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All posts by Abdullah Zafar
Our ‘Circle of Hope’ Transforms Lives
January 2020
As the curtain raises on a new decade, my team and I would like take this opportunity to extend our heartfelt gratitude to our incredible partners, donors and the community for supporting Al Jalila Foundation in 2019. We are immensely grateful to everyone who has supported our mission to transform lives through donating, fundraising or helping us spread the word about the work we do and the support we need to continue to make an impact. Your contribution makes all the difference, and together, we can do so much more to impact lives…
Research – Obesity
Uncovering the sleep and weight loss connection
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), more than 4.8 million people in the UAE suffer from obesity. These numbers underscore the need for long-term funding into scientific research to develop discoveries in the field of obesity.
Al Jalila Foundation research grant recipient, Dr Teresa Arora from Zayed University, is conducting a pilot study to assess the feasibility of sleep improvement intervention for weight loss, and its maintenance in sleep impaired obese adults.
There is a well established association between sleep and obesity. However, the approach that has not yet been explored is the possibility and effectiveness of treating sleep impaired obese patients with sleep improvement to enhance weight loss and its maintenance.
The study takes obese, sleep impaired adults into two groups to receive lifestyle intervention to improve dietary and exercise habits using evidence-based psychological approaches. One group will additionally undertake a six-week training program to improve sleep targeting sleep duration, quality and timing. Should the twelve-week lifestyle intervention be feasible, secondary outcomes including weight loss and its sustainability will be assessed over six months along with other outcomes, such as mood, sleep, food intake and quality of life
Guidance leads to empowerment
Mohammed Alraidi and his wife have long been the greatest supporters of their son who was born with Down syndrome. Always on the lookout for ways to improve their son’s reality and life experiences, they came across Ta’alouf, Al Jalila Foundation’s flagship program that equips parents with the best possible tools to nurture children of determination.
Enrolling in Ta’alouf Parents Training, they eagerly absorbed the knowledge delivered in the course and began implementing it in the family’s daily life. Upon completing the program, Mohammed Alraidi received the certificate with great joy and appreciation for the invaluable knowledge.
“We are so grateful to Al Jalila Foundation and Zayed Higher Organisation for People of Determination for delivering this special educational program taught by passionate instructors to empower children of determination. We have learned so much and leave prepared with better skills to interact with, educate and empower our son. Our son shines in his own way and we hope to inspire other parents with special children to nurture these strengths.”
The Alraidi family moves forward as a positive example encouraging their son’s integration into all areas of society, championing him to participate in hobbies that spark his interest and guiding him to be confident, independent and empowered.
Knocking on the door of hope
It was the beginning of summer 2019 when 6-year-old Vinit Vasandani was devastatingly diagnosed with acute blood cancer (leukemia). The specialists at Dubai Hospital began treatment immediately. However, the family’s medical insurance had reached its annual limit by August. More funds were needed to complete Vinit’s medical plan and his father, Anil, was steadfast in his commitment to provide the best possible treatment for his son.
Undeterred by circumstance, Anil reached out to various channels for support and when the case arrived at Al Jalila Foundation’s door he found the much needed assistance to facilitate the continued treatment.
“As a parent your greatest wish is that your children are healthy and happy. We were heartbroken to learn of our son’s illness, but knowing that Vinit is supported with the greatest care is the ultimate gift for our family.”
Today, Vinit’s treatment continues with positive progress bringing him a step closer every day to a full recovery.
In addition to offering treatment to young patients, Al Jalila Foundation focuses on medical research as it is only through research that illnesses like leukemia are able to be treated successfully today.
Give to Research, Give to Humanity
December 2019
Happy 48th UAE National Day! Celebrating the birth of our nation fills us all with pride and sincere gratitude for the vision of our Founding Father, Sheikh Zayed, one of the world’s greatest humanitarians who extended his generosity and support to improve the lives of people. At Al Jalila Foundation, we are most proud that the spirit of giving is embedded in our culture making the Emirates a global leader in philanthropy and a beacon of hope. 7 years ago, our Founder His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai…
Marriott’s Road to Awareness
Exploring the mysteries of disease
Dr Bashair Mussa from University of Sharjah (College of Medicine) is a cutting-edge researcher leading a study, with the support of Al Jalila Foundation seed grant, investigating the role of FOS and BECLIN1-inducing autophagy in pathogenesis of hypoglycemia-associated autonomic failure (HAAF) in diabetes.
HAAF is a serious complication of diabetes which is associated with unawareness of hypoglycemia (low levels of blood glucose) in patients with diabetes. The main cause of this condition is the absence of physiological homeostatic counter-regulatory mechanisms that are controlled by the hypothalamus (a critical region within the brain).
FOS is a sensitive marker of neuronal activity in the hypothalamus which possesses significant responses to hypoglycemia. Expression of autophagic adaptor proteins such as BECLIN 1, is associated with cognitive dysfunction in diabetes. It has been suggested that FOS mediates the regulatory effect of BECLIN1 on autophagic processes in the brain.
This project aims to identify the role of FOS and BECLIN 1 in the pathogenesis of HAAF and to profile the involvement of autophagic markers in HAAF.
Identification of novel biomarkers for early detection of HAAF will help patients with diabetes to prevent hypoglycemic episodes, to improve their quality of life and to preserve their cognitive functions.
Walking into a new beginning
Callum was born with an abnormality of his left leg that requires an ortho-prosthesis to enable him to walk and move around independently which must be consistently refitted as he grows.
Callum’s parents have always endeavoured to do everything they can to make sure their son is completely mobile enjoying an active life like other young children.
By the age of 6, Callum had already been fitted with multiple prostheses, however, the expense began to weigh heavily on the family. Not knowing how they were going to be able to provide their son’s next artificial limb, Callum’s parents reached out to Al Jalila Foundation and to their delight, their son was able to receive the much-needed support for his growing body.
“We are forever grateful to Al Jalila Foundation for giving Callum the greatest gift and most importantly for assuring my family that we are not alone in this journey with our son. Thank you very much for making a difference to our lives!”
It is with gratitude to the support from our generous donors that Callum is able to enjoy his days running around the playground with his friends at school.
Click here to see more children whose lives have been transformed.