‘Relay by FOCP’, a smart application launched last year at the second edition of the UAE Relay For Life (RFL) cancer walkathon organised by UAE-based charity, Friends Of Cancer Patients (FOCP), has successfully concluded a new month-long charity fitness challenge it introduced recently to embrace the spirit of giving associated with the holy month of Ramadan.

The ‘Give & Gain 2020, Ramadan campaign’ challenge was held in collaboration with the Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI)’s Engage Dubai Programme for corporate volunteering.

Relay by FOCP is a smart app that allows people to keep fit while raising funds to support those affected by cancer. It does so by keeping track of the number of steps the app’s user takes. Completion of a certain number of steps enables the user to donate a specified amount to FOCP.

Under the ‘Give & Gain 2020, Ramadan campaign’ challenge, Relay by FOCPsought to garner the support of companies and organisations in encouraging their employees to get their daily quota of 5,000 steps to stay fit and healthy. In return, participating companies have donated 1 fils for every step their employees have taken towards FOCP’s efforts in boosting cancer awareness advocacy and providing treatment support.

The ‘Give & Gain 2020, Ramadan campaign’ challenge which commenced on April 23 concluded on May 21 and targeted 5 million steps. UAE organisations that have taken on the challenge included DP World, UAE Region, FOCP, Elements 8 and Qimah, amongst others.

Badr Al Juaidi, Manager of RFL UAE, which is an annual breast cancer awareness campaign organised by FOCP, welcomed the successful partnership with Dubai Chamber, saying: “Community uplifts community, and the UAE’s spirit of giving and doing good for others keeps growing stronger with partners like Dubai Chambers coming forward to ensure cancer patients who cannot bear high treatment costs are not left alone. This challenge was a perfect fit for their Give & Gain campaign, as it ensured partakers benefitted by benefitting others. Together, we have matched our steps in creating a healthier future for us and others.”

Dr. Belaid Ratab, Chief Economist, Senior Director – Economic Research & Sustainable Business Development Sector, Dubai Chamber, stressed on the importance of such initiatives. “The holy month of Ramadan is all about the spirit of sharing and giving back, and now more than ever, the community needs that.  Through our  Give& Gain 2020, Ramadan Campaign we encouraged employees to volunteer from home by meeting their daily quota of 5,000 steps and at the same time stay fit and healthy –  a win-win situation for corporates, employees and the community.”

‘Give & Gain’ is an annual employee volunteering campaign organised by DCCI under which several events are held in collaboration with associated companies to promote a culture of social responsibility and volunteerism within the local business community. This year, DCCI teamed with FOCP-RFL to run the campaign in a new format through the Relay by FOCPmobile app.