Students and staff members of RCSI Medical University of Bahrain have provided support to three charitable societies since the beginning of the academic year. The efforts of our volunteers and the generous contributions of our students and staff facilitated donations to SMILE, Think Pink and Bahrain Cancer Society.

At the beginning of November, Mr Stephen Harrison-Mirfield, Managing Director of RCSI Medical University of Bahrain, cycled 105 kilometres around the campus to mark Movember, a global campaign held annually in November aimed at raising awareness about men's health challenges.  Mr Harrison-Mirfield regularly cycles, a leisure pursuit he adopted in 2020 to improve his overall health and wellbeing upon the advice of an avid triathlete friend. A sponsoring scheme to support Mr Harrison-Mirfield in his endeavour was open by the University to raise donations for the Bahrain Cancer Society. 

Mr Harrison-Mirfield stated: “With the support of my wife, friends, colleagues and our students, I cycled 100 laps around the campus (or 105km) to raise awareness about men’s health and to contribute to a worthy cause. I am grateful to everyone who sponsored me to raise donations for the Bahrain Cancer Society and I encourage everyone to dedicate some free time to support charities for the benefit of all communities.”

As part of the annual Breast Cancer Awareness activities held annually in October, the University’s Community Engagement department coordinated staff and students’ participation in the annual Walk-A-Thon and organised the sales of Think Pink merchandise and food items to raise donations. 

Dr Abdul Rahman Ebrahim Fakhro, President of Bahrain Cancer Society, commented: “We have been collaborating with RCSI Medical University of Bahrain for many years and we commend the university’s contribution towards cancer translational research and its commitment to various cancer awareness activities, as well as raising donations annually. We look forward to further collaborations.”        

Earlier this academic year, the University’s Community Engagement department in collaboration with the Language and Culture Unit joined forces to support SMILE, an initiative under the auspices of the Bahrain Future Society for Youth, which provides essential psychosocial support to children diagnosed with cancer and their parents in Bahrain. SMILE Merchandise, paintings created by children affected by cancer, artworks and raffle tickets were sold to students and staff on campus to raise donations for SMILE. Medical and nursing students also volunteered their time at the SMILE booths located in shopping malls to engage with the public, provide entertainment for children and raise awareness about childhood cancer.