Vodafone Qatar has joined hands with the Qatar Cancer Society (QCS) to support the charity’s efforts to treat cancer patients and raise awareness and education about the disease.
In additional to helping the QCS fund cancer treatment for those patients who otherwise cannot afford it, Vodafone Qatar will use its “significant following on social media to increase alertness about the importance of early detection”, the telecommunications company has said in a statement.
Vodafone will also continue to run its yearly cancer awareness session for its employees in partnership with the QCS.
The announcement coincided with World Cancer Day.
World Cancer Day is marked on February 4 every year, and is a global observance that helps raise individuals’ recognition of cancer and how to prevent, detect and treat it.
The day aims to save millions of preventable deaths each year by also educating people about the disease.
Vodafone Qatar chief executive Sheikh Hamad Abdulla al-Thani said: “Vodafone Qatar’s backing of the important work that the Qatar Cancer Society does to support, empower and advocate for people living with cancer, forms part of our continuously expanding corporate social responsibility.”
“It reaffirms our commitment to the citizens and residents of Qatar, helping raise awareness of the disease and put this crucial cause in full focus,” he added. 
“The private sector shoulders a huge responsibility to the community it operates in and we will continue to do all that is in our means to give back,” al-Thani pointed out.
QCS chairman Sheikh Dr Khalid bin Jabor al-Thani thanked Vodafone Qatar for its continual backing of the Society.
He said: “It is wonderful to see this large support by all institutions operating in Qatar. Increasing awareness and introducing educational activities spotlighting the disease is profoundly important.
“Additionally, there is an urgent need for partnerships aimed at working regularly on cancer control, which is, above all, a charitable and a humanitarian act, as well as a duty and a commitment to the Qatari population.”
In 2020, Qatar Cancer Society helped treat 1,350 patients at a cost of QR19.5mn, and this number is expected to rise to 1,500 patients in 2021, requiring QR22mn in funding, the statement adds.
For more information on the Qatar Cancer Society’s work and cancer support resources in Qatar, one can visit www.qcs.qa or call 44847777.
Related Story