Embassy of Lebanon, QCS join hands to support CCCL
THE Lebanese Embassy in Qatar, in cooperation with Qatar Cancer Society (QCS) and Children’s Cancer Centre of Lebanon (CCCL), organised an event named ‘Just Thanks’. The aim of the event was to provide access to quality treatment and muchneeded support to children and adolescents with cancer in Lebanon as well as the wider region.
Around 300 guests attended the charity dinner that was held at the Lebanese Embassy in Doha in the presence of Lebanese Ambassador to Qatar HE Farah Berri, Chairman of Qatar Cancer Society Sheikh Dr Khaled bin Jabor Al Thani, CCCL Chairperson Joseph Asseily and Nadim Gemayel, a Lebanese politician.
In her speech, HE Farah Berri thanked the Amir of the State of Qatar His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, for his continuous support to Lebanon. She also thanked Her Highness Sheikha Moza bint Nasser who was honoured in 2010 to visit the Children’s Cancer Centre in Lebanon.
She also thanked the event attendees and officials in the
State of Qatar, headed by Minister of Social Development and Family HE Maryam bint Ali bin Nasser Al-Misned, Chairman and Founder of Qatar Cancer Society Dr. Sheikh Khalid bin Jabor Al-Thani and Acting Director of the International Cooperation Department Maha Hamad Al-Attiyah.
“Humanity and giving are not new to the State of Qatar and its kind people, and nothing is better than our meeting today to unify our efforts for help. It is a great honour for me to be part of this tremendous humanitarian work, especially since we are all aware of the negative physical and psychological impact of cancer on the elderly and even the children who suffer from it”, she said.
At the end of her speech, she once again thanked Joseph Asseily, Nadim Gemayel, and members of the wider Lebanese community in Doha, for supporting the event.
His Excellency Sheikh Dr. Khaled bin Jabor Al Thani thanked HE the Ambassador of Lebanon in Qatar and all the honourable attendees, stressing the keenness of QCS to participate in all initiatives that achieve its vision to be the community partnership platform for making Qatar a leader in cancer prevention by working with its partners to educate the community and to support, empower and advocate for individuals living with cancer.
“QCS is a member of the Union for International Cancer Control (UICC), one of the largest international institutions, which requires QCS to have more responsibilities and tasks to remain an active member in this global platform,” HE added.
Joseph Asseily, expressed everyone’s and especially the patients’ and parents’ appreciation of the guests for their support. He said that CCCL is currently supporting almost 50% of all children and adolescents with cancer in Lebanon adding that despite the challenges over the past three years, CCCL has increased its capacity by 60% to cope with the increased need, which requires an amount of $15 million. The centre also provides various psychosocial support programmes catering to the well-being of the patients and their family members through all stages of treatment. He also thanked the Lebanese Ambassador to Qatar HE Farah Berri, Qatar Cancer Society President Sheikh Dr. Khalid bin Jabor Al Thani and WHO representative Dr. Rayana Bou Haka for their continuous support of the centre.
“In addition to our outreach call for help, we are preparing a telethon with the big supporter of CCCL’s mission, Marcel Ghanem, for the coming September to help us raise donations to save the children’s lives,” he added.
The event also featured a panel discussion moderated by CCCL General Manager Hana Chaar Choueib.
The panellists included CCCL Member of the Executive Committee and the Board of Trustees Paul Edde, Founder and Chairman of Qatar Cancer Society HE Sheikh Dr. Khalid bin Jabor Al Thani, WHO representative for the WHO country office in the State of Qatar Dr. Rayana Bou Haka, Bernard Diab and Raymond Geara.
The guests appreciated Mariam Murr’s testimony, where she shared how she battled cancer at the age of four and a half years and how she conquered it thanks to CCCL. Now, almost nine years later, Mariam is 13 years old and will always be grateful to all who stood by her side in this arduous journey, specifying that CCCL will always be in her heart.
Celebrity artists Evan and Bashir took the stage with beautiful violin and piano shows, entertaining the attendees, followed by a live band entertainment and Fairuziyat.