Hadeyat Al Ata’a
Shaping the Future of Medical Research, Together
Team Al Jalila started the new year with a spring in our step as we prepared for the annual edition of the Standard Chartered Dubai Marathon. We were overwhelmed with the unprecedented number of individuals across the UAE dedicating their run to Al Jalila Foundation to help us transform lives.
I was delighted to participate in the Dubai Health Forum and the opportunity to continue the discussion around mental health and the importance of research in the UAE, taking a step further to reduce stigma and end discrimination against people with mental illness.
28 February 2018 marks Rare Disease Day which aims to raise awareness for rare diseases and improve access to treatment and medical representation for individuals with rare diseases. Earlier this month my team and I had the honour of meeting Lynn who suffers from Erythromelalgia. It was inspiring to see such a young girl confront her condition with grace, hope and an unwavering commitment to finding a cure for the debilitating disease. It also reminded us just how important medical research is in the race for curing disease.
We invite you to take the #RedHandChallenge in the name of research and to support Lynn’s mission to find a cure.
Dr Abdulkareem Sultan Al Olama
Chief Executive Officer
Member of the Board of Directors
Al Jalila Foundation presents World Doctors Orchestra
Under the Patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, Al Jalila Foundation presents World Doctors Orchestra debut charity concert on 22 March 2018 at Dubai Opera.
For the first time in the region, and for one night only, talented physicians from around the world will exchange their stethoscopes for musical instruments to raise funds for medical research. Classical music enthusiasts can look forward to an enchanting musical evening featuring the world premiere of ‘Positive Spirit’ inspired by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid’s poem and masterpieces by Beethoven and Mendelssohn.
Tickets on sale at www.dubaiopera.com.
Transforming Lives
Young Euale gets his sparkle back.
Amongst all cancer cases in the UAE approximately 9.5% are paediatric cancer with leukemia accounting for almost 1 out of 3 cancers in children and teens.
In February 2017 when happy and energetic 2 year old Euale suddenly lost his appetite and developed a persistent high fever his parents were devastated to discover he had acute myeloid leukaemia. With immediate treatment needed the diagnosis would be very draining emotionally, physically and financially on the family. Al Jalila Foundation supported the treatment of young Euale at Dubai Hospital so his family could put all their energy into Euale’s healing.
Eaule’s parents said: “Our lives have been forever changed and we are so grateful that our beautiful boy has regained his health and is full of energy again. Al Jalila Foundation is a wonderful humanitarian organisation and showed great compassion and care for our son.”
With the generosity and support of donors, Al Jalila Foundation, through its Farah program, has provided quality treatment to more than 92 children suffering from heart disease, cancer and chronic illnesses.
Shaping the Future
Scholarship recipient aims to give back.
When Aafia Gheewale discovered she was accepted into the Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) program at Mohammed Bin Rashid University of Medicine and Health Sciences with a scholarship from Al Jalila Foundation she was determined to live up to the investment.
Embracing this honour, Aafia committed to work hard and give back to the community as much as she can. The aspiring doctor is on the student council, has excellent academic performance and participates regularly in community events and charity drives. She also held a Summer Studentship at Mediclinic City Hospital.
Aafia expressed her gratitude: “It is an incredible honour to receive this scholarship first and foremost, and in this spirit, I am proud to contribute my skills to make a difference in the world. Perhaps the best way I can give back is my presence out there in the world as a doctor.”
Since inception, Al Jalila Foundation has awarded 59 scholarships to medical students in its mission to bolster the medical workforce in the UAE.
Inspiring Innovation
Research on track to transform cancer screening.
Dr Anas Al Azzam from Khalifa University is a gifted researcher who has received the prestigious Al Jalila Foundation research grant in the field of cancer. He has designed a microfluidic device for the separation of cancer cells based on dielectrophoresis which was published in the Journal of Separation Science.
The proposed micro device, which is currently in testing phases, can be used to detect and separate malignant cells from heterogeneous mixture of cells for the purpose of early screening for cancer. The development of this device is very promising and could revolutionise cancer screening and the potential to transform the way cancer is treated.
With a clear mission to inspire medical advancements that will benefit future generations and support our vision to be at the forefront of global medical innovation, Al Jalila Foundation has so far invested AED 20 million for 76 research projects in the UAE, including seven international research training fellowships.
Click here for our portfolio of research grants.
Ambassadors of Hope
Charity spirit alive at Dubai Marathon.
Sports events have the power to bring communities together to raise awareness and funds for charitable causes. This year we were delighted that hundreds of individuals, running clubs and corporates dedicated their Dubai Marathon to support Al Jalila Foundation and our healthcare programs.
Over 200 runners represented Team Al Jalila in the 4km, 10km and 42km choosing healthcare causes close to their hearts inspiring them to push past the finish line.
We aspire to stand shoulders with the leading marathons of the world where charity plays a huge role in drawing thousands of runners raising millions for charity every year.
Thank you to all our amazing runners for flying the Al Jalila Foundation flag and helping us to transform lives. Your every step has helped move us one step closer to realising our vision to be at the forefront of medical innovation.
Click here to watch the ‘Running for a Reason‘ video.
Meet the Girl on Fire Warrior Princess
10-year old Dubai resident Lynn Ghaziri is bringing attention to rare Erythromelalgia in the UAE through the #RedHandChallenge. Thank you to Dareen Barbar and Ahmed Ali for nominating Al Jalila Foundation, we had the privilege of meeting Lynn and her family and participating in the #RedHandChallenge.
Erythromelalgia affects the feet and, less commonly, the hands (extremities) with an intense burning pain and severe redness (erythema) that may be episodic or almost continuous in nature. It is a debilitating illness which affects a small fraction of the world’s population and has no cure or successful treatment. It is believed that Lynn is the only diagnosed case in the region.
Lynn’s parents started the #RedHandChallenge on social media to raise awareness about Lynn’s condition and the need for research to help find a cure for Erythromelalgia. The campaign has been very well received and within a short time has extended across the region and reached as far as Colorado, USA. Family, friends and colleagues, near and far, are sharing a ‘red hand’ to support Lynn.
Click here to read more about Lynn and follow @thefirefightermom on Instagram for updates on the #GirlOnFire Warrior Princess.
The Little Wings Foundation
The Little Wings Foundation was founded in 2007 Dr Marc Sinclair, one of the region’s prominent by paediatric orthopaedic surgeons, with the mission to provide medical assistance to children who have musculoskeletal deformities in the Middle East and North Africa. The Little Wings Foundation is run by volunteers devoting their expertise and time to give back children the freedom they ‘lost’ because of physical, economic and perceived social barriers.
In January 2018, The Little Wings Foundation partnered with Al Jalila Foundation to facilitate treatment for children with congenital or acquired limb deformities and help these children in their daily struggle and give them the tools they need to succeed in life. The partnership facilitates the required treatment offering children equal opportunities allowing them to dream for a better future with a real chance of making these dreams come true. www.thelittlewingsfoundation.org
Community Flashes
Al Jalila Foundation relies solely on the support of donors and the community and we pride ourselves on our 100% promise. 100% of donations are invested where it matters, to transform lives. Click here to support our healthcare programs. We promise to make your donation count!
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