Thousands participate in Big Breakfast campaign at DM

The charity event was organized as the first of a series by Mohammed Bin Rashid Program for Leadership Development at three venues, the main building of the Municipality, DM Al Towar Centre and Children's City. The fund collected through the event will go to "Emirates Free of Thalassemia 2012" programme.

Around 1000 people participated in the campaign, supported by Mr. Baker and Burger King, by buying a variety of foodstuff displayed at the main entrance area of the Municipality, the DM Al Towar Centre and the Children's City.

The campaign organizers hoped to collect Dhs1 million to contribute to Thalassemia patients and their families. The organizers said they plan to make the campaign an annual event and a centre will be established to finance Thalassemia research in the country.

The event assumes high importance in the Middle East due to the presence of a big number of Thalassemia patients among the UAE nationals. Research indicates that the percentage of Thalassemia carriers among the UAE population has reached 5%.

In addition to distribution of foodstuff, Children's City at the Creek Park organized a lecture about Thalassemia in collaboration with the Ministry of Health to raise awareness. Brochures regarding the disease were also distributed at the Children's City.

Khalid Magazine took part in the campaign by organizing fun activities for the visitors at Creek Park and by providing snacks at the Municipality head quarters.

Obeid Salem Al Shamsi, Assistant Director General for Administrative and General Services Affairs inaugurated the event in Al Towar Center for students in the presence of Khalid Ali Bin Zayed, Director of Municipality Centres Department.

Besides Dubai Municipality, many other establishments that included Dubai Roads and Transport Authority, Dubai Courts, Dubai Economic Development Department, Asma Bint Nuaman School, Al Alfiya School, Automatic Restaurant, Qaiser Restaurant and Sindbad Restaurant participated the Big Breakfast campaign.