Al Jalila Foundation, a member of the Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives, announced today that applications for its 2020/2021 postgraduate medical international scholarships have opened. As part of the country’s response to the global novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak, the Foundation’s scholarship programme will help prepare a cadre of Emirati healthcare professionals to deal with viral diseases in the future.

With COVID-19 cases increasing quickly around the world and the total number of confirmed cases reaching three million, the outbreak has crippled health systems in many countries, primarily due to a shortage of resources, manpower and equipment. Medical capacity is critical to the success of a nation’s healthcare sector and the UAE has been exemplary in managing the health crisis rapidly.

To help proactively respond to both the local and global COVID-19 pandemic and to bolster the UAE’s capacity to address this pandemic and other viral diseases in the future, Al Jalila Foundation invites UAE Nationals to apply for postgraduate scholarships at world class international universities in a number of medical fields: virology, genetics and genomics, nanotechnology, stem cells, immunology and biomedical data science.

Increasing the availability of infectious disease specialists in-country will support the UAE in its mission to develop the best healthcare system in the world; it will also strengthen the country’s medical research capacity to respond to pandemics and quickly save lives.

Her Excellency Dr Raja Easa Al Gurg, Chairperson of the Board of Directors and Member of the Board of Trustees of Al Jalila Foundation, said: “The medical profession represents one of the most noble and greatest services rendered to mankind. Today with the coronavirus pandemic, we are all witnessing the courage of healthcare workers as they risk their lives to save patients’ lives. Health is the cornerstone of a nation’s longevity, economic development and sustainability and at Al Jalila Foundation we aim to build medical capacity to strengthen the health system to support the government’s efforts in safeguarding human health.”

Since the launch of the scholarship programme, Al Jalila Foundation has awarded 56 scholarships 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. Al Jalila Foundation has invested AED 15.5 million to strengthen the UAE’s medical capabilities and continues to monitor the emerging healthcare needs to respond accordingly.

Dr. Abdulkareem Al Olama, CEO of Al Jalila Foundation, commented: “COVID-19 has highlighted a greater need for highly skilled medical professionals in a number of specialisations to address viral diseases and pandemics. If we look at the global frontrunners in healthcare, what sets them apart are their investments in developing their human capital. We are proud to once again extend financial support to aspiring Emirati healthcare professionals enabling them to specialise and further build the expertise to contribute to the wellbeing of the nation. Not only will our scholarships help to develop capabilities, they will build capacity, continuity and sustainability in the UAE’s healthcare sector. Each stream of graduates will contribute to the country’s quality of healthcare – and, by extension, the quality of life.”

The application deadline for Al Jalila Foundation international scholarships is 7 July 2020. Interested applicants can find more information and application guidelines on Al Jalila Foundation’s website www.aljalilafoundation.ae/scholarships.

Al Jalila Foundation, a member of the Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives, dedicated to transforming lives through medical innovation, today announced that the Ahmed Seddiqi Family donated AED 10 million to advance local medical research focused on coronavirus and other viral diseases affecting mankind.

While the world is still coming to terms with the novel coronavirus COVID-19 global outbreak there has never been a greater need for life saving treatment and medical breakthroughs that could end the pandemic and save millions of lives. Since its inception in 2013, Al Jalila Foundation has invested over AED 25 million to advance medical research in the UAE and now aims to extend its research portfolio to address the current COVID-19 global health crisis.

Abdul Hamied Ahmed Seddiqi, Vice Chairman, Seddiqi Holding, said: “The world is going through a very challenging time and we salute the healthcare workers on the frontlines working tirelessly to save lives. We have been working closely with Al Jalila Foundation over the years and we are honoured to support the organisation’s mission to advance medical research in the UAE. It is our national duty to safeguard the health and safety of our people and continue to uphold the values of philanthropy, compassion and service to humanity instilled by our forefathers.”

Dr Abdulkareem Sultan Al Olama, CEO of Al Jalila Foundation, said: “As the UAE looks toward the next 50 years we are inspired by the great strides we are taking in medical innovation and the advancement of science and research. We are extremely grateful for this significant donation from the Ahmed Seddiqi Family who, like us, believe that investing in medical research is critical to the longevity and sustainability of future generations. The world has changed significantly and as we go through this critical phase we are depending on science to save lives. Now more than ever we are counting on scientists and doctors coming together to develop better diagnostic testing, treatments, and gain a better understanding of SARS-CoV-2 biology to combat the disease.”

