All posts by Carla Duarte

Stories of Hope

Celebrating the Class of Khalifa

Saad Syed has become the first doctor in his family and in his words “a dream come true” which he credits to his Al Jalila Foundation scholarship. Alea Mohammed says that she could not “have reached this milestone without the support of Al Jalila Foundation”. Aya Akhras pursued her academic journey with great pride and looks forward to “serving the UAE and giving back”.

Saad, Alea and Aya from the MBRU Class of Khalifa 2022 recently graduated from the Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) program at Mohammed Bin Rashid University of Medicine and Health Sciences (MBRU) with Al Jalila Foundation scholarships. We are proud to celebrate 11 new medical doctors set to embark on the next chapter of their careers in medicine.

The graduates are made up of exceptionally talented men and women from 7 different countries who consider the UAE their home. By empowering the next generation of medical professionals Al Jalila Foundation is supporting the UAE healthcare agenda and enabling these bright students to realise their dreams of becoming doctors and saving lives.

At Al Jalila Foundation we know that a medical profession is one of the most noble and anyone pursuing this goal will undoubtedly be of great service throughout their life.

The commencement of MBRU Class of 2022 marks a total of 56 Al Jalila Foundation scholarship graduates in nursing, dentistry, public health, pharmacy, molecular biology and biotechnology, among others at local institutions and three international scholarships at Harvard Medical School and Boston University. Since the scholarship program launch in 2013 Al Jalila Foundation has invested almost AED 20 million to nurture the next generation of doctors.

Press Release

Moafaq Ahmed Al Gaddah pledges AED10 million to Al Jalila Foundation for the Hamdan Bin Rashid Cancer Charity Hospital

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.”

 

Stories of Hope

Baby Santhoshi is blossoming

Baby girl Santhoshi was born with a congenital heart problem ‘patent ductus arteriosus’, which is a hole in her heart. By the time she was two months old she was having great difficulty breathing and unable to gain weight, and the doctors confirmed that she needed urgent open-heart surgery to repair the cardiac malformation.

Santhoshi’s parents, who had been married for 13 years, were overjoyed at the birth of their first child and the news that their baby girl had very serious health complications was a devastating blow.

On top of the difficult diagnosis, Santhoshi’s father had been on a reduced salary due to the global pandemic and the family did not have the financial means to cover the costs of the life-saving surgery.

With the support of Al Jalila Foundation A’awen program, and the community that rallied together to raise the necessary funds on the A’awen Giving website, Santhoshi was able to undergo the open-heart surgery.

The operation was very successful. Santhoshi is blossoming and looks forward to a bright future with her loving parents.  “We cannot express our appreciation enough and are forever grateful that we were given the chance to be a happy family. Today our baby is healthy and always smiling thanks to the support from Al Jalila Foundation and the community.”

Research Matters, Stories of Hope

Scientist develops diagnostics for diabetic retinopathy

In the UAE, there are nearly 756,000 people diagnosed with diabetes and reports suggest that about 300,000 are undiagnosed. Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is a major complication of diabetes and can lead to vision loss if untreated. Innovative and comprehensive approaches are urgently needed to reduce the risk of vision loss by prompt diagnosis and early treatment of DR.

To address this issue, Al Jalila Foundation invested in a research study lead by Dr Mohammed Ghazal from Abu Dhabi University to develop a computer-aided diagnostic system for early assessment of retinopathy in diabetic patients.

Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) and Optical Coherence Tomography Angiography (OCTA) are noninvasive imaging techniques that are widely used to diagnose and manage a variety of retinal diseases. The novel computer-aided diagnosis system for the early diagnosis and optimal management of diabetic retinal diseases uses OCT and OCTA scans.

This technology will revolutionise how scans are currently used and allow unbiased, standardised diagnosis of DR based on automated interpretation of OCT and OCTA scans. This will expand the use of these technologies from retina specialists to other community-based physicians to save all patients’ sight, regardless of their ability to see a specialist.

An unbiased automated system would significantly tailor the individual patient’s retinal disease treatment regimen to improve outcomes and minimise treatment costs. With this approach, ophthalmologists may accurately and objectively detect diabetic retinopathy promptly and possibly monitor its progression without needing the traditional subjective physical assessment that may lack sensitivity or precision.

Newsletters

Sheikh Mohammed: Humanity is our compass

August 2022

Our lives are enriched by the good we do in the world and my team and I consider it a great privilege to be in a position to help those in need. Since 2013, Al Jalila Foundation with the generous support of our partners and donors has invested millions to deliver innovative healthcare programs to empower researchers and the medical community to focus on pioneering medical breakthroughs and treatments to improve patients’ lives. From funding research across a number of focus areas to sponsoring aspiring medical students or providing financial assistance for quality care to patients in need – the patient is at the heart of everything we do, every day.

Press Release

Al Jalila Foundation celebrates the graduation of the eighth cohort of the Ta’alouf Teachers Training programme

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.

Stories of Hope

Grace has found new hope

A Filipina mother in the UAE who has lung cancer can now complete her treatment after an initiative covered her remaining medical expenses.

