Cancer patients who are struggling to pay for the treatment they need arebenefiting from a Ramadan initiative from Friends of Cancer Patients (FoCP). The Sharjah-based charitable organisation that serves cancer patients and their families is collecting funds for sufferers under its ‘I Deserve a Life,’ campaign, with zakat - Islamic religious alms - donations collected at three branches of Sharjah Cooperative Society.

The initiative, which has been established specially to assist cancer patients who are less affluent than others, sees zakat collecting points at Sharjah Cooperative Society’s branches at Al Sewihat, Halwan and Al Qarayen. Thefund-raising campaign allows individuals, government and private authorities and entities to donate zakatto FoCP throughout the holy month of Ramadan. 

All proceeds generated from ‘I Deserve a Life’ will be given to cancer patients who need financial support to cover their medical costs.FoCP’s holy month initiative has been devised to be in alignment with its quest to help patients who are diagnosed with various forms of cancer in the UAE and to provide them with the care that they need. The campaign is part of the organisation’s wider mission to make Emirati society completely cancer-free.

Dr.Sawsan Al Madhi, Director General of FoCP, encouraged individuals and institutions to donate to her organisation’s unique Ramadan initiative, saying that it holds the values of selflessness and generosity,reiterating that it reflects social solidarity by helping cancer patients who are unable to afford expensive treatment. She pointed out that the money raised will enable FoCPto meet the treatment charges for impoverished cancer patients, with the forms of therapy covered including surgical procedures such as bone marrow transplant, chemotherapy and the provision of prosthetic limbs.

“Launched in 2013 and implemented only during the holy month of Ramadan, ‘I Deserve a Life’ aims to raise funds as well as awareness about cancer in order to reduce the disease’s effects on the individual and on society as a whole. In addition to providing financial support, it also gives moral and social support for patients and their families, which is just as important. The initiative forms an essential strand of our voluntary work, which is a fundamental pillar that characterises our beloved country,” said Al Madhi.

‘I Deserve a Life’ is derived from an official Fatwa. The Permanent Fatwa Committee in Sharjah has approved the paying of medical treatment costs for cancer patients from certified zakat money under two conditions; firstly, that the patient is unable to pay the costs themselves and secondlythat the fund is used to cover treatment chargesonly. The Fatwa is considered to be the basic framework within which the initiative functions and within which FoCP’s teams are committed.

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. Money also can be deposited directly into FoCP’sZakatkmElajohm bank account at the main branch of Sharjah Islamic Bank: 003-0364854-003 (International Bank Account Number ‘IBAN’: AE350410000030364854003).