Al Jalila Foundation, a member of the Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives dedicated to transforming lives through medical innovation, has recognised Marriott International, the world-renowned hospitality chain, as a longstanding partner and major supporter of their mission. Since the collaboration began, in 2015, Marriott International has raised AED 11 million making it the largest contribution by any hospitality chain to date.

Aligned to the vision of Dubai Academic Health Corporation (DAHC) to work together to advance health for humanity, Al Jalila Foundation works with its partners to impact lives and shape the future of health. Philanthropic support is integral to achieving Al Jalila Foundation’s giving mission.

Every year, since 2015, Marriott International and its employees across the UAE have raised funds to give hope to sick children and their families through the ‘Road to Awareness’ fundraising campaign. The program runs throughout the year bringing together hotel employees and customers to support important humanitarian causes.

In addition to championing children’s health, Marriott International is also a regular champion in the fight to end breast cancer offering its support to Al Jalila Foundation #PINKtober campaign every October during Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

‘Road to Awareness’ is an annual associate fundraising program by Marriott International that has been making a valuable difference to the lives of children in the region since its inception in 2008. Every year, employees organise fundraising events to help raise funds to support the vital work local charities and organisations do to improve the lives of children. The annual cycle challenge has continued to be an anchor of the program with cyclists from across Marriott International hotels riding for charity.

Dr Amer Al Zarooni, CEO of the Al Jalila Foundation said “The Road to Awareness program is a shining example of how creative collaborations and initiatives can generate sustainable charitable revenues. As a philanthropic organisation, our ability to create lasting impact is dependent on sustainable donations. Fortunately, Marriott International has been a steadfast supporter in our efforts, sharing our vision to improve the lives of those in need. Together, with their continued support, we are able to make a meaningful difference in the communities we serve. We are grateful for Marriott’s extraordinary efforts and philanthropic spirit, and look forward to continue our work together to make a difference in the lives of patients and their families.”

“Marriott International is proud to have contributed to the Al Jalila Foundation’s mission over the past decade,” said Sandeep Walia, Chief Operating Officer, Middle East at Marriott International. “Our work with Al Jalila Foundation is a testament to Marriott’s commitment to serve the communities in which we operate. We recognise the critical role that Al Jalila Foundation plays in transforming lives, and we are honoured to support its work.”

Marriott International’s support of Al Jalila Foundation falls under the company’s Sustainability and Social Impact Platform, Serve 360: “Doing Good in Every Direction”, which guides how the company makes a positive and sustainable impact wherever it does business.

Pam Wilby, Chair of the UAE Marriott Business Council, said: “Since 2015 the Marriott Business Council has been supporting Al Jalila Foundation programs through a number of fundraising activities. Our Marriott associates work hard to raise funds throughout the year to support Al Jalila Foundation healthcare programs through the ‘Road to Awareness’ associates program to support patient treatment. We are very proud that more than 16,000 Marriott associates across our hotels working passionately to make a difference to the lives of women and children in the UAE.”

In 2021, the UAE Marriott Business Council sponsored the design and fit-out of Majlis Al Amal. The first of its kind community centre provides a safe, nurturing environment for women affected by cancer. It is a ‘home away from home’ to support patients and survivors’ wellbeing.

Pam Wilby added “We have been on an immensely gratifying, philanthropic journey with Al Jalila Foundation for several years now, and we remain committed to our relationship and the lives it impacts.”

Marriott International strives to be a force for good and their contribution to Al Jalila Foundation is a testament to the company’s commitment to social responsibility and making a positive, sustainable impact in the communities they operate in. The company has a long history of supporting local and global organisations through charitable giving and volunteerism.

Al Jalila Foundation, a non-profit healthcare organisation dedicated to transforming lives through medical innovation, and a member of the Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives, announced today that it has launched the first-ever collection of Non-Fungible Tokens (NFTs) by a charity in the UAE.

