Saudi Cancer Society Achievements 2025: Housing Services and Early Detection
The Executive Director of the Saudi Cancer Society in the Eastern Province, Essam Al-Jaafari, revealed key findings of the Society's 2025 annual report, which demonstrated unprecedented leaps in the level of medical and logistical services provided to patients. Al-Jaafari emphasized that the Society has successfully surpassed 2.5 million beneficiaries since its inception, reflecting its sustainable impact on society and the development of the non-profit sector in the Kingdom, aligning with the goals of Vision 2030 to enhance quality of life and healthcare.
The importance of holistic care for cancer patients
These achievements come within the context of a strategic transformation the association is undergoing, where the focus is no longer limited to direct treatment alone, but has expanded to include holistic care that encompasses psychological, social, and logistical aspects. This approach is a cornerstone of modern treatment protocols globally, as studies have shown that improving the patient's psychological state and alleviating their financial burdens directly contribute to enhancing the body's response to treatment and boosting immunity.
Innovative solutions to housing and transportation challenges
To facilitate access for patients coming from outside Dammam and Khobar, the association successfully addressed the housing challenge in a comprehensive manner during 2025. Al-Jaafari explained that the association entered into strategic agreements with hotels near King Fahd Specialist Hospital, securing over 6,300 free hotel nights for 1,500 patients and their companions. Simultaneously, 1,200 safe transportation trips were arranged to ensure patients could easily reach their treatment appointments, thus alleviating the financial and physical burden on their families.
Strategic partnership with Aramco for early detection
In the area of prevention and early detection, which is the first line of defense against the disease, the association strengthened its strategic partnership with Saudi Aramco. This partnership resulted in the provision of mobile clinics equipped with the latest screening technologies, which contributed to serving 20,000 beneficiaries in a record time and setting new records for screenings during 2025. This initiative is of paramount importance because early detection significantly increases recovery rates and reduces the cost and duration of treatment.
Comprehensive home and psychological support
The association also provided support to patients in their homes, arranging 1,300 hourly visits from domestic workers to assist mothers and housewives during chemotherapy treatments, in addition to distributing 2,000 medical and prosthetic devices. On the psychological front, the "Day of Happiness" hall became a hub of moral support, where recovered patients and new patients were brought together to share experiences and instill hope. Furthermore, the association organized spiritual trips for Umrah and visits to the Prophet's Mosque, benefiting 279 individuals, to promote the spiritual tranquility that supports recovery.
The power of volunteering and community partnerships
Al-Jaafari concluded by praising the pivotal role of volunteers, noting that the association's database includes more than 25,000 volunteers who contributed over 13,000 volunteer hours during the year, reflecting the spirit of giving deeply rooted in Saudi society. He also highlighted the increase in the number of partners from the public and private sectors to 216, underscoring the significant trust placed in the association and its credibility in managing and directing resources to serve patients.
