3. What is SMILE?
SMILE is a non-profit group that provides moral and emotional support for
cancer patients and their families by hosting different types of events and
engagements that aim to educate, inspire and draw smiles on the faces of
cancer fighters.
1

4. Our Mission:
SMILE aims to fulfill cancer fighters’needs through creating a supportive
environment that helps enhance the quality of their lives and positively
reflects on their treatment outcomes. SMILE also aims to spread
awareness about cancer among the Saudi society to help build
a movement towards early screening and prevention.
Our Vision:
To become a leading support center for cancer patients by aiding them
throughout their journey towards a cure, and spreading educational
awareness about cancer within the Saudi society.
2

5. Objective:
Many cancer patients in Saudi Arabia go through major emotional breakdowns that can
prolongs the recovery process or discourages patients from continuing treatment. The
effect of continuous emotional and moral support can be one of the most significant
reasons that alter the negative behavior and mental state some cancer patient experience.
Due to the general lack of moral and emotional support groups in Saudi Arabia, SMILE has
dedicated itself to support cancer patients in this aspect.
SMILE
Transparent
Patient-centered
A Team
Professional
Compassionate
We Are
3

6. SMILE’s Story
“Smile…You are still alive and have a chance to pray and ask Allah [God] whatever your heart
desires and ask for his forgiveness and vent to him your woes…Others wish they were in your
shoes. So smile you’re blessed :) ”– Farida
On the 26th of February 2013, this tweet caught the attention of Dr. Mohammad Al-Sadoon
(co-founder of SMILE); he wished to know more about the person behind the tweet; his curiosi-
ty led him to follow Farida and learn about her story…She was a cancer fighter who, despite her
own pain and suffering, aimed to support the cancer fighters younger than her. She drew
smiley faces on bandages on their little hands, so that whenever they looked down they would
smile. Dr. Al-Sadoon later discovered that this tweet was Farida’s last encouraging thought to her
followers; she died two days after that tweet had been posted. In honor of her and everything
she stood for during her battle with cancer, Dr. Al-Sadoon decided to initiate“SMILE You’re
Blessed”to support cancer patients the way Farida did and more.
4

7. 5

8. Support Centers:
Ease the access to SMILE’s
support services for
hospitalized cancer fighters.
ducational
ntertaining
ncouraging
nabling
Event Management:
Improve the quality of
life of cancer fighters by
holding events that are:
1 2
E
SMILE’s Areas of Operation
6

9. Professional Development:
Develop courses in“cancer
patient support”held for
professionals (care givers,
health care providers and
volunteers) in contact with
cancer fighters to ensure
maximum quality of support
that fulfill patients’needs.
Research Studies: Conduct
basic, clinical and
community research projects
in collaboration with Alfaisal
University and hospitals in
Riyadh, to provide
scientific information for
SMILE’s awareness materials
and the larger scholarly
community.
Awareness Campaigns:
Spread public awareness about
cancer and the importance of
early screening and prevention,
by conducting:
a. Seminars b. Courses
c. Workshops d. Talks
e. Campaigns
f. Media Materials
3 4 5
7

10. Volunteers
SMILE started off small but was able to
quickly attract volunteers. Initially, SMILE
had 31 volunteers (May, 2013), currently
there are more than 500 volunteers
engaging and supporting SMILE’s cause.
SMILE in Numbers
x500 Volunteers
Smiles
As of 2016, more than 1500
smiles were drawn on cancer
fighters’faces.
x1500 smiles
8
Events
As of 2016, SMILE has
organized/ Participated in
more than 71 events.
x 71 Events

11. Initiated“The Effects of Cancer on Mental and Psychological Status in KSA”a cross
sectional study in King Faisal Specialist Hospital & Research Centre and King Ab-
dulaziz Medical City at National Guard
Basic Research and Lab Training Course (BLT) has graduated 30 Alfaisal University
College of Medicine students.
Established scientific evidence-based information and knowledge for awareness.
9
Scientific Achievements

12. Cancer centers:
Our success partners
Cancer patients support associations:
10

13. Prof. Khaled AlKattan – Chair of SMILE Advisory Committee.
Prof. AbdurhmanJazieh - SMILE Advisory Committee Member.
Prof. Amani Alkufaidi - SMILE Advisory Committee Member.
Ms. Noha Arab - SMILE Advisory Committee Member.
Dr. Mohammad AlSadoon – SMILE Advisory Committee Member.
Dr. Sami AlOtaibi - SMILE Advisory Committee Member
SMILE Advisory Committee
11

14. 12

15. Smile, You are Blessed :)