The collection, titled ‘A Fingerprint on Humanity’, is the brainchild of visionary Emirati artist Maisoon Al Saleh and aims to raise awareness and generate funds for patients impacted by life-threatening diseases in the UAE.

Dr Amer Al Zarooni, CEO of Al Jalila Foundation, said, “In accordance with the Dubai Metaverse Strategy to become a worldwide hub for the metaverse community, we are proud to be the first healthcare charity in the UAE to accept donations in cryptocurrencies, bridging the gap between physical and digital currency. Our inaugural NFT collection, ‘A Fingerprint of Humanity,’ encourages our donor community to make a positive impact on patients. This initiative is part of our ongoing efforts to promote innovation within our fund-raising channels and provide donors worldwide with the convenience of supporting our healthcare programmes.”

The collection comprises five one-of-a-kind NFTs, with each NFT illustrated as a letter that contains the most precious content: ‘hope’. Each letter represents a particular cause, such as cancer, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, mental health, and obesity. Drawing inspiration from Al Jalila Foundation’s ground-breaking donor recognition wall, ‘Bassmat Rashid Bin Saeed’, Maisoon has incorporated a fingerprint on each wax seal that adorns the letters. The fingerprint symbolises the enduring impact that every individual can make on society.

Every NFT in the collection is colour-coded to signify a specific cause, and 100% of the proceeds from the sale of each NFT will go toward supporting Al Jalila Foundation. By possessing one of these exclusive NFTs, collectors can establish a legacy and contribute positively to society, one NFT at a time.

Maisoon Al Saleh, the artist behind the charitable NFT, expressed: “I urge artists to use their creative talents to support a charitable cause. My association with Al Jalila Foundation dates back to 2014 when I curated an art exhibition that led to the creation of this series of NFTs.”

The NFT collection was unveiled at Arts DAO Fest, a pioneering cultural festival that celebrates digital art and internet culture, bringing together worldwide industry experts and leaders. The festival was organised by the Dubai-based Arts DAO, which represents the Middle East’s most extensive web3 community.

Anas Bhurtun, Co-founder and CEO of Arts DAO, expressed his excitement by stating: “We are delighted to have Al Jalila Foundation as a charity partner for Arts DAO Fest. Innovation is the driving force behind Arts DAO, and when we learned that Al Jalila Foundation would become the first charitable organisation to release NFTs to raise funds for patient treatment and medical research, we knew we had to introduce them to the web3 community we’ve established here in the Middle East.”

The NFT collection is currently up for sale on OpenSea in Ethereum and the ftNFT Marketplace in the UAE Dirham.

Vigen Badalyan, Co-Founder of ftNFT, commented: “We are honoured to have been chosen as the preferred platform by Al Jalila Foundation to unveil the UAE’s first charitable NFT. Our distinctive platform enables our clients to purchase NFTs in the UAE Dirham, which sets us apart from others. We are delighted to be part of such initiatives that make a significant contribution to the community.”

NFTs are digital assets that represent ownership or proof of authenticity of a unique item or piece of content such as art, music, videos, or even tweets. They are based on blockchain technology and can be bought and sold like traditional assets, but they are distinguishable from one another and cannot be exchanged for one another, hence the name “non-fungible”. NFTs have gained popularity in recent years as a way for artists and creators to monetise their digital creations and for collectors to own one-of-a-kind digital assets.

Al Jalila Foundation, a philanthropic healthcare organisation dedicated to transforming lives through medical innovation, announced the launch of a new cycle of grants to support cancer research in the UAE.

The new cycle, which will award grants to UAE-based scientists, is in line with the vision of the Dubai Academic Health Corporation (DAHC) to advance health for humanity. It also reinforces Dubai’s position as a leading destination in the field of medical education, research and scientific innovation.

Al Jalila Foundation is inviting applications to conduct a two-year cancer research study to address local and regional needs. The new grant cycle will provide up to AED300,000 to support basic science, translational and clinical research projects. The grants are available to UAE nationals and residents, provided they conduct the research in the UAE. Applicants should also be holding positions at universities, research or clinical institutions in the UAE.

