Jansen celebrates the launch of “Blood Safety” website, the first electronic source of leukemia in Arabic

Al-hadth – Ahmed Bin Abdulqader

The Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies of Johnson & Johnson are pleased to announce their partnership with the Saudi Society for Blood Disorders in the development of the GCC’s first online resource for blood cancer information to be available in Arabic.

Salamat Damak – salamatdamak.com – is the first online blood cancer information resource to be available in Arabic in the Arabian Gulf. The web-based platform, developed by the Saudi Society for Blood Disorders and sponsored by Janssen, seeks to provide credible medical information about blood diseases for patients and their families in the GCC. All content of Salamat Damak has been developed by the scientific committee of the site.

The Saudi Society for Blood Disorders was established to lead and influence the practice of hematology in Saudi Arabia through the promotion of excellence in patient care, research, continuous professional and public education. It has a mission to act as a resource for patients and workers in the field of specialization and provide social and psychological support to patients and their families.

Blood cancers comprise approximately seven percent of all cancers diagnosed worldwide. There are many types of blood cancer. Each has different symptoms, treatments and prognoses. The main three types of blood cancers are leukemia, lymphoma, and myeloma. These three types affect around 8000 patients each year in the Gulf and historically there has been little information or resources available to those whose lives are affected by them. The Salamat Damak site is part of a shared regional vision to improve and enhance the quality of healthcare services and provide world-class healthcare infrastructure for a healthier population.

Dr. Feras Alfraih, President of Saudi Society for Blood Disorders, said: “We are delighted to launch Salamat Damak as a rich education and information resource for blood cancer patients and their families in the GCC. We firmly believe that well-informed patients have better treatment outcomes than less-informed patients and in developing Salamat Damak in conjunction with our partners across the region, we have sought to bring together a range of accredited resources that provide practical information and direction on psychological and social support to blood cancer patients across the region”.

Dr. Feras Alfraih, continued: “Salamat Damak is the first online platform in Arabic for the public focusing on blood diseases. It offers a range of services including ask a doctor, share your inspiring story and numerous medical resources for patients and their families. Saudi Society for Blood Disorders values the partnership with Janssen on this pioneering project.”

Mohamed Alquwaizani, General Manager of Janssen Saudi Arabia, said “Despite the incredible work of the blood cancer community across the world, blood cancer remains a leading cause of premature death with around 4000 deaths from blood cancer every year in the GCC region. We hope that our partnership with the Saudi Society for Blood Disorders and the launch of Salamat Damak will be a positive contribution to aiding understanding and treatment of cancer. Early detection of cancer greatly increases the chances for successful treatment and better patient outcomes, improving the efficiency in dealing with the disease.”