Sharjah-based non-profit organisation recommences its Ramadan humanitarian campaign

For immediate release
Sharjah, May 30, 2017

Friends of Cancer Patients (FoCP) is continuing its humanitarian efforts in collecting Zakat funds from individuals and organisations through its Ramadan initiative: ‘I Deserve a Life.’ The non-profit organisation’s holy month campaign will provide treatment for cancer patients who cannot afford the burdensome cost of cancer treatment in the UAE.

FoCP’s initiative, which was launched in 2013, forms part of the organisation’s efforts to support cancer patients in the country. Over the past two years, the donation drive has succeeded in providing treatment worth AED 2.3 million for 452 cancer sufferers, including 179 patients who were offered therapy costing AED 825,000 in 2015 and 273 patients who received treatment worth AED 1.480 million in 2016.

“With the start of Ramadan, we are renewing our call for all community segments in the UAE to help cancer patients overcome the challenges they face throughout the various stages of their treatment. We are inviting all individuals and organisations to contribute to the Zakat fund-raising campaign: “I Deserve a Life.’ The proceeds generated from the initiative over the past three years have formed a significant source of payment for treatment, thereby giving hope to hundreds of cancer patients who need financial as well as moral support to overcome their disease. It has helped provide sufferers with essential medical treatment and contributed to saving the lives of many people with cancer,” said Dr. Sawsan Al Madhi, Director General of FoCP.

Al Madhi revealed that the initiative, which coincides with the UAE’s Year of Giving 2017 declared by President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, aims to provide AED 2.225 million worth of treatment for 400 cancer patients.

Individuals and organisations can donate to ‘I Deserve a Life’ via SMS by sending the word ‘Zakat’ to 4425 (Etisalat or Du) to donate AED 10, and ‘Zakat’ 2307(Etisalat or Du) to donate AED 100, or to 2308 (Etisalat or Du) to donate AED 500. Money also can be deposited directly into FoCP’s ‘Zakatkm Elajohm’ bank account at the main branch of Sharjah Islamic Bank: 0011-364854-002 (International Bank Account Number ‘IBAN’: AE440410000011364854002).

Running from May 27 to June 24, the Zakat collecting points are available at Sharjah Cooperative Society’s branches at Al Sewihat, Halwan and Al Qarayen. The fund-raising campaign allows community members, government bodies and private organisations to contribute to the humanitarian cause. The initiative’s teams will receive people wishing to donate Zakat funds from 4-6pm, and from 9:30pm-12:00 midnight, throughout the holy month.

FoCP’s Zakat-donation initiative is based on an Islamic Fatwa issued by the Permanent Fatwa Committee in Sharjah. It approves the paying of medical treatment costs for cancer patients from certified Zakat money under two conditions; first that the patient is unable to pay the costs themselves and second that the fund is used to cover treatment charges only. The Fatwa is the basic framework within which the initiative functions and within which FoCP’s teams are committed to operating.