Sheikha Jawaher bint Mohammed Al Qasimi, Wife of H.H. Dr. Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, Founder and Royal Patron of the Friends of Cancer Patients Society (FoCP), has called on the international community to stand up to the phenomenon of the increasing number of deaths due to cancer among children around the world.
In recognition of International Childhood Cancer Day, which falls on 15th February, Sheikha Jawaher, also International Ambassador of the World Cancer Declaration for Union for International Cancer Control (UICC) and International Ambassador for Childhood Cancer for UICC, emphasised the need for the international community to shoulder its humanitarian responsibility towards these children, especially those who do not have access to specialised clinics or hospitals to provide them with the necessary treatment and medical care.
According to World Health Organisation (WHO), nearly 80% of children with cancer are living in developing countries, Sheikha Jawaher said.
She stressed the need to develop global common strategies to protect the lives of thousands of children around the world from cancer and its negative consequences on young ones, their families and the entire community.
She also underlined the great importance of the family's role in the treatment of childhood cancer, and implored countries and their competent authorities throughout the world to adopt strategies to educate families about the importance of psychotherapy for children. She furthermore conveyed the valuable significance of providing rehabilitation programmes for children to help them overcome the disease concerning the long duration of treatment in most cases, as well as the need for children to undertake countless tests and receive several therapy sessions.
Sheikha Jawaher noted that although there are no clear methods proven to prevent cancer, the cure rate of cancer has grown to a significant figure of 70% if treated properly, medically and psychologically.
Sheikha Jawaher voiced her concern over the continuous increase in the number of mortalities caused by childhood cancer, specifically in developing countries. According to WHO data, over 200,000 children develop cancer worldwide each year, with a mortality rate of approximately 96,000 per year, 80% of which are in developing countries.
She indicated that the international community, in particular developed countries, should contribute significantly to reducing the number of cancer deaths among children, and protect the lives of the children who would otherwise die as a result of lack of proper medical and psychological treatment, preventive and awareness programs for parents.
Sheikha Jawaher declared that every child in this world has the right to enjoy a healthy life, and to have the basic fundamentals for it, noting that this is a human duty that should be shouldered by the international community and all its leaders, irrespective of nationality, race and religion. She emphasised that this is what she is working on with the utmost dedication as an International Ambassador for Childhood Cancer for UICC.
Speaking about Sheikha Jawaher's immense efforts and contributions, Cary Adams, Chief Executive of UICC, said: " Sheikha Jawaher Al Qasimi along with the diligent and hardworking team of her brainchild the Friends of Cancer Patients Society (FoCP) launched numerous initiatives and made significant and effective contributions at both regional and international levels. We are in desperate need of effective and influential personality like Sheikha Jawaher , for capacity-building in the area of awareness and control of cancer and childhood cancer in the world." Last year, Sheikha Jawaher carried out a range of activities and visits in support of children with cancer across the world. She participated in the 11th African Conference of International Society for Paediatric Oncology, which was held last April in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, in collaboration with UICC and International Society for Paediatric Oncology. During her participation, Sheikha Jawaher Al Qasimi called for developing international strategies as an integral part of the overall programmes to control cancer and non-communicable diseases in various countries across the world, with a special focus on the low and middle income countries.
In September 2014, Sheikha Jawaher visited Presbyterian Cancer Hospital in New York where she launched her international initiative the ‘Heroes Bag'. This initiative presents children with cancer special bags containing books, toys, and other gifts that aim to bring happiness and joy into the hearts of children with cancer and help alleviate their suffering.
Sheikha Jawaher also participates in most events and activities launched by the Union of International Cancer Control throughout the year.
As a WCD International Ambassador for Paediatric Cancer, in 2013, Sheikha Jawaher Al Qasimi visited the Children's Cancer Centre of Lebanon, an affiliate of St. Jude Children's Research Hospital in the USA, where she met with patients and learned about their experiences. She presented a library that contains many choice children books to the hospital.
Through FoCP Sheikha Jawaher links the UICC childhood cancer programme with an important initiative launched by her , named 'Salam Ya Seghar', a fund which was initiated in 2010 and which is directed towards improving the education, health, and welfare of Palestinian children.
The International Childhood Cancer Day is a global collaborative campaign to raise awareness about childhood cancer, and to express support for children and adolescents with cancer, the survivors and their families. The day was first launched in 2002 and has since received indispensable global support from leading organisations and networks around the world.
Source: WAM