DUBAI // When she was diagnosed with breast cancer Goolcher Navdar was determined to survive.
The mother-of-two said that while volunteering for the BurJuman Safe and Sound cancer awareness campaign in June 2011 she underwent a free mammogram and ultrasound.
“I was given a free coupon for a check up,” said the 56-year-old. “Then they discovered something on the left breast.
“I underwent a biopsy and it was confirmed I had cancer.”
Being an energy healer, Ms Navdar said she decided to channel positive thoughts into fighting cancer.
“Self-care and self-love helped me stay strong,” she said. “I also had overwhelming love from family and friends.”
The Indian expatriate said she always had a strong belief that she would come out fighting after her diagnosis.
“I felt I would start strong and knew it would not end with me dying,” she said. “My children were very scared and were very worried because I am a single parent but I knew I was just going through a test of my strength.
“I knew I would make it. I had overcome many challenges in my life and this was one more to face.”
Ms Navdar underwent lumpectomy at the American Hospital and then radiation treatment.
“I started making myself a priority and made time for myself,” she said. ”I stopped worrying about things that may not even happen.
“In this regard, cancer has even been a blessing for me on many levels.
“I just knew I had to take care of myself so I could take care of my children.
Two years ago Ms Navdar was declared cancer-free and now lives life to the full.
“I decided to to take life too seriously, spend money on myself, take vacations and have more fun and laughter.”
For others fighting cancer, Ms Navdar said the best advice is to stay strong.
“Cancer is not the end of the world,” she said. “Make positive changes, make lifestyle changes to be as healthy as can be and most importantly stay happy and cheerful.
“Look to those who have fought and won and do the same.
“Most importantly, don’t allow worry and fear to get the better of you. You have to do it yourself.
“You cannot depend on anyone else — you have to do it yourself.”
With early detection through breast cancer screening, Ms Navdar said it as essential that women were mindful to get regularly tested.
“Don’t fear check-ups. Go and act immediately on what you hear. Listen to your body.”
newsdesk@thenational.ae
How to protect yourself when air quality drops
Install an air filter in your home.
Close your windows and turn on the AC.
Shower or bath after being outside.
Wear a face mask.
Stay indoors when conditions are particularly poor.
If driving, turn your engine off when stationary.
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Mercer, the investment consulting arm of US services company Marsh & McLennan, expects its wealth division to at least double its assets under management (AUM) in the Middle East as wealth in the region continues to grow despite economic headwinds, a company official said.
Mercer Wealth, which globally has $160 billion in AUM, plans to boost its AUM in the region to $2-$3bn in the next 2-3 years from the present $1bn, said Yasir AbuShaban, a Dubai-based principal with Mercer Wealth.
“Within the next two to three years, we are looking at reaching $2 to $3 billion as a conservative estimate and we do see an opportunity to do so,” said Mr AbuShaban.
Mercer does not directly make investments, but allocates clients’ money they have discretion to, to professional asset managers. They also provide advice to clients.
“We have buying power. We can negotiate on their (client’s) behalf with asset managers to provide them lower fees than they otherwise would have to get on their own,” he added.
Mercer Wealth’s clients include sovereign wealth funds, family offices, and insurance companies among others.
From its office in Dubai, Mercer also looks after Africa, India and Turkey, where they also see opportunity for growth.
Wealth creation in Middle East and Africa (MEA) grew 8.5 per cent to $8.1 trillion last year from $7.5tn in 2015, higher than last year’s global average of 6 per cent and the second-highest growth in a region after Asia-Pacific which grew 9.9 per cent, according to consultancy Boston Consulting Group (BCG). In the region, where wealth grew just 1.9 per cent in 2015 compared with 2014, a pickup in oil prices has helped in wealth generation.
BCG is forecasting MEA wealth will rise to $12tn by 2021, growing at an annual average of 8 per cent.
Drivers of wealth generation in the region will be split evenly between new wealth creation and growth of performance of existing assets, according to BCG.
Another general trend in the region is clients’ looking for a comprehensive approach to investing, according to Mr AbuShaban.
“Institutional investors or some of the families are seeing a slowdown in the available capital they have to invest and in that sense they are looking at optimizing the way they manage their portfolios and making sure they are not investing haphazardly and different parts of their investment are working together,” said Mr AbuShaban.
Some clients also have a higher appetite for risk, given the low interest-rate environment that does not provide enough yield for some institutional investors. These clients are keen to invest in illiquid assets, such as private equity and infrastructure.
“What we have seen is a desire for higher returns in what has been a low-return environment specifically in various fixed income or bonds,” he said.
“In this environment, we have seen a de facto increase in the risk that clients are taking in things like illiquid investments, private equity investments, infrastructure and private debt, those kind of investments were higher illiquidity results in incrementally higher returns.”
The Abu Dhabi Investment Authority, one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, said in its 2016 report that has gradually increased its exposure in direct private equity and private credit transactions, mainly in Asian markets and especially in China and India. The authority’s private equity department focused on structured equities owing to “their defensive characteristics.”
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Dirham Stretcher tips for having a baby in the UAE
Selma Abdelhamid, the group's moderator, offers her guide to guide the cost of having a young family:
• Buy second hand stuff
They grow so fast. Don't get a second hand car seat though, unless you 100 per cent know it's not expired and hasn't been in an accident.
• Get a health card and vaccinate your child for free at government health centres
Ms Ma says she discovered this after spending thousands on vaccinations at private clinics.
• Join mum and baby coffee mornings provided by clinics, babysitting companies or nurseries.
Before joining baby classes ask for a free trial session. This way you will know if it's for you or not. You'll be surprised how great some classes are and how bad others are.
• Once baby is ready for solids, cook at home
Take the food with you in reusable pouches or jars. You'll save a fortune and you'll know exactly what you're feeding your child.
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