Jawaher Al Qasimi receives “Distinguished Leadership Award” from American Cancer Society

Sharjah, 14 November 2015

His Highness Sheikh Dr Sultan Bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah and Her Highness Sheikha Jawaher bint Mohammed Al Qasimi Wife of His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah Founder and Royal Patron of the Friends of Cancer Patients (FoCP) and International Ambassador for the World Cancer Declaration of the Union for International Cancer Control (UICC) and International Ambassador for Childhood Cancer for UICC, welcomed high profile delegates attending the Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) Forum being held in Sharjah for the first time through a welcoming high tea reception.

The event was held at Al Badi’a Palace with attendees thanking His Highness Sheikh Dr Sultan Al Qasimi and Her Highness Sheikha Jawaher Al Qasimi for their patronage of the historic event which convenes leaders from the growing network of national and regional NCDs alliances from across the globe for the first ever NCD Alliance Forum which seeks to establish greater collaborations and focus global efforts to combat NCDs.

Also  attending the event was Sheikh Khalid bin Sultan bin Mohamed Al Qasimi, Chairman of Sharjah Urban Planning Council; HRH Princess Ghida Talal, Chairperson, Board of Trustees, King Hussein Cancer Foundation; HRH Princess Dina Mired, Director General, King Hussein Cancer Foundation, Honorary Chairperson of the Jordan Breast Cancer Program; HE Ameera BinKaram, Chairperson and founding member of FoCP; Dr Jose Castro, Chair of NCD Alliance and Dr Carey Adams, CEO Union for International Cancer Control (UICC).

HH Sheikh Sultan praised the idea of organising the forum and the need to support the efforts of all participants to arrive at a common international mechanism that contributes to the provision of a healthy life for the whole world. He also commended the role of his wife, Sheikha Jawaher Al Qasimi, in advocacy and mobilizing efforts to hold this international gathering for the first time in the UAE.

Sheikh Sultan reiterated that the UAE was, and will remain supportive for all health initiatives locally and globally, and hence, Sharjah will provide all the needed and fundamental support to ensure the success of the forum and its goals. It will also continue to provide the foundation for international action to combat non-communicable diseases.

HH Sheikha Jawaher Al Qasimi expressed her thanks and appreciation to all participants for accepting the invitation to be part of this forum. “The fight against the consequence’s and implications of non-communicable diseases stems from our ethical commitment towards humanity, and toward every person and every family suffering from the effects of these illnesses worldwide, especially in low- and middle-income countries. Investing in the health and education sectors is the best investment to ensure a good and promising future for our people, I hope that the global forum on NCD Alliance marks a new beginning and significant milestone for sincere work to cut mortality caused by non-communicable diseases.”

She added: “We have an elite group of health experts and specialists. Our goals can be achieved, and what we want is to unify vision, effort and global willpower.”

During the reception, Sheikha Jawaher Al Qasimi received the “Distinguished Leadership Award” from the American Cancer Society in recognition of her outstanding effort in the fight against cancer in the UAE and the world, as well as of her pioneering vision for mobilizing support for spreading awareness about children’s and women’s cancers. The award also recognizes Her Highness’s ability to make domestic and international achievements in this regard. Paul Holmes, Director of International Relations at the American Cancer Society, presented the award to Sheikha Jawaher.

Paul Holmes said: “It is a distinct pleasure and honour for us to be welcomed into the palace and to have this opportunity to recognize Her Highness’ contributions. In the UAE, in the region and in the broader world Her Highness has been a champion for the vulnerable and under-served, demonstrating her passion for helping women, girls, youth, families, refugees and patients. Her Highness is leading the way in Sharjah, in the region and in the world.”

Also present was Dr Jose Luis Castro, Chair NCDA who said, “We are deeply grateful to His Royal Highness Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi and Her Highness Sheikha Jawaher bint Mohammed Al Qasimi for their extraordinary generosity and hospitality in hosting us and through your strong leadership in the international effort to reduce the burden of cancer and other critical diseases.”