Former journalist-turned-communications professional Rafe Sadnan Adel has been elected to serve on the Board of Directors of the World Ovarian Cancer Coalition (WOCC). Adel will serve the position with the global coalition for the next three years starting July 1.
Adel, who lost mother to ovarian cancer in 2014, launched the first-ever cancer-related Bangla website www.cancerbd.net (formerly cancerbd.com) the same year.
The website offers cancer awareness-related information to all Bangla-speaking people. It contains valuable information pertaining to the disease, from the types of cancers, to symptoms, and diagnosis.
Moreover, information on treatment centres, doctors and medicines are also available on the site, fulfilling a previously unmet need in the country.
The website also hosts seminars, symposiums, webinars, media and social campaigns on cancer-related awareness. During the Covid-19 pandemic, the platform delivered food assistance several times to people affected with cancer.
Elisabeth Baugh, chair of WOCC, said: “As chair, I am delighted to welcome Adel. His significant skill and expertise as a communicator and patient advocate will be a huge asset and we’re honored that he will be joining our mission to ensure that every woman diagnosed with ovarian cancer has the best chance of survival and best quality of life.”
Welcoming Adel on board, Clara MacKay, CEO of the coalition, said: “Adel’s passion for patient advocacy resulting from the loss of his mother to ovarian cancer combined with his exceptional communications credentials make him an excellent addition to the coalition.
“And we look forward to working with him to change the future of ovarian cancer, for all women” Clara hoped.
In his reaction, Adel said: “I was not able to save my mother and this nomination from the coalition is a great opportunity for me to overcome this feeling of failure.”
However, expressing his gratitude for being assigned to the global platform, Adel said he is particularly keen to ensure that the needs of women from Asian countries are met.
“Working together in a coordinated and planned way, I believe the day will come when no women in the world will die from ovarian cancer. The day is not far from today,” he added.