Sharjah, 03 January 2012: The Friends of Cancer Patients Society (FOCP), a UAE charitable, volunteer-based foundation operating under the umbrella of the Supreme Council for Family Affairs in Sharjah, has signed a memorandum of understanding with the Canadian University of Dubai (CUD) for collaboration in research on the topic of cancer in the UAE.

The agreement was signed recently by Dr Sawsan Abdul Salam Al Madhi, Secretary General of Friends of Cancer Patients and Mr. Buti Al Ghandi, Chancellor and Chairman of the Board of Trustees at the Canadian University of Dubai. Present at the signing were HE Ameera BinKaram, FOCP President and Founding Member, Dr Karim Chelli, President of the Canadian University of Dubai, and Dr Rami El Khatib, Associate Professor and Chair of the School of Environment and Health Sciences, at the Canadian University of Dubai.

In support of the MoU, a group of CUD students donated the proceeds of a two-week fundraising drive to FOCP - a total of AED10, 000.

Per the terms of the agreement, the two parties are to share statistical data in order to publish research papers on UAE health issues to be published internationally; to partner to provide critical data analysis to the UAE Ministry of Health; to provide guest lecturers to CUD students studying Environmental and Health Sciences; to provide internships and potential job opportunities for CUD students and graduates; to promote community awareness lectures throughout the calendar year in CUD's Red Theater on the various types of cancer and their detection; and to partner on fund raising for cancer research.

FOCP, whose Pink Caravan campaign to raise awareness of the importance of early breast cancer detection, has been running since April, and is actively involved in supporting those affected by cancer - patients and their families - by providing both moral and financial support in the form of information, practical assistance and funds, where possible. The findings of the research will provide additional information for the Pink Caravan campaign, which will also be integrally involved in the planned community awareness lectures.

Speaking of the importance of the agreement, Dr Al Madhi said, "Friends of Cancer Patients is committed to working together with the government, business and the community in order to provide the highest levels of support to those affected by cancer within the UAE. This agreement with the Canadian University of Dubai is an important step in our plan to involve all sectors of society in this important task, and by pooling our resources, sharing research findings and information, and providing work opportunities for students in the health sciences sector. I am confident that we will move even closer to achieving our goal of reaching and assisting all those affected by cancer, while at the same time moving ever closer to discovering a cure for all forms of this disease."

Said Mr. Al Ghandi: "We are delighted to have signed this MoU to formalise our relationship with FOCP. We fully support the important work being done by the society through our community outreach initiative, and welcome this opportunity to work together with them to achieve such important objectives. I firmly believe that the students of CUD will also benefit from the arrangement, through the guest lecturers as well as the internships and potential job opportunities that will be provided."

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About FOCP:
Friends of Cancer Patients (FOCP) is a charitable, volunteer-based foundation operating as a specialized entity under the umbrella of the Supreme Council for Family Affairs in Sharjah.

FOCP was established during 1999 in accordance with the directives and under the patronage of Her Highness Sheikha Jawaher Bint Mohammed AI-Qasimi, President of the Supreme Council for Family Affairs, and wife of the Ruler of Sharjah & Federal Supreme Council Member His Royal Highness Dr. Sheikh Sultan Bin Mohammed Al-Qasimi.

For further information, please contact:
Serine Srouji
SAHARA Communications
Tel: +971 4 3298996
Fax: +971 4 3298995
Mob: +971 50 3286188
Email: serin@saharagcc.com
Website: www.saharagcc.com

© Press Release 2012