Canadian University of Dubai puts the ‘Fun' into Cancer Fundraising

Canadian University of Dubai (CUD) has marked the end of ‘Movember’ fund-raising campaign with a fun-packed program of activities in aid of UAE-based charity, Friends of Cancer Patients (FOCP).  

Students donned Movember moustaches at an event to mark the culmination of two months of fundraising for breast cancer and prostate cancer awareness, which saw more than AED 7000 donated to FOCP, an organization that supports patients and their families coping with the disease. 

CUD has been running cancer awareness events annually since its inception and this year’s campaign saw over 200 students participate in fundraising activities, including a bake sale, Movember bingo and a campus barbecue.

Faculty members from the School of Liberal Arts, Sylvain Tremblay and Amanda Aridi, showed their support by organizing a t-shirt design event, including one very special shirt that was framed and gifted to Friends of Cancer Patients by Shaghayegh Younis Abedi. Meanwhile, student Dima Youcef created a beautiful backdrop for a themed photo shoot where students struck a pose with a range of pink props. 
 
Receiving the donation on behalf of FCOP, Lize de Jonge expressed her gratitude for CUD’s support and encouraged everyone to get involved in future events. She also spoke about the range of internship opportunities in Marketing, PR, Journalism, Advertising, E-Business and Healthcare Management available at FOCP, allowing students to support a worthy cause while developing valuable skills and work experience.

The event also heard from Dr. Jennifer Blake from Al Zahra Medical Clinic about prostate, cervical, breast, and other cancers and their causes, effects and techniques for avoidance. Dr. Blake highlighted the impact of diet and the risk factors associated with family links in contracting the disease, emphasizing the importance of awareness and screening.

The grand finale of the event saw the ceremonial shaving of the CUD ‘Mo Bros’, who had shown their support by growing stylish moustaches throughout the month of Movember.  Staff from the Loft 5th Avenue were on hand to shave faces, and even some heads, raising more funds for a range of cancer charities.