The Middle East and North Africa Regional Breast Cancer Advocacy Conference brought together 136 advocates and breast cancer experts from 15 countries in the Middle East, North Africa, and the United States to share information and explore collective ways to improve breast cancer awareness, detection, and care for women and families. JBCP, the Global Initiative’s Lead Partner in Jordan, played a key role in hosting and organizing the conference.

• Global Initiative managers and participants from Jordan, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates, as well as Global Initiative managers from IIE, came to Amman to attend this conference and share their ideas around advocacy after their experience in Course for the Cure™.
• Conference session topics included outreach, volunteerism, grassroots networks, cause marketing, health communication strategies, private sector involvement, patient support, and the role of research.
• Global Initiative participants contributed to this conference by leading discussion on education, volunteerism, advocacy, and the future of breast cancer.
• The U.S.-Middle East Partnership for Breast Cancer Awareness and Research—organized by the State Department’s Office of Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs and the Middle East Partnership Initiative— united Susan G. Komen for the Cure with The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center and the governments of Jordan and Saudi Arabia. Together, these partners collaborated to develop awareness campaigns suited to each country; increase research, training and community outreach efforts; and help women build the knowledge and the confidence they need to be in charge of their own health. Although this program has formally ended, collaboration and sharing continues among members.