FOCP pleads for donations of Zakat to help cancer-hit
Donations can be made via FOCP website, Yalla Give website, SMS and bank transfers
Friends of Cancer Patients (FOCP), a Uae-based civil society organisation dedicated to reducing the burden of cancer on community by generating awareness and offering financial support to patients in need, has renewed its appeal to individuals and organisations to contribute generously to its Zakat initiative, ‘I Deserve a Life’, whose 2021 edition was launched earlier in February.
Since 2013, FOCP’S Zakat campaign has involved community members, government bodies and private organisations to collectively raise Dhs8.9 million, which has supported the cancer treatment journeys of 1,666 patients in the UAE who cannot afford it.
The non-profit lauded the funds raised this year will enable FOCP to continue on its mission to give needy cancer patients access to chemotherapy and radiation sessions, surgeries, transplants, and medication, and also cover other expenses incurred during diagnosis and treatment.
To support the vital work done by FOCP, individuals and organisations in the UAE can choose to make a difference in the lives of people with cancer in several ways.
Online donations: To ensure that cancer patients receive the lifesaving treatment and access to care they need, make your donations directly to FOCP’S ‘I Deserve a Life’ Zakat fund via its website: htps://focp.ae/donate-zakat/
Zakat coupons: Help cancer patients through their treatment journey by purchasing Zakat coupons of Dhs10, 50,100, 500 and 1,000 at htps://focp.ae/donate-zakat/yalla Give: Harness the power of collective efforts with personal or team fundraising drive via Yalla Give, the licensed online donation and crowdfunding plaform in the UAE, on htps://yallagive.com/en/charity/ Friends-of-cancer-patients. Individuals can set up their own crowdfunding campaign and encourage family members and friends to donate while companies can encourage employees to be part of the giving movement.
SMS Donations: Save lives with a simple SMS! Message the word ‘Zakat’ to the Etisalat numbers: 2303 to donate Dh10; 2305 to donate Dh50, 2307 to donate Dhs100; or 2308 to donate Dhs500.
Bank Transfers: You may donate any amount of money to support FOCP’S mission by transferring funds to FOCP’S ‘ Zakatkm Elajohm’ local account no: 0011-364854-002 at the Sharjah Islamic Bank (International Bank Account Number ‘IBAN’: AE440410000011364854002).
Every dirham is a ray of hope: Speaking proudly about the undulating support FOCP’S Zakat campaign has received from all segments of the UAE community, Hamid Al Hamid, Programme Manager, Community Affairs at FOCP, said, “In 2020, our Zakat drive succeeded in collecting a sum of Dhs2.1 million which supported 346 patients and over the past nine years, our nation’s unparalleled generosity has ensured cancer treatment for 1,666 cancer patients who wouldn’t have been able to afford it otherwise., funding 40 chemotherapies, 07 radiotherapies, 44 medications, 10 surgeries, 20 scans, 44 medical equipment, and 1 bone marrow transplant.
“Through this year’s Zakat campaign, we aim to surpass last year’s figure. This is the reason we made our call to the community in February this year – much earlier than usual – because we need to rally stronger support for our society. We urge everyone to come forward and do their best. No contribution is too big or small; every dirham is a ray of hope in the lives of cancer patients fighting for survival;” , affirming that Zakat donations are spent under the guidelines of Islamic Sharia law.
Ater a successful run last year, FOCP is bringing its charity fitness challenge on the ‘Relay by FOCP’ smart application, back for the UAE community. Called the ‘Give & Gain 2021’ Ramadan challenge, this month-long challenge, which runs until May 4, offers a unique chance to those who want to work on their own fitness while embracing the spirit of giving associated with Ramadan.
To participate in the drive, individuals need to download the Relay by FOCP app and create their accounts. The app will then keep track of the number of steps the app’s user takes, and upon the completion of a certain number of steps, the user will be eligible to donate a specified amount to FOCP.