The remaining funds for Grace were secured through a recent agreement between Mahzooz, a weekly draw in the UAE, and Dubai-based Al Jalila Foundation. After learning about Grace’s situation, Mahzooz made the decision to donate the remaining funds, whose amount was not revealed, in addition to Al Jalila Foundation’s planned fundraiser for Grace’s treatment.

Grace needed immediate medical attention to treat the incapacitating symptoms of cancer. An accountant by profession, Grace has been living the UAE since 2007 and had been leading a healthy, busy life, being engaged in active sports up until May 2021, when she started suffering shortness of breath and severe coughing, which is when her cancer diagnosis was confirmed.

Having the Al Jalila Foundation coordinate and organise Grace’s crowdfunding campaign, as well as Mahzooz’s contribution, has enabled Grace to receive the immunotherapy treatment she needs to cure her cancer.

Farid Samji, CEO of Ewings, managing operator of Mahzooz, said: “When we heard about Grace’s case, we knew we had to do something; she’s a young mother and her medical condition would also affect the life of her daughter. While it is a serious disease, we are happy that we can provide for her treatment and hopefully she will make a full recovery.”

Dr Abdulkareem Sultan Al Olama, CEO of Al Jalila Foundation, said: “With the increasing number of cancer cases reported every year around the world, Al Jalila Foundation helps patients unable to afford quality treatment. With the support of our partners and donors like Ewings, every year we can fund life-saving treatment for hundreds of patients in the UAE battling the disease.”

He added: “It is thanks to this community spirit and care that patients like Grace are given a second chance. Studies show that emotional support is integral to the healing journey therefore, in addition to financial medical aid, Al Jalila Foundation also provides emotional support to women with cancer through our Majlis Al Amal community. Grace’s story of hope is testimony that we can all do our part to make a difference in the lives of cancer patients.”

Mahzooz has been Al Jalila Foundation’s CSR partner for several similar cases and together they have sponsored the treatment of patients suffering from serious diseases who were unable to afford treatment.

Note: Grace’s story was published by Gulf News on 26 July 2022.

Stories of Hope

Ta’alouf Teachers inspire children of determination

Al Jalila Foundation celebrated 70 new graduates from the 8th cohort of Ta’alouf Teachers Training program which was delivered in English and Arabic to teachers from all seven Emirates with over 12 nationalities participating in the program.

The one-year teachers training program aims to equip teachers with the knowledge to empower children of determination in their classrooms enabling them to reach their full potential and realise their dreams. This cohort alone has directly impacted 231 students of determination, and indirectly over 11,700 students in the UAE.

The comprehensive training program includes monthly training sessions; participation in professional learning communities; individual mentoring sessions; and participants are required to submit a portfolio prior to graduation.

Dr Abdulkareem Al Olama, CEO of Al Jalila Foundation expressed, “At the heart of Ta’alouf is social inclusion and we are committed to delivering the most effective educational program to improve the lives of children with special needs. We are proud to have had the opportunity to empower teachers on a nation-wide scale and provide them with life-changing skills to ensure a continuum of care between the child’s home and school.”

Al Jalila Foundation, in partnership with Zayed University, has delivered 8 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.

Stories of Hope

Hajra’s heart is whole again

Hajra was born with a life-threatening heart defect and needed urgent open-heart surgery to mend her heart and give her a chance at a brighter future.

Hajra is the only child to her parents who have called the UAE home for 9 years. Unfortunately, they were distressed and overwhelmed as they were unable to support the cost of this life-saving operation for their daughter. However, thanks to Al Jalila Foundation A’awen program, and the community that rallied together to raise the necessary funds on the A’awen Giving website, Hajra was able to undergo the open-heart surgery successfully.

The doctors are very happy with Hajra’s improvements as she was doing very well despite her complex heart surgery. Her heart is in good condition and she is even expected to make a full recovery and be off cardiac medication in a few months.

Her parents cannot express enough gratitude for the support they received, “We want to offer our sincere appreciation to Al Jalila Foundation and all of the donors who helped us to get the critical surgery for our precious daughter. This was her real chance of a healthy future and through A’awen Giving you made it happen so that Hajra can grow up happy and strong by our side.”

Stories of Hope

Majid Al Futtaim gives hope to patients in the UAE

Majid Al Futtaim, the leading shopping mall, communities, retail and leisure pioneer across the Middle East, Africa and Asia, is a long-term partner of Al Jalila Foundation and shares a common goal to provide quality treatment to patients in need. The retail giant has launched  several initiatives and campaigns to support Al Jalila Foundation healthcare programs.

Majid Al Futtaim is very active every year during #PINKtober and promotes special offers and activities to raise awareness and funds for breast cancer treatment and research.

This Ramadan the team ran a campaign through the SHARE rewards program by working together with their brands to help children in the UAE access healthcare and bring comfort to those who need it the most.

Over the years Majid Al Futtaim has also participated in a number of Holiday campaigns and brought on brands Lululemon, AllSaints and THAT Concept Store to dedicate a portion of their proceeds raising AED 220,000 for Al Jalila Foundation causes.

In addition to fundraising campaigns Majid Al Futtaim brand, Crate and Barrel, supported the interior fit out of our newly opened Majlis Al Amal cancer drop-in centre.

Our partnerships are integral to realising our mission and we are grateful for donors like Majid Al Futtaim that continue to support the work we do to transform lives in the UAE.