H.E. Sheikha Lubna to open Oil Barons Ball 2009

In addition to being the Minister for Foreign Trade in the UAE, she is also Founding Board of Trustees member for the Oil Barons Ball's official charity, Friends of Cancer Patients (FOCP), which helps to lessen the burden on cancer patients and their families as well as providing education and conducting research

Sheikha Lubna will speak on behalf of the charity and welcome the 2,500 guests from all sectors of the energy industry to the annual event, which will see the crowning of the Oil Baron 2009.

H.E.Sheikha Lubna Bint Khalid Al Qasimi from FOCP, said: "The Oil Barons Ball is a staple social event here in the UAE and at Friends of Cancer Patients we are delighted to be the event's official charity. It is my pleasure to be present on the night to open the event and to speak about the work of the charity and our gratitude at the generosity of the guests and organisers."

Eileen Michael, founder of the Oil Barons Ball and managing director of organisers Reflex Publishing, said:

"We are thrilled to have the Oil Barons Ball 2009 officially opened by Sheikha Lubna Bint Khalid Al Qasimi and we hope to raise even more money for FOCP this year. The support, through prizes for the auction and donations, has been overwhelming and we are sure that our generous guests will dig deep in their pockets on the night for such a worthwhile cause."

Last year, FOCP became the official charity of the Oil Barons Ball with over Dhs350,000 raised. Proceeds go to help patients and their families. Last year,11-year-old Mustafa Jabar, who suffers from leukemia, was presented with a brand new car so that he and his family will be able to make the long journey from Sharjah to Al Ain for treatment quicker and easier. This year the aim of the organisers is to raise over Dhs500,000 and help FOCP to support as many families as possible.

As the official charity of the event, all money donated and made from the charity auction on the night will be given to FOCP. Auction items include a five-night stay at a luxury four-bed villa in the Karma Samui Resort in Thailand complete with a welcome hamper, personal chef for two nights, airport pick up and return, daily maid service, one-day car rental to name but a few.

Also up for grabs is a stunning Pictanda pendant made from white oval Australian Pearls and set in 18kt white gold with a total of 0.27carat of diamonds, a round of golf at Emirates Golf Club, a Jukebox courtesy of Jukebox Gallery, a set of golf clubs from Nike as used by Tiger Woods and a pampering session from SensAsia Spa.