UAE – Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, an integral part of Mubadala Health, has announced the launch of its 4th Angel Program, which aims to empower cancer patients, survivors, and their families.
It is a unique and unparalleled extension of US-based Cleveland Clinic’s model of care, specifically designed to address a range of complex and critical care requirements special to the Abu Dhabi population.
In a press release, the multispecialty hospital said that the 4th Angel Program will help to promote and support world-class research and quality care that will one day lead to a cure for cancer.
“The program has been extended from Cleveland Clinic and brought to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in what is its first international expansion,” the hospital informed.
Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi outlined that the program will empower cancer patients and their families, via education and guidance, throughout their cancer journey of treatment and survivorship.
“The 4th Angel Program, which will initially be rolled out to breast cancer patients, matches patients with trained volunteers of a similar age, and with similar cancer experiences,” the hospital stated.
The personalized peer support initiative, aimed at empowering those affected by cancer and its treatment, will ensure that cancer survivors and patients can talk to their peers about their cancer experience.
The hospital, located on Al Maryah Island in Abu Dhabi, further said that ‘Angels’ are trained volunteers who can answer complex questions and provide helpful, positive, and much-needed strategies, learned from their own experiences.
“Anyone diagnosed with cancer or caring for someone with cancer is eligible to become an ‘Angel’. When an Angel is requested, the patient will be matched based on similar experiences,” Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi announced.
The multispecialty hospital explained that the ‘Angel’ contacts the patient to offer one-on-one support via phone, email, or face-to-face meetings, noting that they are empathetic cancer survivors or family members of patients with first-hand experience.
Commenting on the launch, Dr. Stephen Grobmyer, Institute Chair of the Oncology Institute at Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, said: “The 4th Angel Program is an extension of the compassionate care we provide.”
He disclosed that the team will initially focus on breast cancer patients since breast cancer is the most prevalent type of cancer in the UAE while expressing his hopes that they will be opening the vital service to all cancer patients.
“Our 4th Angel volunteers make a real difference in the life of someone affected by cancer by providing knowledge, spreading awareness around what patients can expect, building hope, and providing a helping hand,” added Dr. Grobmyer.
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