Alaa Ali Ahmed Qasem
ABU DHABI

“My vision is to build a large network of volunteers, doctors, specialists, hospitals, sponsors, and others who work all together for one purpose: Support and give hope to women with breast cancer and spread awareness to all other women. This will be achieved by finding practical solutions to all the barriers that women in my country face because they are not able to pay for their treatment and do not know where to go for regular care”.

Occupation: Teacher, Al Bateen Scientific Private School; Student, Math and Science Education Program, Abu Dhabi University

Motivation to join the Komen Global Initiative: After learning about the Course for the Cure™ from a counselor at her university, Alaa joined the Komen Global Initiative with the desire to serve society and help others. She believes, “by doing this I feel that my life has more value and meaning”. Alaa saw the Course for the Cure as her opportunity to gain the knowledge about breast cancer she needs to begin her mission to help others in society.

More about Alaa:
Alaa describes herself as “Ambitious. I see no limits to my abilities and I have many dreams and hopes”. Alaa’s ambition is exactly what has contributed to her broad range of accomplishments. At age 17 Alaa memorized the entire Holy Quran, and today she teaches 200 six and seven year olds how to use computers. Alaa is originally from a family of 7, but this doesn’t keep her from wanting to stand out by owning her own business, playing sports, writing poetry, and encouraging the growth of the volunteer movement for breast cancer in her community. “In this region many people don’t realize the importance of volunteer work…once they start, they will love it and hold on to it!”

“You can’t persuade people if you yourself are not motivated. You need to be educated and have all the information about breast cancer you can so you are able to raise awareness. Then you can finally persuade others.”        

Occupation: Student, Nursing Program, Abu Dhabi University: Fatima College of Health Sciences

Motivation to join the Komen Global Initiative: Dana joined the Komen Global Initiative for the same reasons she chose to go into school for nursing, to help people. She saw the Course for the Cure™ as an opportunity to learn more tools as a nurse to address breast cancer, raise awareness, and increase the number of breast cancer survivors. Even though all of Course for the Cure was new information to Dana she said she learned most about how a team is created and the challenges they will face in attempting to raise breast cancer awareness in her community.

Arwa Mohammed Musab Masri
ABU DHABI

“Using TV is the most effective way to show the community how serious this issue is. TV is available in every home. Different ages, nationalities & levels of education are all watching it, so why don't we use it as a way to deliver the message?”

Occupation: Student, Nursing program, Abu Dhabi University: Fatima College of Health Sciences

Motivation to join the Komen Global Initiative: Arwa describes breast cancer as an issue for all females as well as a chance for women to help one another. She believes breast cancer is a huge topic that cannot be ignored anymore, and especially not by women themselves. “We should all work on it so that we can save lives for many; sisters, mothers, daughters, and even ourselves”. Arwa’s experiences during Course for the Cure™ have inspired her to make a plan with the other women in her group, and at her university, to put their resources into action and start making a difference through continuing education.

Khulood Saeed Bin Sumaidaa
ABU DHABI

“You will think I am crazy because if I had $1 million I would give it to the people that need money to reach their dreams. I don't need anything to reach my dreams it is in my hand.” 

Occupation: Student, Marketing program, Abu Dhabi University

Motivation to join the Komen Global Initiative: As a student of marketing, Khulood is sensitive to the messages and information required to reach a targeted audience and raise awareness about a disease such as breast cancer. Khulood found out about Course for the Cure™ through a lecturer at her university and joined with the intention to understand the disease for herself, but also to help others work to survive breast cancer.