Sharjah: Recognising the contribution of humanitarian activist Ameera Bin Karam, who died in a fire accident last week, a fund was launched on Saturday in her memory to help cancer patients.
The Ameera Fund was launched by Shaikha Jawaher Bint Mohammad Al Qasimi, wife of His Highness Dr Shaikh Sultan Bin Mohammad Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah.
The gesture comes as a tribute to Bin Karam, who was chairperson of Sharjah Business Women Council since 2010 and the founding member and president of Friends of Cancer Patients (FOCP), a cancer society established in 1999. She died on October 22 when a fire broke out at her villa in Sharjah. Her mother and sister also died in the accident.
Shaikha Jawaher launched the fund by making the first donation and called on all individuals and organisations who are interested in contributing to humanitarian causes to participate.
The donations will be used to provide treatment for cancer patients in need.
The donations can be made through the main branch of Sharjah Islamic Bank, account number 0034-430430-015, IBAN AE740410000034430430015, or directly reach the fund on +97165941283.
Shaikha Jawaher underlined that Ameera had always believed in the need to help cancer patients, especially those who cannot afford the cost of treatment, which can be considerable.
“In recognition of Ameera Bin Karam’s incredible contribution to humanitarian work, we decided to continue achieving the noble goals that she strived for with such commitment and dedication throughout her lifetime,” said Shaikha Jawaher, launching the fund.
The Ameera Fund will operate under the umbrella and supervision of The Big Heart Foundation — a Sharjah-based global humanitarian charity dedicated to helping refugees and people in need worldwide.
Paying rich tribute to the late activist, Shaikha Jawaher said: “Ameera Bin Karam was a humanitarian icon and a symbol of community work in Sharjah and the UAE. She was a model of giving, sacrifice and dedication for Emirati women, the nation and the entire world. She worked tirelessly to alleviate suffering and to promote a supportive environment for women’s empowerment. Her departure from this world has left a void in the lives of everyone who knew her and who had benefited from the amazing accomplishments she attained throughout her life.”
She added: “The Ameera Fund will commemorate Ameera Bin Karam’s indefatigable spirit in order to carry on along the path she forged for cancer patients, as well as their relatives, who are in need. The support provided by the fund will ensure the continuance of the initiatives that Bin Karam contributed to and to which she remained faithful right up to the last day of her life.”
She called on individuals and organisations to support the fund through donations and to help it achieve its humanitarian objectives of providing treatment and health care for cancer patients, raising awareness about the disease and encouraging all community members to undergo health examinations.
