In another heartfelt act of giving, the UAE-based civil society organisation Friends of Cancer Patients (FOCP), has brought a smile on the faces of 50 cancer patients, survivors and their families in the UAE, by bringing to their doorsteps generously-endowed essential food kits to mark International Day of Charity observed globally on September 5.

As part of its commitment to ease the financial as well as emotional burden of cancer patients undergoing treatment, FOCP has made this thoughtful offering to them and their families in collaboration with UAE Food Bank, a non-profit organisation committed to distributing food to those in need. The UAE’s first food bank, the non-profit runs under the umbrella of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives (MBRGI).

This is the second FOCP–UAE Food bank philanthropic venture this year after the latter supported FOCP’s ‘Ramadan Mir’ campaign with the distribution of essential nutrition kits to cancer patients across the nation.

The International Day of Charity commemorates Nobel Peace Prize laureate, Mother Teresa, who dedicated her life and career to serving the poor and the destitute.

Majed Ibrahim, Executive Beneficiary Support Services, FOCP, said: “Charity enables meaningful social bonding and contributes to the creation of inclusive, socially-minded and resilient societies. Every act of giving, however big or small, can make a difference. Through our various philanthropic and community-focused initiatives, FOCP continues to strengthen its efforts to make the treatment journeys of cancer patients as bearable and comfortable as possible.With this initiative too, our objective was to put a smile on their faces and offer them a fresh boost of hope, as positivity plays a crucial role in maintaining their will to recover.”

This latest FOCP initiative is inspired by the non-profit’s ‘Ana-nutrition’ drive, which was formulated under their ‘Ana’ childhood cancer awareness initiative to offer a holistic and comprehensive understanding of the pivotal role of healthy lifestyles and holistic nutrition in battling paediatric cancers. Through a range of workshops and activities, Ana-nutrition teaches kids how to make delectable, healthy snacks while engaging with parents on the early signs and symptoms of childhood cancer and the importance of good nutrition.

FOCP is a charitable society founded in 1999 under the directives and patronage of Her Highness Sheikha Jawaher bint Mohammed Al Qasimi, Wife of the Ruler of Sharjah, Founder and Royal Patron of the FOCP UAE, and International Ambassador of the World Cancer Declaration for Union for International Cancer Control. FOCP was established to help alleviate the financial and emotional burden that cancer often imposes on patients and their families, and to promote awareness about the early detectable forms of the disease. Apart from its awareness role, FOCP is committed to providing moral and financial support to thousands of patients and their families of all ages and nationalities across the UAE.