Since its inception in 2013, Al Jalila Foundation has lead opportunities to increase innovative and impactful medical research investing AED 25 million to award 95 research grants and 8 international research fellowships to discover solutions for the region’s biggest health challenges: cancer, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, obesity and mental health. In line with the vision to position the UAE at the forefront of medical innovation, the Foundation has established the first independent multi-disciplinary biomedical research institute with an investment of AED 200 million solely funded by philanthropic partners.

Her Excellency Dr Raja Easa Al Gurg, Chairperson of the Board of Directors and Member of the Board of Trustees of Al Jalila Foundation, said: “This pandemic has united the world like never before. Now more than ever, scientists around the world continue to search for answers into the causes, prevention and treatment of diseases affecting mankind with the coronavirus taking centre stage. Our investment in medical research reaffirms our commitment to embed research and innovation in the fabric of the nation’s long-term healthcare strategy and to adapt to the changing landscape. Medical research has the potential to save lives and our efforts today will pave the way for a healthier world for future generations.”

As a non-profit organisation Al Jalila Foundation relies on the support of its partners and donations are invested in healthcare programs to transform patients’ lives. In February, Al Jalila Foundation launched ‘Bassmat Rashid Bin Saeed’ to lead the march for pioneering medical research to address the healthcare needs in the UAE. Dedicated to the late Sheikh Rashid Bin Saeed Al Maktoum the campaign honours his philanthropic spirit and aims to continue his legacy to improve humanity. Bassmat, ‘fingerprint’ in Arabic, signifies the power donors have to leave their distinctive mark on the future of medicine through this unique fundraising campaign with the first-of-its-kind donor recognition wall.

As a non-profit organisation Al Jalila Foundation relies on the support of its partners and donations are invested in healthcare programs to transform lives. For more information on how to be a part of Bassmat Rashid Bin Saeed please visit www.aljalilafoundation.ae/bassmat.

Al Jalila Foundation, a member of the Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives, announced today that application for its sixth cycle of seed grants has opened in response to the novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) global outbreak to help develop the UAE capacity to address this pandemic and other viral diseases in the future. In line with its mission to transform lives, the global philanthropic organisation has been supporting talented biomedicine scientists in a number of research areas including cancer, cardiovascular disease and diabetes since its inception in 2013 investing over AED 25 million to advance medical research in the UAE.

Researchers are invited to apply for seed grants of up to AED 500,000 over a 1 to 2 year period to investigate the pathology, diagnostics, epidemiology, transmission, therapeutics, and/or prevention related to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) specific to the UAE population and demographics. The seed grants support basic, translational, or clinical research projects (excludes research that requires clinical trials). The grants are available to UAE Nationals and residents of the UAE provided the research is conducted locally. Applicants should hold positions at local universities, research or clinical institutions in the UAE.

Her Excellency Dr Raja Al Gurg, Member of the Board of Trustees of Al Jalila Foundation and Chairperson of the Board of Directors of Al Jalila Foundation, commented: “Scientists around the world continue to search for answers into the causes, prevention and treatment of diseases affecting mankind. Our investment in medical research reaffirms our commitment to embed research and innovation in the fabric of the nation’s long-term healthcare strategy. Medical research has the potential to save lives and our efforts today will pave the way for a healthier world for future generations.”

Dr Abdulkareem Sultan Al Olama, CEO of Al Jalila Foundation, added: “As we come to terms with COVID-19 global outbreak there has never been a greater need for life saving treatment and medical breakthroughs that could end the pandemic and save millions of lives.  Now more than ever we are counting on scientists and doctors coming together to develop better diagnostic testing, treatments, and gain a better understanding of COVID-19 and other viral diseases. Al Jalila Foundation is dedicated to advancing medical research to transform lives. We are more determined than ever in our mission and count on you, our partners, to help us pave the way for a healthier, brighter future for all.”

The applications are assessed through a stringent independent international peer review process overseen by a Scientific Advisory Committee. The committee is made up of the most brilliant minds in the region who work with the international peer review panel to award research grants to the most deserving scientists.

Professor Yousef Mohamed Abdulrazzaq AlBastaki, Chair of the Scientific Advisory Committee of Al Jalila Foundation, said: “Research plays an important role in improving the quality of the UAE’s medical sector. It is very important in building a knowledge based economy, and transforming the healthcare system to be more research oriented, and hence, improving people’s lives with better diagnostics and treatments. As we launch the sixth cycle of research grants, we look forward to supporting ground-breaking research projects that will lead to life-changing discoveries.”

Since inception in 2013, Al Jalila Foundation has provided opportunities to increase innovative and impactful medical research investing AED 25 million to award 95 research grants and 8 international research fellowships at global leading institutions in the UK, USA and Japan to discover solutions for the region’s biggest health challenges. In line with the vision to position the UAE at the forefront of medical innovation, the Foundation has established the first independent multi-disciplinary biomedical research institute with an investment of AED 200 million solely funded by philanthropic partners.

