If you live in the UAE you will certainly know the name dnata and would likely have used their services. What you may not have known is that when you engaged the services or bought products from dnata you were supporting Al Jalila Foundation healthcare programs.

Since 2019 dnata, the leading global air and travel services provider in the Middle East, has initiated and executed some amazing philanthropic activities and fundraising events throughout the year to improve the lives of patients in the UAE.

With breast cancer as the key theme during October dnata Travel jumped at the chance to be a part of our #PINKtober campaign by donating a percentage of all holiday bookings to support breast cancer research and treatment. In order to raise more awareness for the disease they even painted one of the airplane pushback tractors pink to promote regular screening and early detection of breast cancer. Travellers from all over the world who used Dubai International (DXB) airport would have likely seen dnata’s eye-catching pink equipment while waiting for their flight.

In addition to charity activations the travel group has dnata4good, an employee-driven initiative that supports the communities in which they operate. The importance of social accountability and making an impact beyond business goals is key and dnata4good pledges to give back to the communities by supporting charities and community development projects that align with their charitable pillars: Community, Environment and Wellbeing.

Thanks to the continuous support of dnata management and employees the team have raised almost AED 100,000 to support Al Jalila Foundation programs.

Through the Ta’alouf Teachers Training program, Al Jalila Foundation is committed to supporting inclusion in the classroom so that every child of determination can reach their full potential. Since 2014 the Ta’alouf Teachers Training program, in partnership with Zayed University, has been offered to educators across the UAE equipping them with the skills they need to ensure all the children attending their classes will blossom and develop to the greatest of their abilities.

St. Mary’s Catholic High School, Fujairah has been sending their teachers to the one-year program since 2018 which has contributed to far greater inclusion of children with all abilities in their classes.

Principal Father Suresh Kumar has noticed a marked improvement in the school, “Through the Al Jalila Foundation Ta’alouf Teachers Training program, the teachers at St. Mary’s Catholic High School, Fujairah have been able to adapt their approach to special education within their classrooms. The teachers have been able to better assist in early identification and subsequently suggest and implement strategies to support these children to reach their highest potential. As a result, the school continually progresses towards the goal of being an inclusive learning environment. We are excited to continue our partnership with Al Jalila Foundation and increase our capacity for inclusion.”

Al Jalila Foundation, in partnership with Zayed University, has trained 548 teachers from 163 government and private schools across the seven emirates, to deliver on our commitment to support the happiness and wellbeing of children of determination.

The game of golf has a long history of being a leader in philanthropic contributions and giving to charity is an integral part of the sport. The sport can even be recognised as the leader in charitable giving around the world setting the benchmark for incorporating sports and philanthropy.

The UAE hosts some of the most important tournaments in the world and we have witnessed amazing support from our local golf partners like Dubai Golf. Dubai Golf holds several events and tournaments at Dubai Creek Golf and Yacht Club and Emirates Golf Club to support Al Jalila Foundation throughout the year. These events range from local club members getting together to support their dedicated cause to world class events featuring the stars of the sport.

These prestigious golf events have not only led to great fundraising but have opened many avenues for other partnerships. Massive, televised events have shown our logo to the world as world famous golfers wear pink in support of breast cancer research in the UAE and beyond. We have even had several star professional golfers visit Al Jalila foundation to donate a portion of their winnings to charity and have their name engraved on Bassmat Rashid Bin Saeed donor recognition wall.

We are grateful and proud of our partnership with Dubai Golf who, since 2015, have raised an astonishing AED 800,000 for Al Jalila Foundation. We look forward to many more years of working together for the greater good of the community.

Pier Shilliday found small lumps under her arm and on her bikini line during her husband’s 40th birthday celebrations and was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma on 30 October 2021.

On 16 November 2021 Pier started her treatment which included chemotherapy and radiation. Pier says “chemo was tough” but her biggest concern was explaining the diagnosis to her 5-year-old daughter and how she would react when “mummy lost her hair”. Children are resilient and Pier and her husband tried to include April as much as possible in the most age-appropriate way to make it less “scary” – when her husband shaved her hair, April was part of it.

Pier’s positivity got her through the tough days and as life slowed down so that she could focus on her health, Pier pursued art. It was a fun activity to do with her daughter and her creativity flourished. Pier found solace in art and it was the beginning of her journey as an artist.

When Pier visited Majlis Al Amal, she did so with some hesitation. “I am in tears thinking about that first day I walked into Majlis Al Amal, how I felt its immediate calmness, and the warm welcome I received from everyone who was there that day. Since then, it has become my sanctuary, where I’ve met wonderful, positive women, and attended various activities, some of which I would never have contemplated before being diagnosed. I even encapsulated its spirit by doing a painting of the pink couch, where I have seen women consoling each other, inspiring each other, organising activities and outings with each other, even having meals or naps! Majlis Al Amal is truly a place to escape and be with women who have been through a similar journey to yourself. And that is a big comfort.”

