Carpetland auction raises AED 229,000 for Friends of Cancer Patients

Sharjah - 8 June 2011

Carpetland, part of the Al Aqili Furnishings Group, collected a total of AED 229,433 for charity during an exclusive gala dinner and live auction held at the Dubai Creek Golf and Yacht Club. The funds were raised in aid of Friends of Cancer Patients (FOCP), a charitable, volunteer-based foundation operating under the umbrella of the Supreme Council for Family Affairs in Sharjah. 

FOCP was announced as Carpetland’s official charity earlier this year and funds raised as part of the Carpetland Monthly Open tournaments – amounting to AED 84,725 – were handed over to HE Ms Ameera Bin Karam, President of Friends of Cancer Patients at the event.

Speaking on the occasion, Bin Karam said: “It is a pleasure to be amongst friends and supporters at tonight's event in support of cancer patients residing within the UAE. FOCP is on a mission, with your aid, to raise awareness and provide the necessary support for cancer patients of every gender, age and race within the UAE.

“In April, the UAE witnessed the success of our Pink Caravan breast cancer awareness campaign. After screening a record-breaking 1600 women and men within 10 days, the pink movement empowered the public and spurred on decision-makers to make a difference in the community in order to bring about positive change and productive outcomes in the national breast cancer screening program. Through the Pink Caravan, apart from securing a state of the art mobile screening van, we are seeking to raise funds to equip over 30 medical clinics within the rural areas of the UAE, with screening devices to help promote awareness and early detection.”

At the gala dinner, which signalled the end of another successful season of the Carpetland Monthly Open (CMO), Al Aqili Furnishing’s Group Marketing Director Shahriar Khodjasteh, said: “This evening is the culmination of eight wonderful years since the CMO first started. We have come a long way since then, and we look forward to continuing this event with even more success. This year, of course, the event has taken on an added significance as we strived to pursue a more noble cause through our association with the Friends of Cancer Patients charity organization.”

In an effort to raise additional funds in support of FOCP and its charitable activities, Carpetland organized a live auction on the night with the most coveted item being the Pro-Am spot in the finest golf tournament in the Middle East, The Dubai World Championship.

Said Khodjasteh: “I am proud to announce that Carpetland will be the Official Golden Ticket Partner of the Emirates Airline Invitational 2011 presented by Abdullah Al Naboodah. As part of our sponsorship of the event, FOCP will be one of three charity organizations that will be named as beneficiaries. In addition, we were able to get a much coveted spot – which is not an easy task – to auction off for one of you to play in the Invitational!”

The live auction raised AED 144,708 – with the Emirates Airline Invitational Pro-Am spot fetching AED 48000 – in support of the FOCP.

Said Bin Karam: “At Friends of Cancer Patients, we seek to work with stakeholders within the community to provide access to early detection services and to offer support to those in need. With this inspiring fundraising initiative Al Aqili Furnishings has established itself as a role model for other private entities to follow. I want to thank the Al Aqili Group, as well as every participant, for supporting us to sustain the lives of cancer patients and outlive their battle against cancer.”

FOCP was established in 1999 in accordance with the directives and under the patronage of Her Highness Sheikha Jawaher Bint Mohammed AI Qasimi, Chairperson of the Supreme Council for Family Affairs and Wife of His Highness Dr. Sheikh Sultan Bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Ruler of Sharjah and Member of the Supreme Council. The society's objectives are to provide moral, financial, emotional and medical support for cancer patients while aiming to create a wide spread awareness about cancer, early detection and prevention within the UAE community.