Friends of Cancer Patients (FoCP) is taking its 'UAE Relay for Life' walkathon to a series of shows at schools, universities and malls around the UAE. The non-profit organisation, which is dedicated to fighting cancer and supporting patients, is hosting its 24-hour exercise event on November 17th and 18th at the American University of Sharjah, AUS, and has embarked on a roadshow awareness initiative to encourage people to take part.

"FoCP has ramped up its preparations for next month’s UAE Relay for Life, which is being held at AUS, through a programme of visiting academic institutions and public places in the UAE. Our aim is to encourage participation in the walkathon, optimise the fundraising aspect of the event, and raise awareness about cancer. The UAE’s first ever Relay for Life walkathon is a wonderful community initiative that brings people together for a united cause," said Badr Al Jaaidi, Events and Logistics Senior Executive at FoCP.

"Everyone is eligible to participate in the UAE Relay for Life. Tickets are priced at AED 100 for adults and AED 60 for children below 14 years. Now is the time for individuals to get registered and to encourage their friends and families to sponsor their participation and raise money for what is a wonderful cause. Further information about the event, how to donate funds and how to register, can be found on the official web-site," he added.

Organised in collaboration with the American Cancer Society, UAE Relay for Life is a 24-hour walkathon that is being held for the first time in the MENA region. The activity takes the form of a 24-hour walk around the athletics track at AUS, with the overnight element designed to promote community solidarity and to remember loved ones lost to cancer. The event will raise funds for cancer patients in the UAE through both the registration fee, through the individual ‘Relayers’ and the team fundraising activities. All proceeds generated from the walkathon will go towards supporting cancer patients and their families in the UAE.

Relay for Life has its origins in 1985 in the USA, when colorectal surgeon Dr. Gordy Klatt organised the first ever event and successfully raised $27,000 for his local cancer charity. Since then, it has gone on to become the largest fundraising event for cancer in the world. Currently taking place in 29 countries, Relay for Life has raised more than $5 billion to this day and all the funds collected were used in support of cancer patients worldwide.

Relay for Life has already taken its roadshow to American University Sharjah, GEMS and the Emirates Academy of Hospitality Management. It will now be travelling to Dubai Outlet Mall, Jebel Ali Free Zone, and New York University. The organisers of the event say that the visits form part of a comprehensive publicity drive to promote the walkathon.

"Running up to November 17th, FoCP will be organising a series of activities, workshops and events, as well as hosting a number of personalities to drive participation in the UAE Relay for Life. We encourage everyone to join in with the initiative, which was inspired by the vision of His Highness Dr. Sheikh Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, and which is in perfect alignment with the UAE’s #Year of Giving. We would love to see all citizens, young and old, to join us at American University of Sharjah on November 17th - 18th to show their community spirit and their commitment to fighting cancer," added Al Jaaidi.

FoCP has provided medical treatment, as well as other forms of support, for more than 3,700 cancer patients and their families since it was founded in 1999. The organisation was established to help alleviate the moral and financial burden that cancer often imposes for patients and their families. Among its offerings are meeting the costs of patients wishing to undertake religious pilgrimages, hosting recreation and exciting external activations in hospitals and providing respite breaks for family members.