With this investment the Foundation has brought together 350 scientists from around the world to further boost scientific medical research in the UAE. The grants have created training opportunities for more than 400 young students and post-doctoral associates and contributed to 245 publications in a number of international scientific journals.

By supporting talented scientists, Al Jalila Foundation is building on its mission to transform lives by paving the way and developing the next generation of innovators in health sciences.

The application deadline for the seed grants is 9 June 2020 and successful applicants will be announced by the end of September 2020. For more information and application details please visit Al Jalila Foundation website: www.aljalilafoundation.ae/research

Al Jalila Foundation, a member of the Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives, dedicated to transforming lives through medical innovation, today announced the launch of ‘Bassmat Rashid Bin Saeed’ to advance local medical research in the UAE. Dedicated to the late Sheikh Rashid Bin Saeed Al Maktoum the campaign honours Sheikh Rashid’s philanthropic spirit and aims to continue his legacy to improve humanity. Bassmat, ‘fingerprint’ in Arabic, signifies the power donors have to leave their distinctive mark on the future of medicine through this unique fundraising campaign with the first-of-its-kind donor recognition wall.

Since inception in 2013, Al Jalila Foundation has lead opportunities to increase innovative and impactful medical research investing AED 25 million to award 95 research grants and 8 international research fellowships to discover solutions for the region’s biggest health challenges: cancer, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, obesity and mental health. In line with the vision to position the UAE at the forefront of medical innovation, the Foundation has established the first independent multi-disciplinary biomedical research institute with an investment of AED 200 million solely funded by philanthropic partners.

His Highness Sheikh Ahmed Bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairperson of Al Jalila Foundation Board of Trustees, said “Sheikh Rashid’s visionary leadership and philanthropic spirit brought to reality many of the great advancements that transformed Dubai into the modern city it is today. Bassmat Rashid Bin Saeed pays tribute to the legacy of Sheikh Rashid and creates a path for future pioneers to advance medical breakthroughs that could save millions of lives.”

Al Jalila Foundation recently organised a panel discussion bringing together key industry leaders to share their perspectives on the importance of investing in the UAE’s medical research landscape.

Her Excellency Dr Raja Easa Al Gurg, Chairperson of the Board of Directors and Member of the Board of Trustees of Al Jalila Foundation, said: “As a young Foundation with great ambitions our progress made to date reaffirms our commitment to becoming a leader in medical research. With the right support from philanthropists, corporates, the academic and research fraternity, and the wider community we are on the right track to cultivate an inspiring research eco-system to propel the UAE to the forefront of medical innovation.”

Professor Alawi Alsheikh-Ali, Provost and Dean of the College of Medicine at Mohammed Bin Rashid University of Medicine and Health Sciences, said: “Scientific research is an integrated eco-system with key elements and requirements. In the UAE, several elements are available, such as universities that focus on scientific research, foundations that support research such as Al Jalila Foundation, the UAE Government’s strategic drive towards a knowledge-based economy, the appointment of a Minister of State for Advanced Sciences, and the establishment of the UAE Council of Scientists. These are all government initiatives that will enhance the UAE’s ability to establish a thriving research eco-system.”

Dr Rajen Kilachand a renowned philanthropist commented on the importance of leaving the world a better place and a legacy for generations: “Al Jalila Foundation has been visionary in establishing a research facility undertaking ground breaking research in the UAE. This will, in a few years’ time, undoubtedly become a world class medical complex which has developed from within the country and perhaps the entire MENA region. It is an organisation funded entirely by donors and the results of these philanthropic donations are without a doubt beyond calculation. To have my name associated with an institute in this field in the country I have made my home, gives me great pleasure and happiness.”

As a non-profit organisation Al Jalila Foundation relies on the support of its partners and donations are invested in healthcare programs to transform patients’ lives. For more information on how to be a part of Bassmat Rashid Bin Saeed please visit www.aljalilafoundation.ae/bassmat.

Al Jalila Foundation, a member of the Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives, dedicated to transforming lives through medical innovation, celebrated the graduation of the 20th cohort of Ta’alouf Parents Training program marking 834 graduates since the launch of the program in 2013 reaffirming its commitment to children of determination.

The graduation coincides with the 6th anniversary of Ta’alouf which has been offered in 4 Emirates with over 39 nationalities participating in the program. Since 2013, with the support of partners and donors, Al Jalila Foundation has invested AED 6 million to provide parents with the knowledge and power to broaden the horizons of children of determination enabling them to reach their full potential and realise their dreams.

