More than 1.6 million dirhams was raised at the official inauguration of ‘Hope’, a breast cancer initiative by the Khalaf Ahmad Al Habtoor Foundation (KAHF) at the Bentley Café & Boutique on Monday 31 October 2016.
The campaign, aimed at helping breast cancer sufferers and their families in the United Arab Emirates as well as raising awareness and funding for cancer research, was launched by Noora Mohammed Al Habtoor, the grand-daughter of UAE philanthropist Khalaf Ahmad Al Habtoor, Mariam Abdullah Al Mazrooei, wife of Ahmed Al Habtoor, CEO, Al Habtoor Motors.
Donations included a quarter of a million-dirham contribution from the Awqaf & Minors Affairs Foundation and AED 100,000 donation from Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank. Other donations came from institutions affiliated with the Al Habtoor Group. The remaining funds were raised via a charity auction at the VIP gala event.
Mohammed Al Habtoor, Vice-Chairman and CEO, Al Habtoor Group honoured the institutions and individuals who contributed to Hope, and also announced that Khalaf Ahmad Al Habtoor would double the proceeds of the event, taking the grand total of the amount raised to AED 1,620,000.
“We raised a staggering amount of money to help support awareness in the UAE about breast cancer,” he said. “We are delighted with the pledges so far, and encourage more people to contribute to this worthy cause.”
Among the items auctioned on the night were two oil paintings by Italian painter Anil Lillo Dell’Utri; one showing Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nathan and Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, and a separate portrait featuring His Highness Sheikh Mohammed. Other items that went under the hammer included a limited edition Hublot watch, a Bentley Continental Saddle handbag, a signed Everlast boxing glove signed by boxing legend Muhammed Ali, a signed Bubba Watson Ping putter, an autographed polo ball by Pablo Mac Donough, tickets to experience the Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Formula 1 Grand Prix with exclusive entry to the McLaren Automotive Hospitality Suite at the November Grand Prix, and a complimentary hire of a McLaren 570s for two days.
Speakers at the official VIP launch included Dr Moza Al Hattawi, General Surgeon and Chairperson, Dubai Health Authority - Breast Cancer Campaign, and renowned Arab television presenter and Influencer Lojain Omran. The audience also heard from cancer survivor Mrs Narina Mehra, who talked about the importance of early detection and gave a first-hand experience of her journey to survival.
“Following the success of last night, we will launch more fund-raising events throughout the year,” said Noora Al Habtoor, ‘Hope’ Co-Founder. “We hope, that through this initiative we will be able to help better educate people about breast cancer and encourage women to screen themselves regularly.”
The funds raised by Hope will be used to support and treat breast cancer patients with the support of the Dubai Health Authority (DHA) and Friends of Cancer Patients Society.
Abdul Salam Al Marzooqi, General Manager, KAHF said, “The support we have received from this event helps spread hope to other breast cancer patients and their families. It sends them a message that they are not alone. They are part of our community and the Khalaf Ahmad Al Habtoor Foundation is there to support them through the Hope initiative.”