When HedaietAllah Ghanem discovered she was selected to be one of the first to receive a full 6-year scholarship from Al Jalila Foundation to attend Mohammed Bin Rashid University of Medicine and Health Sciences (MBRU) she was speechless. Throughout high school she had explored many professions but nothing inspired her like medicine. The determination to pursue her dream had paid off and she was on her way to becoming a doctor.

Now completing year four of a Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery, HedaietAllah has taken keen interest in cardiology and pediatrics and intends to continue her studies upon graduation in 2022. In addition to regular studies, HedaietAllah is part of MBRU’s Summer Scholars Program where she volunteers and is able to develop knowledge through observerships and research.

“I am filled with gratitude for the opportunity to attend medical school and attribute much of my personal and professional growth to the support of Al Jalila Foundation and MBRU. My ultimate goal is to take all that I achieve and give it back to my birthplace and home, Dubai.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, HedaietAllah remains steadfast in her goals and is proud to be co-leading the Child Health and Safety Team as part of the #Students_Against_COVID global movement to raise awareness in the community.

Stefano Iorini is no ordinary businessman but rather an entrepreneur passionate about philanthropy. With decades of commercial experience behind him, in 2015, Stefano launched MonViso Italian Mineral Water with a mission to develop a product that would give back every day.

With a good cause at the heart of the brand Stefano established the ‘Take Water. Give Life’ initiative which donates AED 1 per 1 litre sold, through designated partners, to Al Jalila Foundation to invest in medical education, treatment and research.

“The ‘Take Water. Give Life’ initiative is at the heart of our business, as we strongly believe it is important to do good in our community, and we are grateful for every individual who chooses MonViso.”

MonViso water has low sodium levels making it a favourite amongst fitness experts in the UAE who promote the brand and its humanitarian initiative. MonViso is also a regular sponsor at the leading sporting events across the country and was the preferred water partner for the 2019 edition of the Dubai Fitness Challenge.

Next insight for MonViso is an eco-conscious initiative to recycle used bottles into ‘Take Water, Give Life’ merchandise in collaboration with DGrade who transforms them into t-shirts, caps, string bags, and other products with all net proceeds dedicated to Al Jalila Foundation.

In keeping its CSR promise, MonViso has donated almost 800,000 litres through monthly charitable contributions to support patient treatment and pioneering medical research. Visit the MonViso eShop here to place your order and make every litre count.

A month after her birth it was apparent that baby Sarah had severe developmental delays and the doctors discovered that she was suffering with nephrotic syndrome, a rare kidney disease.

Sarah’s parents were heartbroken when their daughter had to be admitted to hospital and it could take some time for her condition to improve.

The doctors advised that Sarah required a long-term treatment plan including regular assessments at the nephrology clinic. To add to the family’s turmoil, the lengthy stays at the hospital were not covered under their insurance plan and they desperately needed a helping hand. Al Jalila Foundation in partnership with the Federal Authority for Government Human Resources (FAHR) launched an SMS campaign to raise funds to sponsor Sarah’s treatment.

“I’m unable to express my gratitude to Al Jalila Foundation for helping my family emotionally and financially. We had feared we could not support our daughter through her illness and the Foundation treated her as their own. I will never forget this kindness and I hope one day to help other people in the same situation.”

Today Sarah, almost one year old, is responding very well to treatment and her parents are delighted their daughter is home safely with them.

Since inception, Al Jalila Foundation has encouraged thousands of motivated individuals and teams to raise funds by taking part in sports challenges. These endurance runs, triathlons, marathons and more have been instrumental to raising awareness and providing hope to patients suffering from chronic illnesses.

Due to the COVID-19 global pandemic, sporting events around the country were cancelled which meant that local athletes had to look for new creative ways to carry on supporting their favourite charitable causes.

Run 4 A Purpose (R4AP) is a Dubai based running club founded by Essam Adam as a way to give back to the local community. Determined to continue to use their passion for running to help save lives, R4AP celebrated their fourth anniversary by donating AED 1 per kilometre run throughout the month of June to Al Jalila Foundation to support children’s treatment. More than 50 members from the running club participated in the RUNniversary charity challenge and raised more than AED 13,000.

R4AP aims to inspire others to make a difference to young patients’ lives in the UAE. You can join them for a run or donate on the R4AP Hopasports page here.

Salim was born with a ventricular septal deformity, a hole in his heart, which caused developmental delays, fatigue when feeding, coughing and shortness of breath. Although, his parents faithfully followed his condition with the doctors in the hope that there would be an improvement, by the time he reached 5-months-old his symptoms began to deteriorate. He suffered from shortness of breath and due to severe lack of oxygen his skin had begun to turn blue. It was clear that Salim needed to undergo open heart surgery immediately.

The biggest challenge facing the family were the medical expenses but a friend directed them to Al Jalila Foundation where they found relief in their time of need.

