Celebrating International Breast Cancer Month, Al-Amoudi, who is also a breast cancer survivor, told women in a social gathering in Mukalla about her painful experience with cancer and how she defeated the fatal disease.

“Don’t be afraid of death, many healthy people die in car accidents,” she told her audience. “Early detection increases chances of a cure.”

Al-Amoudi attended a function to announce an assemblage called Sanad, which is aimed at promoting breast cancer awareness, raising money to help breast cancer patients in Hadramout and providing support for women diagnosed with breast cancer as well as those who have lost loved ones to this disease. The assemblage is a subcommittee from the Hadramout Cancer Foundation.

“I feel very committed and saw how women are suffering in silence,” she told Arab News. “We need to break the silence in this closed and conservative community. I am preparing a proposal of what I think should be the strategic plan for women’s health and the fight against breast cancer.”

Al-Amoudi visited local cancer facilities in Mukalla and came out with her own assessment: “Unfortunately, there is lack of resources and lack of data — and there is only one conventional mammogram machine. We have to work to replace this with a more accurate digital machine.”

Al-Amoudi said Saudi philanthropists have made a world of difference in the health sector in Hadramout.

“Their altruistic work clearly show Islamic solidarity at its best. We still need to give more to this region, whether financially or medically or from our time and energy. I felt touched by the great contribution of Sheikh Abdullah Bugshan and the committee and their sincere efforts to promote health and focus on health and education.”