Dr Abdulkareem Sultan Al Olama, Chief Executive Officer of Al Jalila Foundation, said: “The completion of the 20th cohort in Ras Al Khaimah signifies a key 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, no matter their ability, has the opportunity to shine. It is heartwarming to hear testimonies how ‘life-changing’ the program has been and that it continues to assist parents in bringing out the best in their special children.”

Ta’alouf began with an inaugural class of 55 parents devoted to better understanding their children and now boasts hundreds of graduates. This cohort is the 5th in partnership with Zayed Higher Organization for People of Determination which has expanded Al Jalila Foundation’s reach to more families throughout the Emirates.

His Excellency Abdullah Al-Humaidan, Secretary-General of Zayed Higher Organization for People of Determination, said: “Under the directives and leadership of His Highness Sheikh Khalid Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Chairman of the Zayed Higher Organization for People of Determination, the Ta’alouf program in partnership with Al Jalila Foundation has expanded to Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Northern Emirates with 252 parents and families benefiting. We would like to thank Al Jalila Foundation for giving us the opportunity to implement this inspiring program and transforming lives of parents of children of determination.”

Al Jalila Foundation works with partners to offer the Ta’alouf program which benefits a huge cross-section of the community, including families living with Autism, Down Syndrome and other developmental delays. The 20th cohort in Ras Al Khaimah is sponsored by RAKBANK.

Commenting on the Ta’alouf program, Peter England, CEO of RAKBANK said: “In line with RAKBANK’s values of social inclusion, the Bank is proud to support Ta’alouf, which aims to equip parents of children of determination with life-changing skills to nurture their children. It is a privilege to partner with Al Jalila Foundation to deliver the 20th parents training cohort in Ras Al Khaimah, enhancing knowledge and cultivating skills to achieve their children’s full potential and realize their dreams and aspirations. At RAKBANK, we believe that our long-term success as a national bank lies in growing people’s trust in us by increasing our social responsibility towards our community.”

Following the success of the parents training program and positive impact on families, in 2014 Ta’alouf expanded to include teachers as a central influence in children’s formative years. The Ta’alouf Teachers Training program, in partnership with Zayed University, has graduated 343 teachers from 71 schools in the UAE. Al Jalila Foundation continues to champion children of determination with the 6th Teachers Training cohort commencing on 5 November 2019.

Al Jalila Foundation, a member of the Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives, dedicated to transforming lives through medical innovation, announced today the fifth edition of the nationwide #PINKtober campaign in the lead to Breast Cancer Awareness Month in October.

In the UAE, breast cancer is the most common cancer affecting women constituting 38% of all female cancers which has steadily increased over the last 3 decades. Due to the high prevalence and importance of the disease, Al Jalila Foundation partnered with Brest Friends in 2015 to focus on medical research and improve treatment to combat the disease and ultimately, save lives. To date, Al Jalila Foundation has dedicated over AED 5 million to provide life-saving treatment to 34 patients and fund 9 breast cancer research projects, comprising of 32 leading scientists, investigating the epidemiology of breast cancer.

Breast Cancer Awareness Month is a global movement that has been present in the UAE for over 20 years with the pink ribbon emerging as a symbol of hope. What began as just a few people spreading the message on the existence of the disease, urging women to seek early detection, has turned into a bold campaign championed by people from all cultures, backgrounds and age groups proving that breast cancer is a disease that touches everyone.

2019 marks the 5th edition of #PINKtober led by Al Jalila Foundation in partnership with Brest Friends that has witnessed 419 pink themed community fundraising events to support breast cancer treatment and research.

Dr Abdulkareem Al Olama, Chief Executive Officer of Al Jalila Foundation, said: “Breast cancer remains one of the most serious health challenges and we must support medical research to improve survival rates. Every year during October, we receive overwhelming support from the community to help raise awareness and funds for breast cancer treatment and research in the UAE. #PINKtober events have the power to bring communities together to champion charitable causes and we are proud of our partners’ extraordinary efforts and philanthropic spirit.”

In the past 4 years the month-long community campaign has seen over 400 pink-themed activities and events by government entities, corporates, schools, retailers, hospitality and individual fundraisers. Hundreds of schools in the UAE have taken a lead with young people becoming the messengers of hope in raising awareness on the importance of medical research to save lives by organising bake sales, concerts, art exhibitions, amongst others.

Sports events have proven to be a successful platform uniting the community to champion healthy living. Since inception Al Jalila Foundation has actively promoted sports as a vehicle for fundraising and has been the official charity partner for hundreds of sports events across the UAE including annual flagships events: IGNITE Pink in Punk, ADCB Zayed Sports City Pink Run, Emirates Golf Club Pink Ball Competition and the Fitness First Pink Party.

