HER Fund at the American University of Beirut Medical Center is a charitable fundraising initiative, affiliated with the Women's Health Center at the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, and run by a group of dedicated volunteers. We have established HER Fund at the American University of Beirut Medical Center (AUBMC) to help cover the medical expenses of women who suffer from critical and lif
e threatening obstetrical and gynecological conditions. Who are we? HER Fund is a charitable fundraising initiative, affiliated with the Women’s Health Center at the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology (AUBMC), and run by a group of dedicated volunteers. We work with AUBMC’s Social Services Office that determines whether a woman qualifies for financial assistance. This determination is based solely on a woman’s financial needs. We firmly believe that any woman who needs help – regardless of race, social status, or religion – should get the assistance she needs. How does the fund help? Every woman should be provided with the opportunity to achieve, sustain and maintain her health. However, many obstacles and challenges arise when it comes to women’s health services. HER Fund helps cover the cost of hospital treatment and surgeries for underprivileged women who suffer from critical and life threatening gynecological and obstetrical conditions. These include, but are not limited to, complex gynecologic conditions (such as female cancers and diseases requiring minimally invasive techniques) and high-risk obstetric conditions (such as pregnancies complicated by birth defects, genetic disorders, and life-threatening placental conditions). The fund’s most important initiative is to give special attention to women with cancer and raise awareness. In Lebanon, the overall crude incidence rate for all cancers combined is 126.8 per 100,000 among females. The most common gynecologic cancers are breast, ovarian, uterine, and cervical. Screening for ovarian cancer remains imprecise and while Pap smear testing remains an essential cervical cancer screening tool, its uptake in Lebanon is still low, estimated at 10-15%. The fund will provide an immediate and continuous funding source for such women and for educational outreach programs. How can I help? HER Fund relies solely on the generosity of benefactors and volunteers. The scope and breadth of our activities is limited to the amount of funds available. Today, increasingly difficult economic conditions make charitable support more important than ever. In addition, we are always looking for community members who would like to volunteer and get involved and help with our outreach programs and fundraising.
