Thursday, June 12, 2008

Jordan: Advocates participate in breast cancer awareness event

AMMAN (JT) - Women advocates representing the Jordan Breast Cancer Programme this week participated in the Susan G. Komen’s National Race for the Cure on the National Mall, together with participants from Saudi Arabia and the UAE under the US – Middle East Partnership for Breast Cancer Awareness and Research.

The Jordanian women representatives experienced firsthand the magnitude of awareness and commitment to improving women's health that has been generated in the US by Komen for the Cure, according to a statement released by the Jordanian embassy in Washington, DC.

The partnership, through the support of the US Department of State’s Middle East Partnership Initiative (MEPI) and Susan G. Komen for the Cure, hosted the "Taking Action on Advocacy" meeting for the women.

The female leaders and activists learned how to build upon their efforts to create breast cancer advocacy strategies and sustainable programmes like that of Komen for the Cure.

The Jordanian participants, who are working to promote and expand the Jordan Breast Cancer Programme, include Ghada Al Bakkar, a social worker at the Jordanian Association for Family Planning and Protection, Eman Altheeb, a volunteer for two years with the National Community Service Corporation in Jordan, Duaa Fawaeier, a master’s student at Yarmouk University, Nisreen Qatamish, project officer for the National AIDS Programme at the Ministry of Health, and Enas Younis, a legal counsellor with one of the most active NGOs in Zarqa, the Family Guidance and Awareness Centre.

In partnership with the US-Middle East Partnership for Breast Cancer Awareness and Research, the Jordanian embassy in Washington, DC co-hosted a dinner for the Middle Eastern participants as a show of support for their commitment and tireless efforts in their countries to overcome social barriers in order to raise awareness among women, young people and local communities about breast cancer.

The Jordan Breast Cancer Programme is a nationwide initiative for the development and provision of comprehensive services for the early detection and screening of breast cancer for all women in the Kingdom.

It was established under the directive of the Health Ministry and includes various stakeholders in the health sector and international health organisations.

These include the King Hussein Cancer Foundation and Centre, the World Health Organisation, the Royal Medical Services, the the University of Jordan, the Hashemite University, King Abdullah I Hospital, USAID’s Private Sector Project for Women’s Health and the Private Hospitals Association.

-- The Jordan Times

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