SKMCH&RC: A Beacon of Hope

6This post is by Fizzah Fatima, who is representing Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital and Research Centre in the Gulf region as a Shaukat Khanum Overseas Student Ambassador. Read her story to learn how SKMCH&RC provides its student ambassadors a chance to give back to their society.

A Golden Opportunity

To be able to represent an organisation like Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital and Research Centre (SKMCH&RC) is no less than a golden opportunity.

It goes without saying that SKMCH&RC is a credible and prestigious organisation which strives for the betterment of the public and humanity as a whole. Undoubtedly, the transparency in the operations of the Hospital plays a crucial part in building trust amongst its stakeholders.

I find myself absolutely fortunate to have been selected to represent SKMCH&RC in my educational institute since 2017 as a Shaukat Khanum Overseas Student Ambassador (SKOSA).

Professional Evolution in being a SKOSA

Working alongside the Marketing Department, I have not just gained marketing experience but this role has helped me develop skills that surely come up to the requirements of today’s corporate world. To list a few, I have learnt to deal calmly and efficiently with conflicting priorities, deadlines and opinions while thinking strategically to introduce innovative and practical ideas. Certainly, there were challenges through this learning process and the learning curve was not a smooth one. At times, it seemed so frustrating when things did not go as per plans. Nonetheless, I was soon able to understand that one needs to be patient while thinking analytically when problem solving to come up with an even better idea and opportunity. Basically, through this experience I have understood what it means when one says, “coal under pressure becomes a diamond.’’

However, the above is not the only thing that I have discovered through this experience. I was able to see the picture behind the scenes.

Contributing towards the Life-Saving Mission of SKMCH&RC

The mission of SKMCH&RC is “To act as a model institution to alleviate the suffering of patients with cancer through the application of modern methods of curative and palliative therapy irrespective of their ability to pay, the education of health care professionals and the public and perform research into the causes and treatment of cancer.” And mark my words, they are making every effort to live up to this.

As a SKOSA, I saw how the Marketing Department aspires to achieve the annual fundraising target. For them, it’s not mere numbers or figures, it represents the GOAL of saving lives. Honestly, the posts and photos shared by them on their social media page do not tell the entire story of the amount of hard-work that is put in to get to the end result of providing world-class cancer care to indigent cancer patients. Each activity takes great amount of consideration, planning and days of efforts. Nothing gets done overnight. Everyone at SKMCH&RC is working hard and striving to fulfill their organisations’s vision and mission. And I am truly blessed to have given the chance to contribute (though my contribution is minimal) for this noble cause.

Supporters are the Driving Force for SKMCH&RC

Finally, during this journey I have been left speechless to see the amount of support the well-wishers of SKMCH&RC give. Their love for this organisation cannot be expressed in words and this, I believe, is the driving force for everyone at SKMCH&RC that makes everything so worth it!

The way SKMCH&RC adds value to people’s lives, is not only inspirational but fills the soul with zeal to do more for this worthy cause…

Fatimah