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SMILE, a Bahrain Future Society for Youth initiative, is set to officially launch the Smile Shop, a creative platform to support children with cancer.
The aim is to sell a variety of merchandise that will be made available online and at retail hubs across the country.
The products include bags, bottles, books and mugs, carrying striking designs by Bahraini artists, with 80 per cent of the proceeds from sale set to help children suffering from cancer.
The society’s announcement comes as Bahrain gears up to mark International Childhood Cancer Day (ICCD) on Saturday.
The day, held annually on February 15, aims to raise awareness about childhood cancer and its unique challenges. It also highlights the importance of community participation and support in tackling challenges related to the disease. The theme this year is Inspiring Action, which will focus on collaborative efforts and initiatives for the cause.
“We did a soft launch (for the shop) in September last year, and the response was overwhelming, with most of our stocks sold out, which spurred us on to stage an official launch this month,” Future Society for Youth chairman Sabah Al Zayani told GulfWeekly.
“We’re always looking for sustainable resources to support our children, which is why we came up with the idea. The products are high-end, making them the perfect gift for loved ones too,” he added.
The ‘Smile’ initiative is a Bahrain Future Society for Youth programme that provides psychosocial support to children with cancer and their parents in Bahrain. It has successfully collaborated with private sector and government entities, particularly the Health Ministry and Government Hospitals as well as the Social Development Ministry, to spread awareness about the cause and raise funds for children suffering from cancer.
Cancer is a large group of diseases that can start in almost any organ or tissue of the body where abnormal cells grow uncontrollably. According to the World Health Organisation, cancer is a leading cause of death for children and adolescents, with an estimated 400,000, aged from zero to 19 years, developing the illness.
“Smile Shop has signed up with the Jahez application and patrons can purchase the products and have them delivered to their homes at the click of a button after February 17,” Sabah said.
According to him, the society is also in talks with malls and supermarkets, where the products will soon be made available.
“We have been working with a few Bahraini artists and are actively talking to more local creatives as well,” Sabah added.
“In the past, we have released merchandise in connection with major events like Bahrain National Day, and we hope to continue this trend as it’s popular with our patrons,” he added.
