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Dubai: An ambitious programme was launched yesterday to fight breast cancer and enhance the concept of corporate social responsibility towards those who suffer from the disease.
The ‘Making it Our Business' programme, which is in line with the US-UAE Partnership for Breast Cancer Awareness and Research was announced by the Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI) during the visit yesterday of US First lady Laura Bush. She was accompanied by Princess Haya Bint Al Hussain, Wife of His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai.
"This programme prompts us to work harder to spread awareness about fighting this disease at companies which are members of our Chamber, and to support all Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programmes in the emirate," said Obaid Humaid Al Tayer, Chairman of the DCCI.
Al Tayer stressed the chamber's interest in supporting the business community and promoting all kinds of initiatives that help enhance health and social awareness among business leaders, especially business women and other working ladies in the government and private sectors' establishments.
"In line with its commitment to support businesswomen, who represent a large spectrum of our members, Dubai Chamber praises the US First Lady's effort in spreading awareness on breast cancer fight among women in the Middle East region, and for choosing the UAE as part of her tour to promote the importance of adopting effective breast cancer awareness programmes in the Middle East," he said.
He also announced the DCCI's award for companies that have succeeded in enhancing the CSR concept and social awareness programmes among staff. He said 1.1 million women were diagnosed with breast cancer last year, compared to 500,000 women in 1975. He stressed the importance of spreading awareness in the society about breast cancer, especially in Dubai which, under the leadership of Shaikh Mohammad, is used to adopt humanitarian initiatives like ‘Dubai Cares' campaign to help poor children get better education.
Princess Haya appreciated the US First Lady's role in supporting children and spreading awareness and knowledge on breast cancer.
Bush, on her first visit to Dubai, thanked the organisers of the programme, stressing the importance of cooperation among the entities concerned to spread awareness on breast cancer.
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