The Lebanese Breast Cancer Foundation (LBCF), in partnership with the Breast Center of Excellence at the Naef K. Basile Cancer Institute, donated a sum of 268.054.000 Lebanese Pounds to cover the costs of mammography, imaging, radiation therapy, surgery and chemotherapy administration of breast cancer patients in dire need and who are treated at AUBMC. The check was presented in the presence of Executive VP for Medicine and Global Strategy and Dean of the Faculty of Medicine Dr. Mohamed H. Sayegh and AUBMC Medical Center Director and Chief Medical Officer and the Naef K. Basile Cancer Institute Breast Center of Excellence (NKBCI) Medical Director, Dr. Hassan El-Solh in addition to the NKBCI faculty.
President of LBCF and Director of Breast Center of Excellence at NKBCI, AUBMC, Dr. Nagi El-Saghir, said that LBCF and NKBCI annually organize awareness and early detection campaigns during the month of October in collaboration with the Ministry of Health. They also extend their efforts throughout the year by holding lectures and meetings all over Lebanon. “In 2016, we went to Tripoli, Baalbeck, Sin-El-Fil, Achrafieh, Saida, Aley and many other places and schools. We also organized fundraising movie premieres and brunches and arranged for several agreements with various companies and stores to donate a percentage of their profits and sales to help breast cancer patients. We had donations from Al-Waleed Bin Talal Foundation, Nestle, ABC, City Mall, Chateau Musar, Virgin, GS, Malia group, Kairouz Bakeries as well as many individuals from our clinics and at our fundraising events. Other companies donated smaller amounts and we have them listed on LBCF website,” Dr. El Saghir explained.
Donations are allotted through the Social Service Department and the Needy Breast Cancer Fund at AUBMC. The 268, 054, 000 Lebanese Pounds were donated and dispensed in 2016. Since 2013, LBCF has actively supported more than 1100 breast cancer patients by covering their diagnosis, surgery, chemotherapy and radiation therapy at AUBMC with a total amount of $468.889.00 (USD). Fifty two percent of these patients were young mothers below age 50, and more than half of them lived with less than LBP 750,000 per month. Thanks to the dedication of LBCF volunteers and the generosity of donors, patients are treated with dignity and many of them are cured.
In addition, LBCF and NKBCI Breast Center of Excellence provide free natural wigs for all cancer patients on chemotherapy, as well as psychological support group sessions for breast cancer patients.
Breast cancer is a major health issue in Lebanon and the Middle East. NKBCI has been leading the way in advancing cancer therapy with ground-breaking research, continuing medical education for physicians and healthcare providers. The collaboration between NKBCI and LBCF is making a great positive impact advocating for patients’ rights and well-being, supporting underprivileged cancer patients in their treatment, and raising awareness within the Lebanese community.
On behalf of AUBMC, Dr. Mohamad Sayegh and Dr. Hassan El-Solh thanked the LBCF for the donation acknowledging the work of Dr. El Saghir, Vice-president of LBCF Ms. Mirna Hoballah and all the volunteers for their superb efforts in delivering better care to patients with breast cancer. They emphasized that AUBMC’s vision is to provide support for all patients irrespective of their financial resources, and that they will continue to make sure that AUBMC physicians are heavily and positively involved in community service and health awareness.