The UAE-based non-profit, Friends of Cancer Patients (FOCP), has announced its eighth annual ‘I Deserve a Life’ Ramadan Zakat campaign, that aims to raise funds using digital options during the Holy Month to help underprivileged cancer patients who cannot afford high costs of treatment.

The campaign has been strategically designed to enable donors to make their contributions remotely this year, in light of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, and calls on private and government entities, banks, top donors as well as UAE residents to observe the month of giving by offering hope to one of the neediest sections of the Muslim community. In these times of the novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, funds generated under the Zakat fund will be instrumental in supporting cancer patients, who are more susceptible to such communicable diseases, and allow recovering patients continue their follow-up treatment without break. According to the Fatwa issued by the Permanent Fatwa Committee in Sharjah, it is permissible to use zakat funds to treat poor and needy patients, if they cannot afford treatment costs.

The campaign, which was first launched in 2013, has collected AED 6.854 million so far which has supported treatment for 1,320 patients, including chemotherapy and radiotherapy, surgical procedures, and also covered urgent expenses patients incur during early stages of treatment and care. Over AED 1.839 million was collected during the 2019 campaign which benefitted 335 patients.

Many of the patients have recovered and gone on to lead normal productive lives. Others who require long-term treatment and support are also given loving care till they recover fully and can be rehabilitated. Abdullah, an 18-year-old Emirati and long-term cancer patient supported by FOCP, said: “I started my journey with the Friends of Cancer Patients when I was 8 years old. FOCP has been a Godsend to me for the past 10 years, dedicated to providing me with the treatment and emotional support that my condition requires.”

“FOCP’s role in offering me moral support during the very painful and difficult period I underwent during my treatment, was remarkable. They even facilitated my Umrah trip which gave me so much joy as I experienced the house of God. I shall forever be grateful to FOCP and the people who contribute to its Zakat fund for the incredible service and immense hope they give to patients like me,” added Abdullah. Donations to FOCP’s ‘I Deserve a Life’ Ramadan Zakat fund can be made to FOCP directly online at www.focp.ae. Online donation coupons of AED 10, 50,100, 500 and 1,000 are available for purchase at: https://focp.ae/coupon

Bank transfers can be made to FOCP’s ‘Zakatkm Elajohm’ local account no: 0011-364854-002 at the Sharjah Islamic Bank (International Bank Account Number ‘IBAN’: AE440410000011364854002).

SMS donations can be made by sending the word ‘Zakat’ to the Etisalat numbers: 2303 to donate AED 10; 2305 to donate AED 50; 2307 to donate AED 100, or 2308 to donate AED 500.