His Excellency the Minister of Health, Eng. Khalid AL-Falih, has received Sharifa Al-Haqbani; the girl child dubbed the "ambassador of cancer fighters", and expressed his admiration for her high spirit.
Accompanied by her father, Sharifa headed, Thursday, for the health minister's office. He commended her willpower and determination. Equipped with these qualities, Sharifa managed, thank Allah, to stand firm and steadfast in the face of the disease. Rather than giving in to pain and suffering, she transformed them into positive power. It was through such power, as well as her strong will and high spirits, that Sharifa could provide an inspiring example to be followed by others. "May Allah grant her speedy recovery," the minister said.
Speaking to Sharifa, Al-Falih expressed his keen interest in backing establishment of cancer-fighting associations. "I look forward to your participation in such activities," al-Falih said.
On her part, Sharifa presented to the Minister a copy of her book titled: "Pain Is Real, But So Is Hope". The book tells her experience with the disease, and how she managed to live with it.
Concluding, the Minister of Health, Eng. al-Falih, prayed that science and research would find a way to add cancer to the list of bygone woes.