An Evening With Royalty

Her Highness Sheikha Moza Bint Nasser

So, as a member of the Cancer Support Group in Doha, I was invited to the Sheraton Hotel for  the launching of the five year cancer initiative, where the very high profiled Sheikha Moza, as Vice Chairman of Supreme Council of Health, made an appearance.  In Doha, she is very well respected and known for her tireless efforts to improve education and health care in Qatar. She was named by Forbes as on of the 100 most powerful women, and is likened to Jackie Kennedy (who else is the ultimate icon of fashion?) for her elegance and style. Although she wore the traditional abiya (as in the photo above), she often wears chanel suits and other designer clothing when traveling abroad (visiting the Queen of England or the Obamas or the Queen of Spain) and her hair is usually only partially covered!

I was seated at the second table to the front, and Moza sat in a chair along with other dignitaries a few rows ahead of our table. She certainly had a regal and chasrismatic presence. Several people spoke about cancer care in Qatar, pledging their dedication and outlining the plan for the 2 billion dollar project to make cancer care in Qatar as good as the best care in the world. I feel very excited about this project and am so grateful to have the support and leadership of this group. The women I have met have been so friendly and accepting, sensitive and compassionate. Last night I met yet another woman who was one of the pioneers in breast cancer networking in Doha. Her husband is British, she is Indian, and they live in Doha. She has done so much to help women feel less alone, to help them find resources to cope, and gave me some very helpful information. I even saw a Qatari woman who had pink ribbons in sequins on her veil. she was not a survivor or patient, but rather a nurse who wanted to show support.  I think the fact that Moza is highlighting this disease makes so many feel less alone and overcomes the stigma which many women with breast cancer have felt, especially in this region.

As soon as Sheikha Moza arrived, a hush fell over the banquet room and the doors were closed.  When she entered, the assembly rose in silence and the only sound was the clicking and flashing of cameras from reporters. Although the majority of the people were Arab, there was also a large number of Westerners present, including Ellie LeBaron, the wife of the American Ambassador, who is also a breast cancer survivor. Sheikha Moza did not speak, but she did take the stage for a gift presentation and photos. After she left, the banquet was served. The evening was very uplifting and made me, as a cancer patient, feel the power of community beyond my country and church and into a universal forum.It was very exciting.