According to the Foundation, the applications will be assessed through an independent, international peer review process that will be overseen by a scientific advisory committee. The committee will consist of specialised experts in the region, who will work with the international peer review panel, to award research grants to the most deserving scientists.

Dr Amer Al Zarooni, Vice President of Administration and Professional Services of MBRU and Acting CEO of  Al Jalila Foundation, said: “Al Jalila Foundation’s latest grant cycle, which is in line with DAHC’s ‘Patient First’ mission, will further support our efforts to advance scientific discovery and promote better health outcomes to improve the wellbeing of cancer patients in the UAE. The Foundation’s investment in medical research reaffirms our commitment to the UAE’s long-term healthcare strategy. By supporting talented scientists, we are investing in the next generation of innovators in health sciences and paving the way for medical breakthroughs to transform lives.”

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), cancer is the second leading cause of death globally, accounting for one in six deaths. The cancer burden continues to grow globally, exerting tremendous physical, emotional and financial strain on individuals, families, communities and health systems.  Cancer research – to discover, detect, prevent, and treat the disease – is integral to progress in understanding the fundamental biology of cancer and new prevention measures, tests and treatments.

Since 2013, Al Jalila Foundation has awarded more than AED28 million in research grants in a number of areas including cancer, diabetes and cardiovascular diseases.

Applications are open until 16 January, 2023. Scientists interested to apply for a research grant can visit Al Jalila Foundation’s website:  https://www.aljalilafoundation.ae/what-we-do/research/seed-grants/

Al Jalila Foundation, a member of the Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives dedicated to transforming lives through medical innovation, celebrated the 17th anniversary of longstanding partner Brest Friends acknowledging the impact the home-grown program has contributed to breast cancer awareness in the UAE.

It is estimated that one in eight women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetime and it is the second leading cause of death among women. Studies show that when breast cancer is detected and treated early the survival rate is 99 percent. Al Jalila Foundation and Brest Friends work together to raise awareness on early detection.

Brest Friends was established in 2005 as the first breast cancer support group in the UAE, by Dr Houriya Kazim, the UAE’s first female surgeon, with the mission to save lives by increasing awareness of breast cancer and providing a platform where patients and survivors can learn, share experiences and offer moral and emotional support to each other which has proven to be instrumental in a woman’s healing process. It is thanks to Dr Houriya’s dedication and foresight, almost 20 years ago, to create a special movement that has impacted thousands of women and inspired the community. What was once a taboo subject has transformed into a national conversation promoting breast cancer awareness nation-wide.

Dr Abdulkareem Sultan Al Olama, CEO of Al Jalila Foundation, said: “Brest Friends is an organisation that is a shining example of what can be accomplished when you nourish one small seed with courage, dedication and passion. Today we see the astonishing growth of that seed as the movement against breast cancer has never been bigger with a wider community reach. It is undeniable that the incredible work of Brest Friends over the last 17 years has saved more lives than we will ever know. We commend Dr Houriya, the Brest Friends Board and the community of breast cancer warriors on their dedication and we could not be more proud of the great impact their work has had on the lives of women.”

Dr Houriya Kazim, Founder and President of Brest Friends, said: “When I started Brest Friends, the only qualifications that I brought to the task were the experience of treating breast cancer patients and the desire to help my patients survive the experience. But here we are – 17 years of giving our members a nurturing, safe and fun environment where women are supported as they go through the difficult breast cancer journey. Cancer is an individual experience; each person has a unique path and we are in awe of all the incredible women who have been a part of the Brest Friends family who have met challenges with such a strength of spirit and grace. It takes my breath away. These women are testament that breast cancer can be beaten and that there is life after cancer.”

The anniversary luncheon was held at Rhodes W1 at Grosvenor House, sponsored by Marriott Business Council, commemorating the positive impact Brest Friends has had on women in the UAE. It was a celebration of 17 years of friendships and an opportunity to honour the brave women who have faced breast cancer with incredible courage, grace and hope.