Dr Houriya Kazim, President and Founder of Brest Friends, said: “Dealing with cancer is one of the hardest challenges that patients and their families could face and Brest Friends in partnership with Al Jalila Foundation aims to be that nurturing support to those coping with the disease. Through spreading the message and giving hope, thousands of women’s lives have been changed as they are able to receive the life-saving treatment they need. Our aim is to keep the campaign message alive beyond October, 365 days a year, echoing the success of the collective efforts for a breast cancer-free world.”

Since the launch of the iconic pink ribbon in 1992, the global campaign attracts support from every sector of society to champion research to end the disease. Major landmarks around the world, including the Burj Khalifa in Dubai, have turned pink in honour of the campaign’s mission to create a breast cancer-free world. The campaign continues to grow with hundreds of pink-themed events held across the UAE to increase awareness of the disease and raise funds for research into its cause, prevention, diagnosis, treatment and cure.

Dr Abdulkareem Sultan Al Olama invites the community to be part of #PINKtober: “Join Al Jalila Foundation this October and make a difference in the lives of patients and families affected by breast cancer.”

Al Jalila Foundation, a global philanthropic healthcare organisation dedicated to transforming lives, announced the successful completion of the annual Ramadan campaign ‘basma’, smile in Arabic, launched in partnership with a number of hospitality, leisure and retail outlets across the UAE. In its third year the month-long charity campaign has proven to be an established feature on the Ramadan calendar with the record number of 130 retail, hospitality and strategic partners engaging their customers and raising AED 1.5 million to provide life-saving treatment and medical care to children in need.

In line with the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, “to create hope, life and happiness for everyone in the UAE”, Al Jalila Foundation believes that health is the cornerstone to happiness and every child deserves the opportunity to grow up healthy, dream and realise their potential.

Al Jalila Foundation works closely with healthcare partners to develop special treatment programs that meet the needs of patients who are unable to afford quality care. Farah is the Foundation’s paediatric treatment program which to date has invested AED 22 million to help sick children in the UAE.

Her Excellency Dr Raja Easa Al Gurg, Chairperson of the Board of Directors and Member of the Board of Trustees of Al Jalila Foundation, said: “There can be no greater gift than to contribute to the well-being of children in our community and empowering the next generation. We are delighted that our basma campaign has once again brought together an unprecedented number of partners who devoted the month of giving to support Al Jalila Foundation in its mission to improve the lives of young patients.”

Al Jalila Foundation praised its basma partners for their creative initiatives and fundraising efforts to support medical treatment for children under the Ramadan campaign’s slogan “your gift, their smile”.

Long term partners Federal Authority for Government Human Resources (FAHR) and Emirates National Bank of Dubai (ENBD) launched unique SMS campaigns to engage their networks through existing donation platforms. Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) also lead an internal SMS campaign encouraging donations from employees.

noon, the home-grown digital marketplace, included a donation option at check-out, tajawal, a digital solution for holiday bookings, donated AED 5 from each transaction and My Quality & Convenience offered 10% of proceeds from online grocery sales.

The leading hospitality brands in the UAE joined the basma campaign including: 21 Marriott hotels; 11 Jumeirah Restaurant Group dining outlets; 7 Millennium Hotels and Resorts properties; Hyatt hotels; Atlantis The Palm; Media Rotana; Taj Dubai and Pullman Dubai JLT dedicated Iftar and Suhour proceeds to support the campaign. Haji Sahab Restaurant doubled their charity efforts by donating proceeds from Iftar packs distributed to thousands at labour camps in Dubai while Nando’s placed donation boxes at 21 outlets across the UAE. For the sweet-toothed 35 Shakespeare and Co. cafés, La Serre, Pastel Cakes and eat well Restaurant donated a portion of patisserie sales throughout the month.

Kiehl’s created a limited edition collection in collaboration with Lebanese illustrator Nouri Flayhan exclusively for Al Jalila Foundation and The Surf Café in partnership with MonViso Water curated a charity exhibition by local artists donating all sales proceeds. Splash ‘n’ Party, a Dubai kids water park, dedicated proceeds from ‘zipline’ tickets.

In addition to the basma campaign, BNI UAE chapter in partnership with Millennium Hotels and Resorts hosted an elegant charity gala ‘My Giftar’. Al Jalila Foundation also received generous donations during Ramadan from a number of organisations including Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank; Commercial Bank of Dubai; amongst others.

