JEDDAH: Children and youths afflicted with cancer in the Eastern Province have launched a campaign against terrorist attacks.

The patients, their families and doctors have slammed the attacks, which saw many killed and injured, a local publication reported Wednesday.

More than 100 people signed a billboard with the slogan “Our Children ... No to Hatred” with the photograph of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman.

The event was launched during a charity iftar ceremony held by the Saudi Cancer Foundation on Monday in the Eastern Province, and attended by Mubarak Al-Mulheim, the director of King Fahd Specialist Hospital in Dammam, Abdulmohsien Al-Ballaa, the former Saudi ambassador, and more than 400 guests.

Several patients and their family members spoke about the struggle to battle cancer. Abdulaziz Al-Turki, chairman of the Saudi Cancer Foundation, said the gathering is held annually for cancer patients.

“The ceremony saw 43 male and female patients honored for performing well at school. The members of the foundation drafted the slogan to reject intolerance and condemn sectarianism, affirming that we are all one united people living on this blessed soil,” said Al-Turki. He said the foundation has deployed mobile clinics to help with the early detection of cancer.

It was also involved in raising awareness in the community by launching campaigns such as “The Kingdom is Pink” last year under the sponsorship of Eastern Province Gov. Prince Saud bin Naif.