• Initiative aims to memorialise the great humanitarian efforts made by the late Ameera BinKaram
• Charitable concern will provide treatment for cancer patients worldwide
• Fund open to all those who wish to make a donation to contribute to its objectives
• Jawaher Al Qasimi: Ameera BinKaram is a model of giving, sacrifice and dedication for Emirati women, the nation and the entire world
Her Highness Sheikha Jawaher bint Mohammed Al Qasimi, Wife of His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah, Founder and Royal Patron of the Friends of Cancer Patients (FoCP), International Ambassador of the World Cancer Declaration for Union for International Cancer Control (UICC), International Ambassador for Childhood Cancer for UICC and Chairperson of The Big Heart Foundation (TBHF), has launched the ‘Ameera Fund’ to support cancer patients worldwide. The gesture has been made as a tribute to the late Ameera BinKaram.
Her Highness Sheikha Jawaher Al Qasimi’s initiative comes in recognition of Ameera BinKaram’s rich contribution to humanitarian work. The move aims to memorialise her tireless compassionate efforts and to urge others to follow her voluntary and charitable approach in supporting cancer patients in the UAE and beyond.
Her Highness Sheikha Jawaher announced the donation of the first revenue to the ‘Ameera Fund’ and called on all individuals and organisations inside and outside the UAE who are interested in contributing to humanitarian causes to support the fund through donations, which will help it achieve its goals of providing treatment for cancer patients in need. Those who want to contribute to the cause can make donations through the main branch of “Sharjah Islamic Bank”, account number 0034-430430-015, IBAN AE740410000034430430015, or directly reach TBHF on +97165941283.
Her Highness underlined that Ameera BinKaram had always believed in the need to help cancer patients, especially those who cannot afford the cost treatment, which can be considerable. She worked hard to help these patients through providing treatment expenses on both the local and global level. BinKaram encouraged activate community engagement in covering the costs for cancer sufferers from her belief that a community shoulders a moral and humanitarian responsibility towards such patients wherever they are in the world.
“In recognition of Ameera BinKaram’s incredible contribution to humanitarian work, we decided to continue in achieving the noble goals that she strived for with such commitment and dedication throughout her lifetime,” HH Sheikha Jawaher said in a highly emotional statement.
The Ameera Fund will operate under the umbrella and supervision of TBHF – a Sharjah-based global humanitarian charity dedicated to helping refugees and people in need worldwide. Projects and initiatives approved by the fund will be implemented by FoCP, while the fund will generate income through donation campaigns and contributions from across the world.
Paying rich tribute to Ameera BinKaram, Her Highness Sheikha Jawaher said: “Ameera BinKaram was a humanitarian icon and a symbol of community work in Sharjah and the UAE. She was a model of giving, sacrifice and dedication for Emirati women, the nation and the entire world. She worked tirelessly to alleviate suffering and to promote a supportive environment for women’s empowerment. Her departure from this world has left a void in the lives of everyone who knew her and who had benefitted from the amazing accomplishments she attained throughout her life.”
Her Highness Sheikha Jawaher underlined that the launch of the Ameera Fund comes in recognition of Ameera BinKaram’s immense efforts to support cancer patients in the UAE and beyond through FoCP and the Pink Caravan. Both initiatives provide free treatment for patients, raise awareness about cancer and provide numerous initiatives and charity projects in Arab and foreign countries, all of which have a significant impact for beneficiaries.
Her Highness Sheikha Jawaher added: “The Ameera Fund will commemorate Ameera BinKaram’s indefatigable spirit in order carry on along the path she forged for cancer patients, as well as their relatives, who are in need. The support provided by the fund will ensure the continuance of the initiatives that BinKaram contributed to and to which she remained faithful to right up to the last day of her life.”
Sheikha Jawaher called on all individuals and organisations to support the Ameera Fund through donations and to help it achieve its humanitarian objectives of providing treatment and healthcare for cancer patients, raising awareness about the disease and encouraging all community members to undergo health examinations. TBHF, in collaboration with FoCP, implements charity projects dedicated to providing treatment for cancer patients in need around the world.