To conclude the month of giving and in celebration of Eid, Team Al Jalila visited young patients at Al Jalila Children’s Specialty Hospital and spent time reading stories to the children, playing games and bringing some joy to the little ones. Drawing on the support of basma partners and the campaign’s values of generosity and compassion Al Jalila Foundation touched hearts and spread smiles to sick children most in need.

Al Jalila Foundation, a global philanthropic organization dedicated to transforming lives through medical innovation, today celebrated longstanding partner Brest Friends 14th anniversary acknowledging the impact the home-grown program has contributed to breast cancer awareness in the UAE.

It is estimated that one in eight women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetime and it is the second leading cause of death among women. The high prevalence of the disease reinforces the critical need for medical research and improved treatment to save lives. Al Jalila Foundation and Brest Friends work together to raise awareness, fund treatment and invest in pioneering research.

Brest Friends was established in 2005 as the first breast cancer support group in the UAE, by Dr Houriya Kazim, the UAE’s first female surgeon, with the mission to save lives by increasing awareness of breast cancer and providing a platform where patients and survivors can learn, share experiences and offer moral and emotional support to each other which has proven to be instrumental in a woman’s healing process.

Dr Houriya Kazim, President, and Founder of Brest Friends commented: “We are delighted to achieve this milestone by honouring survivors and reflecting on the impact Brest Friends has made to women in the UAE. Breast cancer awareness has improved dramatically since 2005, thanks to the support of strong advocates and the community who promote and run campaigns highlighting the importance of early detection throughout the year. We would like to mark this anniversary by amplifying a message of hope that the disease can be beaten – there is life after cancer – and through ground-breaking research, we aim to develop tangible results to transform the future health of women.”

Brest Friends partnered with Al Jalila Foundation in 2015 expanding its capabilities to facilitate medical treatment and fund locally-based research into the epidemiology of breast cancer. The partnership has already yielded positive results with more than AED 5 million invested in life-saving treatment to support 34 women and fund 9 breast cancer research studies in the UAE.

Her Excellency Dr Raja Easa Al Gurg, Chairperson of the Board of Directors and Member of the Board of Trustees of Al Jalila Foundation, said: “We are proud to celebrate this milestone with Brest Friends who, over the last 14 years, has established itself as a beacon of hope for breast cancer patients in the UAE. Through our partnership, and with the help of our donors, we have been able to provide quality medical care and support to women with breast cancer. In line with our mission to advance medical research in the region we have funded a number of pioneering projects which are underway and promise to yield positive outcomes that will offer hope and healing to patients in the future.”

The anniversary event was generously sponsored by Grosvenor House Dubai who hosted Afternoon Tea at Rhodes W1 specially prepared by celebrity Chef Gary Rhodes himself who welcomed more than 100 Brest Friends members, patients, and survivors, commemorating the positive impact Brest Friends has had on women in the UAE. During the event, Pam Wilby, Complex General Manager, Le Royal Meridien Beach Resort & Spa and the Grosvenor House Dubai, presented a cheque of AED 540,000 a contribution from the two hotel properties to support Al Jalila Foundation’s breast cancer program.

Pam Wilby commented: “We are honoured to join hands with Al Jalila Foundation and Brest Friends to host their 14th Anniversary event at Rhodes W1 and raise awareness for the breast cancer programme. For five years, Grosvenor House Dubai has been supporting this deeply important cause and raising funds and hope for breast cancer patients. This year will be no different, as it remains our goal to bring the community together to honour breast cancer patients, celebrate life with the survivors and give back.”

In addition to the delightful luxury Afternoon Tea, every guest was entered into a big prize raffle draw to win stays at various Marriott properties and everyone walked away with goody bags provided by Benefit, B/Attitude Spa and Elemis which included specialty cosmetics and spa vouchers.

The celebratory event wraps up another successful season of hope as Brest Friends in partnership with Al Jalila Foundation turns its focus toward October, Breast Cancer Awareness Month, with another edition of #PINKtober. The month-long community campaign unites hundreds of Champions of Hope – education, corporate, retail and government partners – who host pink-themed events across the UAE to raise awareness, fund ground-breaking research and support breast cancer treatment.

Al Jalila Foundation, a global philanthropic organisation dedicated to transforming lives through medical education and research, announced today that it has awarded AED 5.4 million in seed grants to 20 UAE-based medical researchers bringing the total investment to date to AED 25 million for 95 research projects. The seed grants focus on research in the field of cancer, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, obesity and mental health, Al Jalila Foundation’s five research priorities.

