AmCham Abu Dhabi hosts Lunch and Learn Series, Raising Breast Cancer Awareness; Celebrating the Strength and Spirit of Women

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AmCham Abu Dhabi hosts Lunch and Learn Series, Raising Breast Cancer Awareness; Celebrating the Strength and Spirit of Women October 10, 2012 For Immediate Release On Wednesday, October 9, 2012,

1 AmCham Abu Dhabi hosts Lunch and Learn Series, Raising Breast Cancer Awareness; Celebrating the Strength and Spirit of Women October 10, 2012 For Immediate Release On Wednesday, October 9, 2012, AmCham Abu Dhabi kicked off this season s Lunch and Learn Series with an event to raise breast cancer awareness and celebrate the strength and spirit of women. Proceeds from the event will benefit Jewels of Antarctica, the first team of breast cancer survivors from the UAE to venture to the South Pole. The luncheon featured a panel moderated by Jewels of Antarctica Expedition leader, Julie Lewis, Founder of Mountain High Middle East. The panelists included the first Emirati woman to go to the South Pole, Dana Al Hammadi, breast cancer survivors Laurie Kelly, Head of Communications at ATIC, and Morag Cromey-Hawke, Executive Director of Operation Smile U.A.E. as well as Plastic & Reconstructive Surgeon at Gulf Diagnostic Center Hospital, Dr. Abeer Sawwaf. An informative and inspirational dialogue took place among the panelists and with the audience about preventive methods, how to deal with a cancer diagnosis proactively and powerfully, and what motivates these women to go to the ends of the earth. Margaret Haas Hurtado, wife of Victor Hurtado, Deputy of Mission at the US Embassy. Welcoming remarks were provided by Margaret Haas Hurtado, wife of Victor Hurtado, Deputy Chief of Mission at the US Embassy, who spoke about the importance of early detection through mammograms. In regard to detection and treatment of breast cancer in the Middle East, Margaret stated, "As I have lived in this region over the last 13 years, I have witnessed an evolution, culturally, in the need for and approval of detecting breast cancer, and of providing local access to mammograms."

Morag relayed the importance of receiving treatment in the UAE so she could remain with her family and support network. Dr.

2 (from left) Panelists Dana Al Hammadi, Laurie Kelly, Morag Cromey-Hawke, Dr. Abeer Sawwaf, moderated by Julie Lewis Julie Lewis, asked the panelists questions about their personal and professional perspectives on dealing with a cancer diagnosis. Morag relayed the importance of receiving treatment in the UAE so she could remain with her family and support network. Dr. Abeer Sawwaf explained the benefit to one s mental health and overall recovery knowing that there are options for women to consider during and after treatment. The women also commented on their upcoming Antarctic expedition. Dana spoke about the peaceful, serene experience of traveling to Antarctica and her favorite part: the penguins. Laurie relayed her enthusiasm of meeting the challenge of the Expedition and being a role model for her daughters. (from left) Sarah Omolewu, Director of Communications, Shangri-La Qaryat Al Beri; Lina Jeiroudi, General Manager, Sultan International Holding Company, Julie Lewis, Founder, Mountain High ME; Dana Al Hammadi, Emirati Adventurer; Laurie Kelly, Head of Communications, ATIC; Morag Cromey-Hawke, Executive Director, Operation Smile UAE; Madam Jamal Kaddoura, Co-Founder and Director, Gulf Diagnostic Center Hospital; Dr. Abeer Sawwaf, Plastic & Reconstructive Surgeon, Gulf Diagnostic Center Hospital; Guy Mehula, AmCham Abu Dhabi Board Member; Terry Weber, President and Partner, Alexandria Consulting Team (ACT) LLC; Cassandra Gaudin, Executive Director, AmCham Abu Dhabi; Barbara Smith, Adult Nurse Practitioner, Gulf International Cancer Center

3 Thank you to the generous sponsorship of Silver Sponsor Gulf Diagnostic Center Hospital; Pink Sponsors: Advanced Technology Investment Company (ATIC), Alexandria Consulting Team (ACT) LLC, Gulf International Cancer Center, Harris Atlas Systems LLC, Sultan International Holding, the Shivamber Family, and the Shangri-La Hotel Qaryat Al Beri. To view additional photos of this event, please visit Follow the Jewels of Antarctica Expedition team on Facebook.com/MountainHighMe

