U.S.-U.A.E. Partnership for Breast Cancer Awareness and Research will be launched today

The Partnership brings together organizations from the Middle East and the United States in an effort to increase breast cancer awareness, research activities, workplace education programs and support mechanisms for women in the Middle East.

The unique international public-private partnership will unite the Susan G. Komen Foundation, Johns Hopkins Medicine International, and the U.S. Department of State's Office of Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs and the Middle East Partnership Initiative. In the U.A.E., the effort has been organized under the patronage of Her Highness Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak, who has established The Higher National Committee for Breast Cancer Awareness and Research for the purpose of advancing the Partnership's vision of conquering breast cancer and promoting breast health for women throughout the Emirates. Dr. Rawda Al-Mutawa, Executive Director of the Committee, will serve as host of the launch event in Abu Dhabi. Partners in the U.A.E. include: the Higher National Committee for Breast Cancer and Research; the Dubai Business Women's Council; and Citigroup, Inc. (Citibank U.A.E.).

The activities will include two special events: the Partnership's official launch and press conference in Abu Dhabi, followed by a luncheon in Dubai sponsored by the Dubai Business Women Council. During the Dubai event, the Partnership's workplace awareness program, underwritten and to be executed by Citigroup, will be introduced. The U.S. Department of State's Under Secretary for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs, Karen Hughes, and The Honorable Nancy Brinker, founder of the Susan G. Komen Foundation, will participate in both events, each of which will include remarks by participating officials and a panel discussion on breast cancer issues.

"We are here today working together as sisters," said Under Secretary Hughes. "This partnership unites the women of the Middle East and the United States who are providing the life-saving message of early detection and are working each day to bring breast cancer awareness to their communities. This is a universal issue of importance to women and their families, and this historic partnership is significant in that it has been formed between nations in the Middle East and the United States."

The U.S.-Middle East Partnership for Breast Cancer Awareness and Research is a direct response to calls from women in the Middle East who are leading the fight against breast cancer as they seek to promote broader collaboration in research and the exchange of information on effective strategies to raise awareness of the importance of early detection and to achieve wide distribution of information about treatment options.

"The original promise that I made to my sister was to save lives and end breast cancer forever by empowering people, ensuring quality care for all, and energizing science to find the cures," commented Nancy Brinker. "This partnership is an extension of that promise and the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation hopes to help women in the UAE build the knowledge, tools and resources needed to lead the fight against breast cancer in their own communities while applying the lessons that we learn to our work in the United States and around the world."