“The support of the foundation and the hospital was not limited to performing surgery and medical care. They offered kindness and reassurance during the entire period of Salim’s intensive care until he left the hospital. It is with enormous gratitude to Al Jalila Foundation and the medical team that my child is in very good health and continues to improve day by day.”

Since 2013, with the dedicated support of donors, Al Jalila Foundation has been able to provide quality treatment to 844 patients like young Salim who were suffering from life threatening illnesses.

When 9-month-old Hanah contracted life threatening meningitis it left her with irreversible hearing loss. Hope was close by when her parents learned that the cutting edge cochlear implant would restore her hearing. However, at a large cost the transforming solution was out of their reach. Al Jalila Foundation stepped in to fund the procedure and young Hanah, now 7-years-old, is a confident, adventurous, bright young child who excels at school and loves music. The overjoyed parents expressed: “Thank you for changing our child’s life forever. We are eternally grateful to Al Jalila Foundation for giving Hanah the greatest gift of all – the gift of hearing.”

According to the World Health Organization, 32 million children globally are affected by hearing impairment and in the Middle East, hearing loss is one of the region’s top five health problems, estimated to affect 1 in 25 people. Cochlear implants are highly effective in young children as the early stages of brain development maximises the child’s ability to develop speech, language and listening skills, ultimately transforming their life.

Hanah is one of 37 brave little warriors, sponsored by Al Jalila Foundation, who underwent a cochlear implant to restore her hearing. This innovative technology was only made possible by advancements in research and today, we are able to witness the transformative power this medical marvel has had on young lives like Hanah.

12-year-old Muayad Al Arjani was born with Osteogenesis Imperfecta, better known as ‘brittle bones disease’, and was unable to stand or walk without breaking bones in his legs. He was confined to a wheelchair throughout his childhood, unable to play with his friends or lead a normal life.

Due to the lack of corrective treatment in Palestine life was a struggle for Muayad who was flown to Dubai for treatment with the help of The Little Wings Foundation in partnership with Al Jalila Foundation.

Muayad underwent a complex surgery to insert telescopic steel rods into his legs and repair the repeated fractures which will allow him more independence and, hopefully one day, free him from his wheelchair.

Life was hard for Muayad’s mother Mona Al Tarabeen, raising five daughters and two brothers in war-torn Gaza so when Dr Sinclair, orthopaedic surgeon and founder of The Little Wings Foundation, confirmed they were bringing him to the UAE for treatment, the family were overjoyed.

“It was very difficult to find help in our country. I am so grateful for this life-changing gift and filled with hope that Muayad can walk like other children and be happy.”

The Little Wings Foundation provides medical assistance to children who have musculoskeletal deformities in the Middle East. The foundation is run by volunteers, and since 2018 it has been working with Al Jalila Foundation to help facilitate life-transforming treatment to vulnerable children in the region.

Read more here.

Roderick had always been an active healthy man when he uncharacteristically began to develop a persistent fever, sore throat and nausea that he wasn’t recovering from.

Once he checked in to Dubai Hospital in July 2019 results revealed that he was suffering from acute myeloid leukemia and was in need of life-saving treatment. The doctors began chemotherapy immediately but Roderick discovered his healthcare plan was unable to carry the cost for his entire treatment. Roderick reached out and found support he needed from Al Jalila Foundation to complete the full course of vital medical care.

After 7 months Roderick was discharged from the hospital and while his treatment continues the doctors are very happy as he shows steady progress.

“I am already gaining weight, my hair is growing back and I feel my strength returning. I know that I will win this battle as there are a lot of people supporting my journey including Al Jalila Foundation. Thank you for your kindness.”

Through A’awen, Al Jalila Foundation provides treatment support to patients in need and has to date has given hope and healing to more than 844 adults and children in the UAE suffering from chronic illness.

Kareema, an Emirati mother, recently joined 100 parents of children with intellectual disabilities to graduate from the 19th cohort of Ta’alouf Parents Training Program, the biggest cohort to date held in Dubai. Her 18-year-old daughter, Huda, was born with physical and mental disabilities which has been a driving force behind Kareema’s commitment and passion to support people of determination.

Kareema has tirelessly supported her daughter to finish high school and encouraged her to develop her artistic drawing talents. Huda has participated in several competitions and showcased her artwork in a number of galleries and even has her own Instagram account @artist_huda_karam. Kareema includes her daughter in meetings and social gatherings which helps to lift the stigma in the community encouraging the inclusion of all people in society.

Inspired by her experience with the Ta’alouf Parents Training and as an active member in the RAK Club for People of Determination, Kareema was instrumental in assisting Al Jalila Foundation to register other parents for the cohort held in Ras Al Khaimah.

Kareema is one of 886 families across the Emirates to have graduated from the Ta’alouf program to empower children of determination to live to their full potential.