Retailer Raises Funds in Aid of Critical Diabetes Research
Dubai-UAE: 14 March, 2017 – Landmark Group, the region’s leading retail and hospitality conglomerate, has renewed its commitment to raising funds for Al Jalila Foundation in support of the UAE government’s Year of Giving initiative.
Over the last three years, Landmark Group charged the participants of its annual Beat Diabetes Walk a nominal registration fee of AED20 to raise funds for the foundation. Furthermore, customers shopping at any of its 550 retail and hospitality outlets had the option to donate to the cause by adding AED5 or multiples of the amount to their total bills.
The Group donated AED12.7 million raised from both these endeavours as well as its own grant over the last 3 years. The retail conglomerate will continue to support critical research through the Beat Diabetes initiative with a focus on the areas of gestational diabetes and diabetic obesity.
Renuka Jagtiani, Vice Chairperson of Landmark Group, said: “Diabetes is a growing epidemic across the regions we operate in within the Middle East and India. Under the banner of our CSR programme Beat Diabetes, we run several year-round initiatives to raise awareness on the management and prevention of the condition while supporting medical research in partnership with Al Jalila Foundation. Our aim during the Year of Giving is to raise AED1 million for diabetes research though our annual walkathon in November and our UAE-wide fundraising initiative.”
Dr Abdulkareem Sultan Al Olama, Chief Executive Officer, Al Jalila Foundation, said: “Through our partnership with Landmark Group we have been able to conduct substantial research and create five research pieces so far. Diabetes is a condition that affects one in five in the UAE according to the International Diabetes Federation. Investing in research will help us find innovative solutions to tackle one of today’s most pressing healthcare challenges. We look forward to our fourth consecutive year of partnership with Landmark Group and believe that with a joint effort of this kind we can provide solutions to those living with the condition.”
Al Jalila Foundation was established in 2013 by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai. The global philanthropic organisation is dedicated to transforming lives through medical education and research related to health challenges prevalent in the region.
According to the IDF Diabetes Atlas 2015, diabetes affects over 415 million people globally and accounts for 12 per cent of total health expenditure – a whopping US$673 billion every year.
