The King Hussein Cancer Foundation celebrates the graduation of Back To School Program participants

Under the patronage of HRH Princess Dina Mired, Director General of the King Hussein Cancer Foundation (KHCF), the Foundation and King Hussein Cancer Center (KHCC) celebrated on Monday the graduation of 67 patients from the Back to School Program who completed the 2010/2011 academic year without any disruptions.

Attending the ceremony at KHCC were representatives from the Ministry of Education, Al Nisr Al Arabi Insurance Company, Jordan River Foundation (JRF) and Sweilem Rihani, the university student who won a prize from the 2009 Ahl Al Himmeh national initiative, which was launched by Her Majesty Queen Rania Al-Abdullah and implemented by JRF.

Sweilem donated JD 30,000 - the total amount of his Ahl Al Himmeh prize - for the benefit of the Foundation’s Back to School Program.  It is worth mentioning that for the past two years Al Nisr Al Arabi Insurance Company has sponsored the Program and will continue to do so for the next three years.

During the ceremony, Princess Dina congratulated the parents on the graduation of their children from the 2010/2011 Back To School Program, and extended her gratitude to Al Nisr Al Arabi for sponsoring the Program over the past two years. Her Highness then highlighted the importance of the Program in giving young patients the chance to continue their education while undergoing prolonged cancer treatment at the Center.

Princess Dina added, "This is one of the most constructive programs at KHCF. Not only does the treatment of pediatric cancer patients create a major concern for parents, but also ensuring that their education will not be forsaken while receiving treatment remains another challenge. For this reason, the Back to School Program was created to provide the opportunity for our young cancer patients to complete their education at KHCC while receiving treatment."

Princess Dina noted that the Program alleviated parents’ stress over their children’s’ future while boosting young patients with vigor and hope for a bright future. This year, 67 students were able to complete their studies through the Program. In addition, six children with special needs were transferred to special needs schools upon completing their treatment at the Center. Furthermore, three patients were able to sit for their Tawjihi exams at the Center.

Ibrahim Salman, a cancer survivor, presented a heartfelt speech during the ceremony. He talked about his own battle with cancer and the role of KHCF and the King Hussein Cancer Center (KHCC) in supporting young cancer patients and enabling them to continue their education during treatment, giving them hope to pursue their endeavors, and especially in helping him complete his Tawjihi exams a few years ago.

He then added, "The disease did not affect my academic achievement; for education is the most important thing a person can do to ensure a secure and decent life. Today, I’m a fourth year student at the Hashemite University. Despite the many health complications I have suffered from, my name is on the University’s honor list for the second time, and God willing, I will graduate at the end of this semester."

Mr. Yacoub Sabella, General Manager of Al Nisr Al Arabi, stated, "It is our pleasure to contribute to the Back to School Program that is hosted by KHCF. This unique Program permits our dear young cancer patients who receive treatment at KHCC to continue their studies without any interruptions, thereby enhancing their confidence and hope in a better future. This in turn enables us at Al Nisr Al Arabi to light a candle of hope for these children by supporting the Program which is in line with our belief in the company's social responsibility."