Breast Cancer Awareness Month at AUD

Dubai, UAE: The American university in Dubai (AUD) Health Center, in collaboration with the Peer Health Educators students club, is organizing a series of events and activities on campus to raise awareness about breast cancer during the month of October. Funds raised at AUD will benefit Brest Friends in partnership with Al Jalila Foundation, helping to support breast cancer treatment for UAE-based patients and breast cancer research in the UAE. For the last 10 years, Brest Friends have run the only breast cancer support group in Dubai. They partnered with Al Jalila Foundation in 2015 to promote early detection of breast cancer, facilitate medical treatment and, most importantly, set up and fund locally-based research into the epidemiology of breast cancer in the UAE. Al Jalila Foundation was established by H.H. Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates, and Ruler of Dubai in April 2013, to position Dubai and the UAE at the forefront of medical innovation. Dr. Houriya Kazim, Breast Surgeon and Founder and CEO of Brest Friends, comments that “October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month and, despite all the pretty pink ribbons, the thought of this disease can strike fear in the bravest of women.” She explains that even “though ‘awareness’ of breast cancer has gone up, actual ‘knowledge’ about the disease has not. These popular efforts lull the public into a false sense that adequate progress is being made. In order to take meaningful action, we need to educate, not just raise awareness.” “Our goal at Brest Friends, in partnership with the Al Jalila Foundation, is a call to action for funds, for research, for accurate information, for prevention, for a cure! During this month of Breast Cancer Awareness make sure you and your loved ones take advantage of this testing and stay up to date,” urges Dr. Kazim. Throughout the month, educational information related to breast cancer, self-examination and early detection will be distributed to the AUD Community by the Health Center and PHE Club. As for fundraising activities include bake sales and live cooking stations, the formation of a human pink ribbon, and a friendly soccer game between students and professors. AUD Health Center Director, Mrs. Nelly Halabi comments, “we have a mission and responsibility to not only raise as much awareness about breast cancer as possible but also to educate as many as possible, as it can happen to anyone, symptoms are not painful, and even at a young age, girls should be informed and understand the importance of early detection. We are proud to be working with Brest Friends and Al Jalila Foundation in this collective effort.” The Peer Health Educator is a group of trained AUD students who are effective in helping others make healthier choices and help create positive social norms and the foundation of significant mass supporting health campus environments. Members of PHE work closely with professionals, serving as a resource for guidance, training and referral.

via http://www.edarabia.com/132374/breast-cancer-awareness-month-at-aud/