Models walk the ramp to raise funds for cancer patients

By Noimot Olayiwola/Staff Reporter

The Youth Company yesterday showcased the creations of Libyan fashion designer Fatima Ghanem during the Al Amal Charity Fashion show, which was expected to raise up to QR40,000 in support of cancer patients in Qatar and the National Centre for Cancer Care and Research (NCCCR), formerly known as Al Amal Hospital.

The event featured a collection of abayas and koftans designed by Ghanem, who draws inspiration from the ’60s and Libyan fashion. The funds collected at the event, which was also a bid to raise awareness about cancer, will be donated to NCCCR through Qatar Charity.

In all, a total of 12 abayas and six koftans, priced from QR700 for the auction, were showcased by models on the ramp during the event dubbed The Soul of the 60s.

A collection of photographs and paintings donated by local photographers and painters were also auctioned.

Funds were further realised from the sale of tickets, which cost QR50 each. All the 400 tickets were sold out.

“Despite the fact that we don’t have abaya as part of women’s fashion in Libya, I still decided to do fashion designing that specialises in clothing similar to the abaya.

“I also named my business ‘Fufi Stylist Abaya’ because making unique dresses is my passion. And I like to introduce something different from the regular abaya, especially for the Gulf, notably Qatar and the UAE,” Ghanem told journalists after the fashion show hosted by the Aspire Zone.

She said her passion was to help people in need, especially those suffering from diseases like cancer. “I know about people who are affected by cancer in Libya, in my family and even here in Qatar. I felt like doing something to help them, then I thought of how I can use my talent to impact people’s lives positively.

“So the idea of holding a charity event for fundraising came to my mind,” said Ghanem, who took a keen interest in stitching since childhood.

The designer, who is planning to open a Doha branch of her label by end of this year, presently has two branches located in Tripoli and Benghazi. She has been residing in Doha for around three years now.

One of the special guests on the occasion, Libyan ambassador to Qatar Munsi F el-Buri, who lost his 25-year-old daughter to cancer while the revolution was going on, praised the efforts of the designer and urged all Libyans outside the country to represent the ‘new’ Libya in good image.

Making a speech at the event, Fiona Bonas, director of National Cancer Programme at the Supreme Council of Health (SCH), spoke about the Qatar National Cancer Strategy and other initiatives aimed at providing care for cancer patients in the country.

“The government is aiming to give the best healthcare services to people and we are also raising awareness about signs and symptoms of cancer in order to make sure that young people are aware about the disease because we know that they can have certain influence on their parents as well,” Bonas added.

The official stressed the importance of seeking early medical attention and the need to tackle the menace of cancer head-on.

Rajaa Hammoud, assistant executive director, NCCCR Nursing Services, pointed out that most of the cancer cases seen at the Centre are always at the advanced stage thus highlighting lack of awareness about early diagnosis and treatment in preventing the disease. “Though Qatar has one of the lowest figures in cancer cases in the Middle East and even in the world, the incidence of breast cancer is high.

“However, we need to make efforts to control the disease and eradicate it from the country,” she said while noting that quitting smoking, a habit which is a major cause of lung cancer, will help in the fight against the disease.

The official also advised on cutting down on junk and processed food and instead cultivate the habit of healthy eating and exercising as a means of combating cancer.

Aya Abu Issa, acting chief executive officer, The Youth Company, said: “We are always proud to support young talented people to realise their ideas, which aim to create positive impact in society.

“We are especially honoured to partner with various government institutions, public and private companies and organisations, who helped us on the path of developing youth and addressing community needs.

“This Charity Fashion Show was the first event we realised within Al Amal Cancer Awareness Campaign and we invite you to get involved in further activities.”

Mohamed Farid,  founder and chairman, The Youth Company, mentioned that the charity fashion show was an initiative of the designer and the Youth Company.

He also mentioned that the event was part of the year-long activities being planned by the organisation that presently boasts of around 36,000 youths, aged below 29 years from 82 different nationalities.

The highlight of the event was a musical serenade by a young singer Katrina.