dubai festival city sponsors “steps for arthritis” walkathon
Emirates Arthritis Foundation Teams Up with Dubai Festival City
To Improve the Lives of Arthritis Patients
Under the Patronage of HRH Princess Haya Bint Al Hussein, Wife of HH Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of UAE, Ruler of Dubai. The Emirates Arthritis Foundation in cooperation with Dubai Festival City recently announced the launch of the “Steps for Arthritis” Walkathon on Friday, November 23rd, aimed to benefit the Emirates Arthritis Foundation (EAF), an establishment whose purpose is to increase awareness and education about arthritis in the region and improve the quality of life for arthritis patients through leadership in the prevention, control and cure of the disease.
With HRH Princess Haya as the Foundation's Honorary Patron, the EAF was launched in April of 2006 in an effort to make a tangible difference to the lives of arthritis sufferers in the UAE.
"We can really make a difference in the lives of patients who need our help to obtain vital treatment. The donations collected today will immensely contribute to improving the quality of life of arthritis patients who will continue to suffer in the absence of treatment," commented Suzanne Al Houby, Vice-Chairperson of the EAF Board of Directors on behalf of all Board members and the CEO of the Dubai Bone and Joint Center, the umbrella organization of the EAF.
Funds raised will go towards the EAF operated Endowment Fund which will help and treat patients who cannot afford the appropriate healthcare services they need. This fund pays for the diagnosis, testing and treatment with medications, or surgery as determined by the EAF. The EAF is currently supporting 10 patients up to a cost of AED 70, 000 per patient per year.
By jointly working with the EAF, Dubai Festival City aims to increase public awareness about this potentially crippling condition and to contribute to education initiatives that can further combat the disease.
“We are delighted to collaborate with the EAF for this cause, and we hope that our efforts will inspire others to participate in this charitable event” commented Tom Miles, Senior General Manager Retail, Dubai Festival City. “Arthritis is a burden that many bear today, our goal is to ease that burden for those people and their families, by providing means to accommodate their medical needs” he concluded.
A registration counter is available at the Festival Centre until November 22nd, being manned daily from 3pm to 10pm. Participants can also register on the day of the walk, between 8am to 9am.
Together with presenting sponsor, Dubai Festival City, the event is also supported by Rivoli, Arwa, Anlene and Roche.
