Ana is a childhood cancer initiative that falls under Friends of Cancer Patients’ umbrella “Kashf” for early detection of cancer. The initiative came to light in November 2014 under the directives of Her Highness Sheikha Jawaher Bint Mohammed  Al  Qasimi,  Wife of the Ruler of Sharjah, Founder and Patron of the Friends of Cancer Patients,  International   Ambassador   of the World Cancer Declaration  for  Union for International Cancer Control (UICC), International Ambassador for Childhood Cancer for UICC and Patron of the First Global  NCD  Alliance Forum.

Ana, which means ‘I’ in English, has been specifically named to encourage patients of childhood cancer celebrate their individuality irrespective of their physical appearance.

The initiative aims to enhance the lives   of paediatric cancer patients and their families, through the provision of care and financial and moral support that may ease the burden. The journey through the childhood cancer experience is best done in community, with support from family, friends, medical professionals and organizations modelled to address the unmet needs that childhood cancer triggers.

Ana seeks to raise awareness about the seven common warning signs of childhood cancer and highlight the importance of early detection, as childhood cancer is the fourth most common cause of death among children under 15year-old in industrialised nations, according to the latest statistics from the World Health Organisation (WHO).