DUBAI // A fund-raising drive to support the cricket legend Imran Khan's cancer hospital in Pakistan is almost two-thirds of the way to its target of Dh5.1 million in donations from the UAE.
The Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital and Research Centre in Lahore has reached about 65 per cent of its goal, largely through a February charity gala that raised Dh2.3m.
"We are hopeful of meeting our target and possibly even beating it," said Rahma Yunus, the Gulf marketing manager for the hospital's charity.
"Most of our funding comes from Zakat donations during Ramadan so I'm hopeful we will be able to beat our target."
Mr Khan, the Pakistani politician and former cricket captain, set up and named the hospital in memory of his mother, who died of cancer. It was opened in 1994 and provides free cancer treatment to 80 per cent of its patients.
"We have had a fantastic response from people in the UAE to the cancer hospital, and not just from Pakistani expatriates but also people from Arab communities," said Ms Rahma.
"People realise the work the hospital does and having Imran's name associated with it gives people confidence that the money is being used in the right way to help people."
The hospital bought a new MRI scanner with the money raised at February's event at the Atlantis, The Palm hotel.
"We are planning to hold awareness events in the coming months for things like breast cancer and antismoking," Ms Rahma said.
"There is also a strong possibility that we will hold another fund-raising concert or gala in the UAE towards the end of the year."
The charity is now looking to expand to Bahrain, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia.
"There are large Pakistani expatriate communities in these countries," Ms Rahma said.
"At the moment we are going through what we would need to do in those countries in legal terms to start operations there."
nhanif@thenational.ae
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Spending an excessive amount of time on the phone.
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What are the guidelines?
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French Touch
Carla Bruni
(Verve)
David Haye record
Total fights: 32
Wins: 28
Wins by KO: 26
Losses: 4
Results for Stage 2
Stage 2 Yas Island to Abu Dhabi, 184 km, Road race
Overall leader: Primoz Roglic SLO (Team Jumbo - Visma)
Stage winners: 1. Fernando Gaviria COL (UAE Team Emirates) 2. Elia Viviani ITA (Deceuninck - Quick-Step) 3. Caleb Ewan AUS (Lotto - Soudal)
The Brutalist
Director: Brady Corbet
Stars: Adrien Brody, Felicity Jones, Guy Pearce, Joe Alwyn
Rating: 3.5/5
Analysis
Members of Syria's Alawite minority community face threat in their heartland after one of the deadliest days in country’s recent history. Read more
The bio
Academics: Phd in strategic management in University of Wales
Number one caps: His best-seller caps are in shades of grey, blue, black and yellow
Reading: Is immersed in books on colours to understand more about the usage of different shades
Sport: Started playing polo two years ago. Helps him relax, plus he enjoys the speed and focus
Cars: Loves exotic cars and currently drives a Bentley Bentayga
Holiday: Favourite travel destinations are London and St Tropez
Expo details
Expo 2020 Dubai will be the first World Expo to be held in the Middle East, Africa and South Asia
The world fair will run for six months from October 20, 2020 to April 10, 2021.
It is expected to attract 25 million visits
Some 70 per cent visitors are projected to come from outside the UAE, the largest proportion of international visitors in the 167-year history of World Expos.
More than 30,000 volunteers are required for Expo 2020
The site covers a total of 4.38 sqkm, including a 2 sqkm gated area
It is located adjacent to Al Maktoum International Airport in Dubai South
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cylinder turbo
Power: 240hp at 5,500rpm
Torque: 390Nm at 3,000rpm
Transmission: eight-speed auto
Price: from Dh122,745
On sale: now
SERIES SCHEDULE
First Test, Galle International Stadium
July 26-30
Second Test, Sinhalese Sports Club Ground
August 3-7
Third Test, Pallekele International Cricket Stadium
August 12-16
First ODI, Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium
August 20
Second ODI, Pallekele International Cricket Stadium
August 24
Third ODI, Pallekele International Cricket Stadium
August 27
Fourth ODI, R Premadasa Stadium
August 31
Fifth ODI, R Premadasa Stadium
September 3
T20, R Premadasa Stadium
September 6
Five expert hiking tips
Always check the weather forecast before setting off
Make sure you have plenty of water
Set off early to avoid sudden weather changes in the afternoon
Wear appropriate clothing and footwear
Take your litter home with you
The Bio
Ram Buxani earned a salary of 125 rupees per month in 1959
Indian currency was then legal tender in the Trucial States.
He received the wages plus food, accommodation, a haircut and cinema ticket twice a month and actuals for shaving and laundry expenses
Buxani followed in his father’s footsteps when he applied for a job overseas
His father Jivat Ram worked in general merchandize store in Gibraltar and the Canary Islands in the early 1930s
Buxani grew the UAE business over several sectors from retail to financial services but is attached to the original textile business
He talks in detail about natural fibres, the texture of cloth, mirrorwork and embroidery
Buxani lives by a simple philosophy – do good to all
A State of Passion
Directors: Carol Mansour and Muna Khalidi
Stars: Dr Ghassan Abu-Sittah
Rating: 4/5