Pam Wilby, Chair of the UAE Marriott Business Council, said: “My team and I were thrilled to once again host the Brest Friends anniversary and share in the celebrations of such a joyous occasion – it’s so inspiring to be among so many incredible women and to be able to celebrate each of them and their triumphant journey.”

Pam added: “Since 2015 the Marriott Business Council has been supporting Al Jalila Foundation programs through a number of fundraising activities. Our Marriott associates work hard to raise funds throughout the year to support Al Jalila Foundation healthcare programs including the partnership with Brest Friends. I am very proud that that we now have 69 Marriott hotels and 16,000 Marriott associates working passionately to make a difference to the lives of women in the UAE.”

To mark Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Al Jalila Foundation launched the 8th edition of #PINKtober in partnership with Brest Friends. The month-long community campaign unites hundreds of partners – ranging from schools, corporates, hospitality, retailers and government entities – who host pink-themed events across the UAE to raise awareness and funds for breast cancer research and patient treatment.

In a move set to provide a boost to Dubai’s scientific research capabilities, the Al Jalila Foundation, together with the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), part of the US National Institutes of Health (NIH), and three UAE universities have announced the establishment of the UAE-NIH Collaborative Research Initiative (UAE-NIH-CRI).

Al Jalila Foundation is a non-profit healthcare organisation dedicated to transforming lives through medical innovation. The UAE universities participating in the collaborative initiative include Mohammed Bin Rashid University of Medicine and Health Sciences, Khalifa University, and UAE University. The partnership between Dubai’s Al Jalila Foundation, NIH, and three of the UAE’s most reputable academic institutions is the first of its kind in the Arab world.

The UAE-NIH-CRI will support ongoing and new meritorious UAE-US research cooperation. It will foster cooperative research among UAE and US researchers with shared priorities related to infectious, immunologic, and allergic diseases. The initiative will also boost the UAE’s capacity in biomedical research through scientific training opportunities, with the partner organisations contributing combined funding of almost AED14 million over three years.

The UAE-NIH-CRI is expected to fund up to six meritorious awards over three years to support pioneering research collaborations among UAE and US scientists, bringing the brightest minds together.

While announcing the initiative, Dr Abdulkareem Sultan Al Olama, CEO of Al Jalila Foundation, said: “Science has no borders and will flourish through global collaboration, knowledge transfer, and continuous innovation. Our vision is to foster world-class medical research to deliver medical breakthroughs. This partnership will further enhance our efforts to advance scientific discovery and be a leader in medical innovation. We are confident that our work together will promote better health outcomes and improve patients’ quality of life.” Dr Abdulkareem encouraged researchers in the UAE and the US to work together to apply for collaborative research funding.

Merit-based funding

A council representing the five participating organisations will oversee the UAE-NIH-CRI, review the scientific merit of applications, make funding recommendations, and review progress reports. The merit review process will be handled independently by a panel of unconflicted experts.

Application process

A request soliciting proposals from researchers for the UAE-NIH-CRI awards [https://www.crdfglobal.org/funding-opportunities/uae-nih-collaborative-awards-2023/] was released on 31 August 2022 by CRDF Global, an independent non-profit organisation. The application deadline is 16 December 2022. Grant recipients will be announced in the spring or early summer of 2023.

Al Jalila Foundation, a member of the Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives, dedicated to transforming lives through medical innovation, announced that it has received the first donation in cryptocurrency to support Hamdan Bin Rashid Cancer Charity Hospital.

The donation, the first of its kind in the UAE, was made by the founders of QUINT, a revolutionary token championing mainstream adoption of DeFi and cryptocurrencies by bringing real-world rewards and perks to investors. QUINT has donated an equivalent value of USD 16 million to support Hamadan Bin Rashid Cancer Charity Hospital. The funds will be made available to Al Jalila Foundation through a specially devised locking and vesting mechanism over a 3-year roadmap aligned with the bone marrow transplant centre’s construction plan.

