AJMI – Doha

Al Jazeera Media Institute held its annual awareness event on Tuesday, 20 October 2026, marking Cancer Awareness Month (Pink October) for the third consecutive year. The event organized in collaboration with Qatar Cancer Society and attended by a number of female staff members of the Institute to raise awareness of the importance of psychosocial support for cancer patients’ caregivers and highlight their needs throughout the treatment and recovery course.

Held under the title “Behind every journey is a circle of support… Who walks the road with you?”, the session explored psychological and human dimensions of recovery, the role of family and the wider social circle in providing support, and importance of recognizing the needs of those standing by women recovering from cancer, including psychological and social pressures they may face.

Ms. Iman Al-Amari, Director of Al Jazeera Media Institute, stressed that the Institute’s responsibility extends beyond professional development to fostering human and social awareness in the workplace. She highlighted the importance of recognizing the personal experience of every sick person and understanding that recovery is not a journey taken alone; but it should be shared with a circle of people who, in turn, need understanding and support.

For her part, Ms. Hessa Boudheish, the Institute’s Director of Planning and Projects, said: “At Al Jazeera Media Institute, we are keen to make our annual gathering an opportunity to raise awareness of health and humanitarian issues by addressing topics that touch realities and experiences of people. This year, we are highlighting the importance of psychosocial support for women recovering from cancer and for those accompanying them in recovery journey. This reflects our belief that awareness goes beyond knowledge to understanding others’ needs and recognizing our responsibility towards them.”

The session hosted Ms. Dana Mansour, Head of psychosocial support at Qatar Cancer Society, who stressed the importance of psychological support for cancer survivors and their caregivers, as well as ways to tailor support that match individual needs. Interactive discussions and activities gave participants an opportunity to engage with the session’s theme and shed light on different forms of support and the impact they can have.

Ms. Aya Mohammed, a cancer survivor, also shared aspects of her personal experience, underscoring the importance of human support throughout treatment and recovery.

The event forms part of the Institute’s ongoing efforts to raise awareness of health and humanitarian issues and create space for dialogue about experiences and needs of women recovering from cancer, as well as those around them, helping foster a culture of support, empathy and understanding.