ tickets.

In addition to the basma campaign, BNI UAE chapter in partnership with Millennium Hotels and Resorts hosted an elegant charity gala ‘My Giftar’. Al Jalila Foundation also received generous donations during Ramadan from a number of organisations including Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank; Commercial Bank of Dubai; amongst others.

To conclude the month of giving and in celebration of Eid, Team Al Jalila visited young patients at Al Jalila Children’s Specialty Hospital and spent time reading stories to the children, playing games and bringing some joy to the little ones. Drawing on the support of basma partners and the campaign’s values of generosity and compassion Al Jalila Foundation touched hearts and spread smiles to sick children most in need.