After complete realisation of the donation, the facility will be named “QUINT Bone Marrow Transplant Centre” on launch, and will cater for cancer patients who could otherwise not afford specialised medical treatment. Quint’s development team and strategic partners have also contributed generously towards this donation.

Dr Abdulkareem Sultan Al Olama, CEO at Al Jalila Foundation, said: “As a philanthropic organisation we rely on charitable donations and we are always seeking innovative ways to expand our donation channels for ease of convenience for donors from all around the world to support our programmes. Crypto philanthropy has emerged as an important and sustainable source of fundraising for charities, giving donors greater opportunities to support humanitarian causes. We are grateful to QUINT for their generous contribution that will have a great impact on the lives of adults and children suffering from cancer.”

Bone marrow transplant (also known as stem cell transplant) is a medical procedure that infuses healthy stem cells to replace damaged or diseased bone marrow. This treatment is usually for cancers such as leukaemia, lymphoma, or other similar life-threatening conditions. The replacement bone marrow or stem cells can come from the patient themselves (autologous transplantation) or from a donor (allogeneic transplantation).

QUINT, a flagship crypto and DeFi project on the BSC chain, has innovated the idea of super-staking pools that allow investors to benefit from real-world perks, rewards and investment opportunities. The Quint boutique NFT Market Place brings digital art to real-world collectors and connoisseurs, displayed in beautiful Token Frames. In May 2022 Quint partnered with Galaxy Racer (GXR), a transmedia powerhouse focused on esports, content creators, music, and sports, headquartered in Dubai, and became the native token for the GXR ecosystem. The Quint ecosystem is supporting the Dubai Blockchain Strategy and Emirates Blockchain Strategy, and is establishing new standards for ESG, transparency, accountability and deliverability within the cryptocurrency space.

Mr Mohammed Al Bulooki, Chairman of Quint, said: “Quint’s founders, developers and partners support Al Jalila Foundation’s aim of transforming lives through medical research, and are delighted to be able to contribute to this mission. Quint prides itself on contributing to community well-being and holding itself to high standards of governance and ethics. As part of our mission of connecting the metaverse to the real world, and boosting mainstream adoption of cryptocurrencies and DeFi, we are pleased to be amongst the first to embrace crypto philanthropy in the UAE and the Middle East.”

Quint’s founding team and strategic partners are all industry veterans with strong track records. It is noteworthy that Quint’s CEO Mr Rahul Chaudhary sits at the helm of CG Corp Global, a multi-billion-dollar multinational conglomerate spanning 140 years of operation, 160 companies and 123 brands in over 35 countries.

In less than a year, Al Jalila Foundation has already raised AED390 million, towards the AED750 million fundraising target, with major donations received from a number of philanthropists, government and non-government organisations, UAE businesses and corporates to support the development of the UAE’s first cancer charity hospital.

To learn more about Quint’s Ecosystem, visit:  https://quint.io/

Al Jalila Foundation, a nonprofit healthcare organisation dedicated to transforming lives through medical innovation, and a member of the Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives, announced that Moafaq Ahmed Al Gaddah & Sons had pledged AED10 million to support the Hamdan Bin Rashid Cancer Charity Hospital, the UAE’s first charity hospital aimed at helping cancer patients in need.

Named after the late Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the hospital will provide best-in-class outpatient, ambulatory and diagnostic services as well as inpatient and surgical services in a nurturing environment that prides itself on personalised patient care. With a capacity to treat 30,000 patients a year, the comprehensive charity hospital aims to redefine cancer care for those in need and become a beacon of hope for cancer patients and their families.

In the 14 months since the hospital’s announcement, Al Jalila Foundation has already raised AED390 million, surpassing the 50% milestone of the AED750 million fundraising target. Al Jalila Foundation has received significant donations from philanthropists, government and non-government organisations, UAE businesses and corporates.