The grants were awarded to scientists from medical institutions across the UAE including Mohammed Bin Rashid University of Medicine and Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, University of Sharjah, Khalifa University, Gulf Medical University Ajman, Abu Dhabi University, Erada Center for Treatment and Rehabilitation and Zayed University. One Emirati medical student was also selected to pursue medical research elective fellowship training at Beaumont Hospital in Ireland.

Her Excellency Dr Raja Al Gurg, Member of the Board of Trustees of Al Jalila Foundation and Chairperson of the Board of Directors of Al Jalila Foundation, commented: “Scientists around the world continue to search for answers into the causes, prevention and treatment of diseases affecting mankind. Our investment in medical research reaffirms our commitment to embed research and innovation in the fabric of the nation’s long-term healthcare strategy. Medical research has the potential to save lives and our efforts today will pave the way for a healthier world for future generations.”

“Advances in medical research are critical to the nation’s prosperity and our mission is to inspire medical advancements that will benefit future generations and support our vision to be at the forefront of global medical innovation. Today’s investments in medical research will go a long way to ensuring better treatment options for future generations.” Dr Raja added.

Out of 130 applications submitted for the seed grants in 2018, which represents over 141% increase in the number of applications since the inception of the program, 20 applications were selected following a competitive two-stage review process including international peer review with experts from the world’s most renowned medical institutions. The institutions include University of Oxford, King’s College London, University of Glasgow, Harvard Medical School, University of Pennsylvania, Mayo Clinic, University of Toronto, University of McMaster, University of Alberta, University of Lund, and University of Queensland. The reviewers were handpicked as leading experts in their specific field of research, in line with the commitment from Al Jalila Foundation to grow a biomedical research ecosystem in Dubai built on international best practice.

In its fifth cycle grants were awarded across all five themes with the highest number being for cancer which is representative of one of the most serious diseases this generation and leading cause of death. Twelve grants were awarded in the field of cancer, one in cardiovascular disease, three in diabetes, two in obesity, and two in mental health. The funded studies include 6 basic, 11 translational and 3 clinical research projects.

Prof. Sehamuddin Galadari, Professor of Biochemistry & Molecular Cell Biology and Chair of Scientific Advisory Committee of Al Jalila Foundation, said: “We are very pleased to see a significant increase in the number and quality of the applications received. This year nearly all Emirates were represented and grants were awarded in all five research areas supported by Al Jalila Foundation. The successful recipients have been selected following an independent and rigorous competitive selection process engaging international peer review. It is our mission as we progress to bring local and international scientists together to conduct research in the UAE. Our ultimate goal is to elevate the quality and the quantity of research being conducted in the UAE. This is very important in building a knowledge based economy, and transforming the healthcare system to be more research oriented, and hence, improving people’s lives with better treatments.”

Two UAE-based researchers funded by Al Jalila Foundation were recently honoured during the third edition of Dubai Healthcare City Authority’s (DHCA) Excellence Awards 2019 presented by HE Humaid Al Qutami, Director-General of Dubai Health Authority.

The ‘Excellence in Healthcare Research Award’ recognizes efforts by scientists funded by DHCC-based organizations to advance research. The Basic Sciences Research Category award, was presented to Taleb H. Al-Tel, a professor from Sharjah University, for his research in the development of a unique 3D chemical molecule that has a significant role in developing lead drug candidates targeting cancer, hyperlipidemia and acting against multidrug-resistant pathogens. The Applied Sciences Research Category award was presented to Leontios Hadjilentiadis, Professor at Khalifa University, for his innovative method to detect depressive disorders through a smart phone application that records four parameters related to keystroke dynamics while the user interacts with the phone’s keyboard.

Al Jalila Foundation was established in 2012 by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, to position the UAE at the forefront of medical research and innovation. Over the last 5 years Al Jalila Foundation has invested AED 25 million to advance medical research and create a platform to support local scientists and researchers.

Summary of research projects funded by Al Jalila Foundation in 2018:

Professor Thomas E Adrian, from Mohammed Bin Rashid University of Medicine and Health Sciences, to investigate novel drug combinations to treat cancer. (Cancer)

Professor Rabah Iratni, from United Arab Emirates University, investigates the anti-triple negative breast cancers (TNBC) activity of carnosol, a natural compound extracted from culinary plant, through the downregulation of the death-associated protein kinase. (Cancer)

Dr Rania Zaarour, from Gulf Medical University Ajman, aims to study the effects of smoking on remodeling the tumor microenvironment and shaping stemness and immunogenicity in lung cancer. (Cancer)

Dr Sausan Al Kawas, from the University of Sharjah, is evaluating the effects of Dokha smoking on health in the UAE population. (Cardiovascular Disease)