Ameera BinKaram, who passed along with her mother and sister in a fire in their home in Sharjah last week, was actively involved in humanitarian work through a series of initiatives and projects that focused on promoting awareness about cancer, fighting the disease and supporting those who suffer from it. She was also active in the empowerment of women and encouraging them to effectively participate in economic development, as well as promoting entrepreneurship, fighting non-communicable diseases (NCDs) and advocating social responsibility.
In the last years of her life, Ameera BinKaram dedicated most of her time and effort to combating cancer through FoCP, which was founded in 1999. Since its inception she led and supervised numerous initiatives and campaigns launched by FoCP to raise awareness about cancer and provide necessary treatment for patients, in addition to providing psychological and moral support for cancer patients and their families. Her work in these endeavours has contributed to improving the lives of thousands of citizens and residents in the UAE and beyond.
Ameera BinKaram worked dedicatedly to implement the vision of His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan Bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah and the directives of Her Highness Sheikha Jawaher Al Qasimi. She contributed to launching the Pink Caravan initiative in 2011 and was appointed the Chairperson of the Higher Steering Committee of the Pink Caravan Ride, which travels across the UAE dispensing health advice and free health checks. BinKaram worked devotedly over five years to manage the initiative and achieve its goals of dispelling misconceptions related to breast cancer and promoting awareness about the disease. Her efforts and dedication enabled the Pink Caravan to offer early detection examinations for more than 41,000 women and men during this short period of time.
Ameera BinKaram was able to witness the fruits of this initiative this year, with the inauguration of the mobile ‘CareVan’ clinic by His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah, Patron of the Pink Caravan. CareVan, which integrates the newest mammography technology for best accuracy of diagnosis, is supplied with the latest equipment and medical devices needed for conducting early breast cancer screening and other associated examinations.
BinKaram also attended the opening of the Sharjah Breast Care Centre – the first of its kind in the region and an affiliate of University Hospital Sharjah in partnership with Pink Caravan and Gustav Roussy Hospital. In recognition of her efforts and contributions to the fight against cancer in the UAE, she was honoured with the Excellence Award from Hospitality Management Holdings.
Ameera BinKaram also led the successful hosting of the first edition of the Global Forum on Non-Communicable Diseases under the theme ‘NCD Advocacy and Accountability in the Post-2015 Era’ in November 2015. The NCD Forum brought together 206 delegates from 173 advocacy organisations and 43 national and regional NCD Alliances. The forum, held jointly by the NCD Alliance and FoCP succeeded in developing an effective road map to combat these diseases in the Middle East and North Africa.
Throughout her career, Ameera BinKaram held several leadership positions and high-profile posts, including Vice Chairperson of Nama Women Establishment and Chairperson of the Sharjah Business Women Council, with her roles seeing her work closely with Her Highness Sheikha Jawaher Bint Mohammad Al Qasimi, wife of the Ruler of Sharjah. She also chaired the UAE Business Women, a division of the CEO Clubs Network – the world largest and oldest non-profit business networking club.
BinKaram was a member of the Olave Baden-Powell Society and the Word Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts. She was also chosen by the American Embassy in the UAE to participate in the International Visitor Leadership Program. Ameera BinKaram was selected among honorary members of the Sharjah Tatweer Forum and was also elected to the UAE Genetic Diseases Association. She was a member of several committees, including the Higher Committee of the Arab Woman Award.
In recognition of her significant contributions to supporting and empowering women professionally and economically, as well as her active involvement in charitable and humanitarian work, BinKaram was honoured by the International Alliance for Women in Washington, which bestowed her with the International Excellence Award in November 2015. She was also the first Arab woman to participate in German Bucerius Summer School. In 2012, BinKaram was honoured with the UAE’s ‘Humanitarian of the Year’ Award by the Arab Woman Award in Dubai.
The Ameera Fund is the second global cancer fund to be launched by Sheikha Jawaher Al Qasimi, who established the International Childhood Cancer Fund (ChiCa), in collaboration with the UICC. Launched in 2015, the ChiCa Fund aims to accelerate saving the lives of children who would otherwise die of cancer each year. The fund collects donations for awareness campaigns, with Sheikha Jawaher donating $1 million through TBHF as its first revenue installment. The sum will play a significant role in protecting children around the world from cancer.