According to the World Health Organisation, cancer is the second leading cause of death globally, accounting for one in six deaths. The cancer burden continues to grow globally, exerting tremendous physical, emotional and financial strain on individuals, families, communities and health systems. Studies show that low-income cancer patients cannot access timely quality diagnosis and life-saving treatment. Survival rates are dependent on accessible early detection and quality medical care.

Dr Abdulkareem Sultan Al Olama, CEO of Al Jalila Foundation, said: “The health and wellbeing of the UAE’s citizens and residents is one of Al Jalila Foundation’s top priorities. The Hamdan Bin Rashid Cancer Charity Hospital will become a leader in cancer care, serving patients unable to afford quality care. Donor support is integral to our success in developing the state-of-the-art hospital. We are grateful to MAG Group for their generous donation that will greatly impact the lives of adults and children with cancer. The hospital will offer unparalleled cancer expertise and make an invaluable contribution to the country’s healthcare sector, putting patient care first.”

MAG Group Holding has a strong philosophy underpinned by the belief that every individual plays a vital role in developing, preserving, and sustaining their communities.

Moafaq Ahmed Al Gaddah, Chairman and Founder of MAG Group Holding, said: “The world grows in kindness when we give in kindness. It is with pride that we give to the future of our community and this nation. The unconditional gifts of time and money are a life-changing force for good in the world. As people become more prosperous and economies grow stronger, it is our duty to create an opportunity to build an ever-stronger culture of giving the right to live across the world. The UAE and Dubai governments encourage the spirit of generosity. They have created an environment where a strong civil society can flourish, allowing people to reach out to those less fortunate than themselves. We are proud and honoured to support Al Jalila Foundation in its noble efforts to establish the Hamdan Bin Rashid Cancer Charity Hospital to improve the lives of cancer patients.”

Al Jalila Foundation, a non-profit organisation dedicated to transforming lives through medical innovation and a member of the Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives, celebrated 70 new graduates from the eighth cohort of the Ta’alouf Teachers Training programme. The programme equips teachers with knowledge and skills to better understand the learning needs of children of determination. The latest edition of the programme directly impacted 231 children of determination and indirectly more than 11,700 children in the UAE.

The programme, which runs for one academic year, was established in 2014 in partnership with Zayed University. It is supported by the UAE’s Ministry of Education and Dubai’s Knowledge and Human Development Authority. The Ta’alouf (harmony in Arabic) programme is delivered in English and Arabic. The eighth cohort comprised teachers of 12 nationalities. The teachers, 70% of whom were UAE nationals, came from all UAE emirates.

Dr Abdulkareem Sultan Al Olama, CEO of Al Jalila Foundation, said: “The graduation of the eighth cohort marks another milestone in our commitment to an inclusive society where parents, educators, strategic partners and the wider community work together to empower children of determination. At the heart of Ta’alouf is social inclusion, and we will continue to champion it in our classrooms, our playgrounds, and our communities so that every child, irrespective of their ability, has the opportunity to shine. It is heartwarming to hear from teachers how ‘life-changing’ the programme has been and how it continues to bring out the best in their pupils.”

The comprehensive programme includes monthly training sessions, participation in professional learning communities, and individual mentoring sessions. The latest edition of the programme saw 32 initiatives implemented in schools across the UAE to promote inclusion. These initiatives included awareness sessions for students, parents and teachers; buddy programs; and several other programmes aimed at improving the learning experience for children of determination.

“At Al Jalila Foundation, we are committed to delivering the most effective educational programme to improve the lives of children with special needs. We are proud to have had the opportunity to empower teachers nationwide and provide them with life-changing skills to ensure a continuum of care between a child’s home and school,” said Dr Abdulkareem.

With the support of its partners and donors, Al Jalila Foundation has invested AED3 million since the beginning of the programme to equip teachers with the knowledge to empower children of determination to reach their full potential and realise their dreams.

