ALEXANDRIA, Egypt: When Melanne Verveer, the US Ambassador-at-Large for Global Women's Issues came to Egypt, Margaret Scobey, the resident American Ambassador to the North African nation, brought her to Alexandria to hear about efforts to promote breast cancer awareness and to participate in a conference focused on creating a better life for underprivileged women and families at the Bibliotheca Alexandrina, Scobey's office said. The two ambassadors met with Alexandria's Governor, Adel Labib, and visited the Suzanne Mubarak Regional Center for Women's Health and Development (SMC). Hassan Sallam, Director of the Center, gave the ambassadors a tour of the SMC, where they learned about the Course for the Cure training, one of the most important activities of the center, which is offered under the umbrella of the Global Initiative for Breast Cancer Awareness, which is funded by USAID. The Global Initiative is being implemented in Egypt by the Institute of International Education, in partnership with the Susan G. Komen Foundation for the Cure®. “Breast cancer is the leading cancer-related cause of death among women in Egypt,” Heba Sweed, Program Manager for the Global Initiative for Breast Cancer Awareness in Egypt, told the esteemed guests during an overview of the Global Initiative activities in Egypt. “The Global Initiative works to create and sustain networks of dedicated activists with the skills, knowledge and vision to play a strategic role in shaping Egypt's response to breast cancer.” The dignitaries met with Nabila Allam, a 28-year old breast cancer survivor and participant in the community training program, the embassy said. They also met with Mrs. Maha Mongued, a co-founder and volunteer for the “Friends of Patients” group at a local NGO called Ayadi Al Mostakbal, which raises funds for diagnostic and treatment equipment that serves cancer patients who cannot afford treatment. Verveer and Scobey also sat in on a “Course for the Cure” workshop where they talked to several participants and heard about their experiences with the Global Initiative for Breast Cancer Awareness in Egypt. After touring the SMC, Ambassadors Verveer and Scobey participated in the conference “A Better Life for Underprivileged Women and Families” hosted by the Bibliotheca Alexandrina. Ambassador Verveer was a featured speaker at the gathering. BM