4 Notes to the Editors About AmCham Abu Dhabi AmCham Abu Dhabi (the trademark of the American Business Group of Abu Dhabi) is a member of the global network of American Chambers of Commerce. The AmCham Abu Dhabi mission is to promote the development of commerce, investment and goodwill between the United States of America, the membership, the American community, and the Emirate of Abu Dhabi through active membership participation. AmCham is an independent, not-for-profit association comprised of Fortune 500 corporations, small and medium sized companies and prominent business leaders and entrepreneurs. AmCham Abu Dhabi provides a uniquely situated platform through which executives pursue and discuss issues impacting business operation between the US and UAE. Substantive government advocacy programs, educational and networking programs and customized business service are just a few of the many benefits AmCham Abu Dhabi provides to its members. Through the support of its members, AmCham Abu Dhabi has become the recognized voice of US business in Abu Dhabi, the capital city of the United Arab Emirates. About Jewels of Antarctica Expedition Under the Patronage of HH Sheikha Alyazia Bint Saif Al Nahyan, wife of HH Sheikh Abdullah Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, 16 Breast Cancer Survivors will be the first UAE breast cancer survivor team from the UAE to go to Antarctica. On the expedition, the team will plant a UAE flag in Ushuaia, the most southerly place in the world, on 2 December, UAE National Day. A short film and book will be produced to document the expedition, the women and the landscapes. Both the film and book will be showcased during Jewels of Antarctica 2013 Road Shows in the Region. Moderator and Panelist Bios Julie Lewis, Founder of Mountain High ME, an organization established in 2003 to offer global expeditions, retreats, coaching and personal leadership programs for women. Julie is a Sports Science degree graduate, NLP Master Coach and practitioner and has been a women's health activist in the Middle East and Asia for the last 14 years. A five-time arctic explorer, mountain climber and seasoned adventurer, Julie is passionate about empowering women to get into action, to take charge of their health and to make a difference in the process. Julie has been involved with breast cancer awareness and fund raising since 2003 and serves on the UAE Breast Friends Committee established by Dr Houriya Kazim. Julie is delighted to be leading the first team of Breast Cancer Survivors from the UAE on the Jewels of Antarctica Expedition this December. Dana Al Hammadi, traveling with an international group led by English explorer, Sir Robert Swan, in March 2011, was the first Emirati woman to step foot into Antarctica. She has given numerous TV and magazine interviews on her role as a female leader in sports and an advocate for sustainability of natural resources. Morag Cromey-Hawke, Executive Director at Operation Smile UAE, has been involved in Education for 30 years. She moved to Abu Dhabi in 1980 to take up a teaching post. She was approached by HH Sheikha Al Jazia Bint Saif Al Nahyan to help set up Operation Smile UAE in June Two years later, she led the organization in raising funds to provide more than 600 children with corrective surgeries. Having reached the five-year milestone for being cancer free, Morag is an inspiration to breast cancer patients.

5 Laurie Kelly, Head of Communications at Advanced Technology Investment Company LLC, is a twotime breast cancer survivor and a strong advocate for mammograms. She is part of the first and only international team of Breast Cancer Survivors from the UAE to adventure to the ends of the earth to raise awareness, educate and prevent breast cancer specifically in the UAE. Laurie has lived in the UAE since September 2010 and is the Head of Communications for ATIC. She is responsible for the development of the overall communications strategy, managing internal and external communications and marketing activities that promote, enhance, and protect the Company s brand reputation. Dr. Abeer Sawwaf, Plastic & Reconstructive Surgeon, is a fellow of the American Board of Surgeons and American Board of General Surgery. Dr. Sawwaf is a Consultant at Gulf Diagnostic Center Hospital where she specializes in breast reconstruction and aiding the recovery process for breast cancer patients.

Panelist Agenda. Tuesday, 5 October Time: Event: Location: 8:00 a.m. 9:00 a.m. Registration Emirates Palace Hotel Mezzanine Level

Panelist Agenda. Tuesday, 5 October Time: Event: Location: 8:00 a.m. 9:00 a.m. Registration Emirates Palace Hotel Mezzanine Level Panelist Agenda Tuesday, 5 October 2010 Time: Event: Location: 8:00 a.m. 9:00 a.m. Registration Hotel 9:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. Conference & Lunch Hotel 4:00 p.m. 6:00 p.m. Majlis Discussion 6:30 p.m. -9:00