Doha, Qatar – 10 March 2015: In light of World Cancer Day, Qatar Petrochemical Company (QAPCO) Q.S.C., one of the leading petrochemical powerhouses in the region and a pioneer in petrochemical production, recently welcomed a team from the Qatar Cancer Society (QCS) to its Sports Club in Mesaieed in order to raise awareness about cancer and to encourage its prevention, detection, and treatment. The team of experts from Qatar Cancer Society delivered informative sessions and practical workshops, both in English and Arabic, to the participants.
QAPCO held the day-long event under the “Show you care, be cancer aware” theme in an effort to increase the community’s understanding of cancer and to empower its employees to take control over their health. QAPCO invited its employees and their families to take part in the Cancer Awareness gathering. One of the highlights of the sessions was the Survivor Experience Sharing. Those stories of hope were an inspiration for many and encouraged to fight cancer with more determination than ever before. The Qatar Cancer Society also presented the different treatments available and emphasized the whole spectrum of support options provided. Educational material was also distributed and self-examination workshops conducted, in particular for breast cancer. The overall message of the day was that early detection is the best protection.
More than 100 different types of cancer exist. Most cancers are named for the organ or type of cell in which they start. Cancer is the third main cause of death in Qatar.
QAPCO takes cancer awareness very seriously. All year long, QAPCO strongly believes in encouraging its employees to adopt healthy lifestyles and to make healthy living choices in order to prevent and fight conditions that may cause cancer. For instance, on a yearly basis, the company launches an anti-smoking campaign, which results in many employees quitting smoking for good.
QAPCO was pleased to team-up with the Qatar Cancer Society in an effort to increase cancer education, encourage its detection amongst its employees and change misconceptions and stigma associated with cancer. On the occasion, Dr. Mohammed Youssef Al Mulla, Vice Chairman and CEO of QAPCO, mentioned: “At QAPCO, as a responsible corporate citizen, and in alignment with the Qatar National Vision 2030, we believe in raising awareness about cancer amongst our employees and our community by also highlighting the importance of healthy lifestyles as it lowers the risk of developing cancer.I thank the Qatar Cancer Society team for having visited QAPCO and for having raised awareness about risk factors, preventive measures and various treatments in order to beat cancer. The impact of Qatar Cancer Society’ s noble action is evident and benefits the Qatari society as a whole”.
Similarly, Mrs. Mariam Hamad Al Nuaimi, General manager of QCS, said: “I would like to express my deep appreciation to QAPCO for their efforts in fighting cancer through supporting our educational mission”.
“I would also like to thank all those who have supported QCS and helped to spread its message by educating the community about cancer and how to prevent and treat the disease” added Al Nuaimi.
QAPCO praised Qatar Cancer Society for its proactive role and thanked all the volunteers who participated in this day dedicated to cancer awareness.
The “ Show you care, be cancer aware” initiative is part of QAPCO’s annual CSR campaign “Be Fit, Be Health, Be Happy”. QAPCO places the fitness and wellbeing of its employees and their knowledge of health related issues as a priority. Throughout the year, QAPCO organizes a number of health-oriented initiatives in order to promote healthy lifestyles within the company and the community. QAPCO has developed focused Corporate Social Responsibility programs and is investing in projects that support three key areas: employee and family welfare, education, and sports.
About QAPCO: QAPCO is a Qatar-based company established in 1974 and is a joint venture between Industries Qatar (80%) and Total Petrochemicals France (20%). The company is one of the largest producers of low density polyethylene (LDPE) in the region besides producing ethylene, sulphur and other petrochemical products. QAPCO is involved in a number of joint ventures that include QATOFIN, QVC, and QPPC, making QAPCO a regional petrochemical powerhouse.
LDPE is considered as the most widely used type of plastic, with applications such as food packaging, agricultural films, toys, cables and wires, coating, lamination and many other products broadly used all over the planet. LDPE enriches our everyday life, making it more practical, safer, lighter and better.The LDPE produced by QAPCO is a high quality food-contact safe grade polymer and complies with local, EU and U.S. FDA standards related to food packaging safety.