All posts by Abdullah Zafar

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…

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.

Emirati doctor inspires students

As a promising Emirati student, Dr Mohamed Jamal dreamt of becoming a dentist and leading ground-breaking research to improve lives.

His journey began at Ajman University where he gained a Doctorate of Dental Surgery in 2005; he then continued to Boston University Institute for Dental Research and Education in Dubai where he obtained a CAGS and MSD in Endodontics in 2011 and received recognition for his outstanding work to isolate dental pulp stem cells for the first time in UAE.

A prestigious scholarship from Al Jalila Foundation allowed Dr Mohamed to obtain his PhD in 2017 from Boston University (BU) in USA. During the scholarship his work gained ‘Best Research Award’ from BU and the American Association of Endodontics (AAE). He also received the ‘Young Emirati Researchers Prize’ from the UAE Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research.

“Al Jalila Foundation scholarship opened the door for me to explore science beyond what I imagined. It was a lifetime opportunity and I am thankful for it.”

An Assistant Professor of Endodontics at MBRU and member of the Scientific Advisory Board of the Journal of Endodontics, Dr Mohamed Jamal hopes to contribute to the vision of moving towards a knowledge-based economy and developing top notch research themes in the Emirates.

Early detection saves lives

It had been less than a year since Dubai resident, Sirine Fadoul, had done her annual wellness check which included a breast ultrasound when she detected a very small lump.

As a young, healthy and fit woman with no history of the disease in her family, nothing suggested cancer but she took action and went to get checked quickly. To her shock, the doctor confirmed that she had stage one breast cancer. Although the cancerous tumor was discovered early Sirine still underwent two surgeries including a complete mastectomy, dozens of scans, tests and biopsies and the much-dreaded chemotherapy.

Now 1-year cancer-free, Sirine is unstoppable in her advocacy of the importance of early detection to not only save lives but to make the challenge ‘easier’.

Throughout #PINKtober Brest Friends member, Sirine has been instrumental in supporting Al Jalila Foundation by tirelessly conducting talks at schools, government entities and corporates highlighting the importance of awareness, helping others and investing in local medical research.

Sirine has a great network of friends and knows firsthand that “A strong support system in the way of friends and family and groups such as Brest Friends are invaluable to recovery.”

Watch Sirine’s Story of Hope here.

Research Matters

November 2019

Once again, this October, we found ourselves witnessing the incredible philanthropic spirit that spreads across the nation uniting us in the fight against breast cancer. We are delighted that our 5th #PINKtober Breast Cancer Awareness Campaign drew incredible support from hundreds of partners, thousands of supporters and the greater UAE community coming together in solidarity for a cause that affects millions of women around the world. Together with our #PINKtober Champions of Hope, Al Jalila Foundation celebrates another record-breaking month with over 170 pink-themed events.