Professor Gulfaraz Khan, United Arab Emirates University, is investigating how the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) induces cell transformation and carcinogenesis with the aim to develop methods of prevention of EBV-associated malignancies. (Cancer)

Dr Jibran Sualeh Muhammad, from University of Sharjah, to address the question of whether estrogen signaling is capable of inducing epigenetic modifications in cancer cells. (Cancer)

Dr Hany Omar, from University of Sharjah, to investigate on metabolic reprogramming as a novel approach to sensitize cancer cells to immunotherapy.  (Cancer)

Dr Mohammed Ghazal, from Abu Dhabi University, to develop a novel software for the early diagnosis and optimal management of diabetic retinal diseases. (Diabetes)

Dr Teresa Arora, from Zayed University, to assess the feasibility and adherence of a sleep improvement intervention for weight loss and its maintenance in sleep impaired obese adults. (Obesity)

Dr Bashair Mohammed Mussa, from University of Sharjah, to investigate the role of FOS and BECLIN1-inducing autophagy in pathogenesis of hypoglycemia-associated autonomic failure in diabetes. (Diabetes)

Dr Mohammad Ameen Qasaimeh, from New York University Abu Dhabi, to propose a high-throughput technique that will enable researchers and clinicians with a rapid measurement platform to assess RBCs deformability in diabetic patients. (Diabetes)

Dr Mohamed Rahmani, from University of Sharjah, to study deciphering mechanisms of triple negative breast cancer resistance to PI3K inhibitors. (Cancer)

Dr Ibrahim Elfadel, from Khalifa University, aims to design a wearable system for reliable continuous weight monitoring. (Diabetes)

Dr Mazin Magzoub, from New York University Abu Dhabi, to develop a cancer drug delivery nanoplatform with improved stability, capacity, targeting specificity with superior imaging and real-time monitoring and simultaneous delivery of chemotherapeutics and photosensitizers for enhanced treatment efficacy. (Cancer)

Dr Kirsten Sadler Edepli, from New York University Abu Dhabi, to investigate the role of epigenetic regulator UHRF1 in hepatocyte senescence and liver tumorigenesis by taking Zebrafish as a model. (Cancer)

Dr Riyad Bendardaf, from University of Sharjah, to study the role and therapeutic implications of cyclin-dependent kinases (CDK) 4 and 6 in colorectal cancer in the UAE. (Cancer)

Dr Saba Al Heialy, from Mohammed Bin Rashid University of Medicine and Health Sciences, aims to identify genes involved in severe asthma and their correlation with the development of early lung cancer. (Cancer)

Dr M Emdadul Haque, from United Arab Emirates University, to deepen an understanding of Parkin and PINK1 in the process of regulating mitochondrial turnover. (Cancer and Mental Health)

Dr Tareq Qassem, from Erada Center for Treatment and Rehab, to evaluate the effects of Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) on behavior of individuals with identified substance abuse disorder. (Mental Health)

Dr Zubaida Shebani, from United Arab Emirates University, aims to study whether or not the activation of the motor system is necessary for language procession. (Mental Health)

Al Jalila Foundation, a global philanthropic healthcare organisation dedicated to transforming lives, announced today the launch of the third edition of the annual Ramadan campaign ‘basma’, smile in Arabic, in partnership with hospitality, leisure and retail outlets across the UAE.

Ramadan is about connecting people; Al Jalila Foundation works with the basma partners to engage their patrons during the month of giving through creative fundraising activities under the slogan “your gift, their smile” to spread hope and healing to sick children.

In the past the month-long charity campaign has brought together hundreds of partners who have raised over AED 2 million, through the support of patrons and customers, to provide life-saving treatment and medical care to children in need.

In line with the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, “to create hope, life and happiness for everyone in the UAE”, Al Jalila Foundation believes that health is the cornerstone to happiness and every child deserves the opportunity to grow up healthy, dream and realise their potential.

Al Jalila Foundation works closely with healthcare partners to develop special treatment programs that meet the needs of patients who are unable to afford quality treatment. Farah, happiness in Arabic, is the Foundation’s paediatric treatment program which has helped 254 children in the UAE: from life-saving heart surgeries to treatment of childhood cancers, cochlear implants and prosthetic limbs, all have been given a fresh start in life after receiving special care by some of the best medical providers and physicians in the region. In 2018, Al Jalila Foundation sponsored the first kidney transplant in Dubai as part of its efforts to transform the lives of children and fund cutting-edge treatment to improve patients’ lives.

As a non-profit organisation Al Jalila Foundation relies on the support of its partners and donations are invested directly into healthcare programs to benefit those in need. For more information on how to participate in basma please visit www.aljalilafoundation.ae/basma.