Dr Clayton Mackenzie, Zayed University Provost, said: “Celebrating the eighth cohort of the Ta’alouf Teachers Training Program marks a meaningful partnership with Al Jalila Foundation. Zayed University has always supported exceptional training and development programmes, which have been carefully curated and designed by the Institute of Community Engagement (ICE) to meet the specific needs of different government entities, universities and the different segments of the UAE community. We are working hard to support the UAE’s cultural, social, economic, and educational development by providing diverse joint-training and development programmes and activities that address the needs of the different community groups.”

Al Jalila Foundation, in partnership with Zayed University, has delivered eight cohorts and trained 548 teachers from 163 government and private schools across the seven emirates, reaffirming its commitment to children of determination and their happiness and wellbeing.

Healthcare crowdfunding in Dubai has received a strong push with the success of A’awen Giving, an online crowdfunding platform launched by the Al Jalila Foundation, a member of the Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives. The Foundation today announced that in less than a year since its launch, the platform has raised over AED1 million from the community to support patients in their healing journey.

A’awen, Arabic for ‘support’, is Al Jalila Foundation’s treatment support programme that provides financial assistance to UAE-based patients in need. The programme seeks to alleviate some of the financial burden of patients suffering from life-threatening illnesses who are unable to afford quality healthcare.

Growth in crowdfunding

Corporations and individuals in the UAE have increasingly been showing support for the A’awen Giving programme, which provides donors a convenient digital channel to provide financial aid to patients with critical illnesses. The expansion in the platform’s donor base mirrors the rapid growth of the global healthcare crowdfunding market in recent years. The latest studies indicate that donors prefer to contribute to individual campaigns, which allow them to connect with the beneficiary and follow their journey.

Digital platform crowdfunding is particularly attractive to young people. As much as 17% of online donations are made on mobile devices. This easy-to-use method makes charitable donations convenient and rewarding.

As a registered UAE charity, Al Jalila Foundation invites donations from individuals to help patients, with the assurance that the funds raised will be used fully to support patients. Through the A’awen Giving online platform, donors can have the confidence that their donations will make a real difference to the lives of people within the community and that 100% of their donation contributes to the patient’s medical treatment.

 A’awen Giving

The A’awen Giving website features stories of patients who require life-changing treatment and the funds they are seeking to raise to cover their medical expenses. Online donors receive regular updates on the success of the fundraising campaign and are notified when the full amount is raised. As part of its efforts to expand the network of donors, the crowdfunding platform has created a unique feature that enables donors to challenge their friends and family to match their donations.

Dr  Abdulkareem Sultan Al Olama, CEO of Al Jalila Foundation, said: “In today’s digital world, we want to make it as easy as possible for people to help those in need, so we created a platform where the community can give at any time, from anywhere. Technology has the power to change every aspect of our lives and it has made the patient much more accessible to the donor. Through A’awen Giving, we count on our donors and partners to help us pave the way for a healthier, brighter future for all. There is no greater gift than good health and A’awen gives hope, so patients are able to lead happy, healthy lives.”

Helping Patients

In less than a year since the platform was launched, the Foundation has run 20 fundraising campaigns and raised over AED1 million to help adults and children with life-threatening medical issues such as Santhoshi who was born with a hole in her heart and needed corrective surgery; 13-year-old Abdulrahman, who no longer relies on painkillers to get through the day after his life-transforming surgery; and Grace, a young mother suffering from cancer, who is responding well to treatment and hopeful of a full recovery.

Dr Abdulkareem added: “We help patients focus on their recovery without worrying about the medical costs, alleviating their financial burden so that they can focus on their treatment and recovery. When we help a patient, there is a ripple effect – a father who will see his children grow up, a child who will pursue their dreams, a grandparent who has more time with their grandchildren. Nothing gives us more joy than to see families flourish in the face of adversity. It is a great privilege to be a small part of their life journey.”

Al Jalila Foundation works with healthcare partners on treatment plans that cater to patients’ needs and A’awen Giving gives the community the opportunity to be a part of their healing journey.

For more information on A’awen Giving, visit: www.giving.aljalilafoundation.ae