Georgetown in Qatar Students Raise over QR 90,000 for Breast Cancer Awareness

The Women’s Society and Development Club (WSDC) at Georgetown University School of Foreign Service in Qatar (GU-Q) recently raised over QR 90,000 at their Third Annual Breast Cancer Awareness Fundraiser. In just four hours, the club surpassed their previous year’s fundraising by nearly QR 50,000.

Twelve vendors, ranging from Sugar & Spice to Impressions Boutique, donated their goods to raise funds for cancer patients. Newly introduced this year was the auctioning of four luxury items: a 24K gold-plated iPhone 5, a special edition gold Q10 Blackberry, two Golden Roses (auctioned as a set) and two luxury Alexander McQueen clutches (auctioned as a set). The Qatar Cancer Society was on hand to collect the money raised at the 100 percent non-profit event.

Almaha Al-Hammadi (Class of 2015), co-president of WSDC, said: “I hope that people learn that this event is not meant only for women. Everyone is somehow affected by breast cancer, be it their mothers, sisters, daughters or friends. I truly hope that this event will raise more awareness about breast cancer to the entirety of Qatari society.”

“It also helps bring the youth together to participate in a worthy cause,” added Mashail Al-Malki (Class of 2015), co-president of WSDC. “Our club members did an amazing job preparing for this event and worked very well together. We hope to continue this tradition and that every year the Breast Cancer Awareness event gets bigger and better!”

After this year’s successful event, Al-Hammadi thanked the community for their attendance, donations and support. She also added a “big thank you to all the organizers from the WSDC team!”

An additional WSDC activity during Breast Cancer Awareness Month included a Hoya mascot canvas where Georgetown and Education City community members wrote inspirational messages for cancer patients.

In 2010, inspired by the diversity in the cultural backgrounds of the female students at GU-Q, several Georgetown students decided to establish the WSDC. WSDC was created as a platform for students to discuss, to embrace and to better understand the roles and challenges of being a woman. Today the club’s aims include the empowerment and education of women on various contemporary and traditional issues.WSDC also has a women’s development aspect and organizes professional workshops and leadership opportunities for club members and all GU-Q students. WSDC works in affiliation with the GU-Q Women’s Center, which is a branch of the Georgetown University Women’s Center in Washington, D.C.