Pier is the artist behind ‘The Pink Couch’ a beautiful tribute to Majlis Al Amal and the community of cancer warriors that have been a shoulder to lean on when life with cancer gets too much to bear. Pier recently had the honour of sharing her art notebook with Her Highness Sheikha Latifa bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairperson of the Dubai Culture and Arts Authority (Dubai Culture), during her visit to the cancer drop-in centre. “It was an unforgettable experience, I never imagined that my cancer journey would lead me to this incredible moment” Pier exclaimed.

If you are a cancer patient or survivor, or know anyone that is, please join the Majlis Al Amal Facebook Group to connect with an inspiring community of hope.

Imagine for a minute that you could not hear the birds singing, the leaves fluttering in the wind, and the laughter of children playing in the park. Imagine a world without sound. Now, imagine a parent who has just been told that their child cannot hear. Despair turns to hope when they learn of the cochlear implant – a surgically implanted electronic device that restores hearing.  However, for many families, the cochlear implant is out of reach as it is an expensive procedure that requires extensive post-operative speech therapy and rehabilitation.

At the heart of our A’awen program is our mission to help improve the lives of patients. With A’awen, there is always hope.

When Swaba was born, her parents were devastated to learn that she could not hear. “It was heartbreaking. The doctor confirmed that she could not hear anything and we were told that her development would be slow,” says Raseena, Swaba’s mother.

Early intervention improves speech and hearing outcomes. It is crucial that children with hearing loss are treated as early as possible. Swaba was eligible for a cochlear implant with all the costs covered by Al Jalila Foundation.

Since the cochlear implant surgery and the activation 3-year-old Swaba has become very inquisitive;  she is imitating sounds and can already say “mama” and “baba” much to her parents’ delight. When Swaba heard for the first time her parents were overwhelmed with joy, and so much hope! In that moment, the sweet little girl’s life was changed forever. Swaba received a precious, life-transforming gift: the gift of hearing. She still has a long road to recovery but the path ahead is bright and full of hope.

Click here to watch Swaba’s video.

Due to severe complications which caused atrophy in the brain cells at the time of her birth, Ghala, now 15-years-old had developed an intellectual disability which affects her speech.

Initially Ghala’s mother, Suhad, had concerns if Ghala could live a normal life and have access to all the services available to other children. Suhad took every opportunity to educate herself on how to work with her daughter’s strengths so she could live a full life. Thanks to her mother’s guidance and nurturing, Ghala was included into mainstream school to learn with her peers where she acquired many skills and developed a passion swimming. Suhad’s motto is “We will share happiness together.”

As Ghala grew, Suhad felt she needed to further expand her knowledge in the field of special education. In 2019 she was given the opportunity to enrol in Al Jalila Foundation’s Ta’alouf Parents Training Program which equips parents with the skills to empower their children of determination. Suhad absorbed so much knowledge and developed strong skills from the program which she put to use right away.

“The program helped me so much with a variety of topics particularly the issue of puberty and how to prepare my daughter for this phase. I do not have enough words to thank Al Jalila Foundation for empowering me with greater understanding to support my amazing daughter and for developing my abilities and experience to work with people of determination.”

4-year-old Aadvika’s parents became concerned when they saw her behaviour change. Their once bubbly and energetic girl no longer enjoyed socialising or playing with other children, she was tired all the time and did not have any energy.

Upon further medical examinations her parents were devasted to hear that their first child had been diagnosed with B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukaemia.

In addition to the shocking news Aadvika’s parents were overwhelmed with the cost of the life-saving treatment desperately needed for their daughter. Their plight for help came to the attention of Al Jalila Foundation and a special campaign was placed on the patient crowdfunding platform A’awen Giving. Much to the family’s delight the community were there to support young Aadvika with the full amount needed for her treatment was raised in a short time.

Aadvika’s parents were overjoyed, “It was heart-breaking to see Aadvika suffer. We felt so helpless. Now we feel so supported from our amazing community who are always by our side and have helped us get our precious daughter the treatment she needs. Now Aadvika is once again our athletic and social girl who loves to play with her little sister.”

Al Jalila Foundation held a Superhero Day as part of Childhood Cancer Awareness Month for the children who received support through the A’awen patient treatment program. We were delighted to see Aadvika so eager to take part in all the fun activities throughout the day. She truly has blossomed into a talkative, active and happy young girl.