Beirut, December 15, 2017: touch, the leading mobile telecommunications and data operator in Lebanon, managed by Zain Group, announces the official launch of the “Be Their Light” initiative; a joint platform with the Children’s Cancer Center of Lebanon (CCCL), aimed at raising funds for children suffering from the illness. The official launching event was held on Wednesday December 13th at Hilton Habtour, in the presence of His Excellency Minister of telecommunications Jamal Al Jarrah, CCCL’s Chair Mrs. Nora Joumblatt, Chief Executive Officer of touch Emre Gurkan, the media and other invitees.
“Be Their light” is a celebration of touch’s long-standing partnership with CCCL, which began in 2011 and marked the launch of “Light a Candle”, an innovative digital campaign that supports the raising of donations through the touch self-care app. To amplify this campaign internally, touch introduced internally “Partner in life”, a program that motivates employees to donate to help fund CCCL’s treatment of children.
To mark this occasion in a creative manner, touch and CCCL partnered with six designers from Lebanon: Alaa Najd; Bokja; Kanz Handbags; L’atelier Nawbar; Poise Design; and Salim Azzam to design artistic pieces, inspired by the CCCL survivors. These pieces were auctioned during the event and the proceeds were raised for CCCL. Over the past six years, touch has managed to raise around $374,000 for the CCCL with the support of the Ministry of Telecommunications.
In her speech CCCL Chair Mrs. Nora Joumblatt said, “We would like to express our sincere thanks and appreciation to both touch and the Ministry of Telecommunications for their generous support to the Children’s Cancer Center of Lebanon through the years and through this unique event… and we also would like to thank the artists for their innovations in support of our kids at the CCCL. “
Commenting on the initiative, touch CEO Emre Gurkan said, “We have partnered with CCCL in our mission to leave a positive touch in the Lebanese society. We are humbled by their noble cause and remain committed to offering them our continued support. “Be Their Light” is yet another worthy manifestation of this great partnership that we shall carry forward.”
The Minister of Telecommunications Jamal Al Jarrah announced that the support for the Children’s Cancer Center of Lebanon (CCCL) will be raised to US$150,000 in 2018. His Excellency praised touch’s strategic decision to support humanitarian causes that contribute to social development and said, “We encourage the support of such worthy causes that are of great benefit to the society. There is nothing more worthy than saving a child’s life and elevating a family’s suffering, positively affecting society.” His Excellency stressed that the Ministry of Telecommunications, touch and Zain Group will continue to stand by the center and support it every way possible.
touch’s self-care app has already exceeded 700,000 downloads and is currently the highest rated telecom self-care app in the region on Google Play. Upon accessing the app, a user has an option to light a candle for the CCCL children in exchange for an amount of $1, $5, $10, $15, or $20, which is deducted from the customer’s credit on prepaid lines or added to the bill of postpaid lines holders. The money generated is then donated to the CCCL.
About touch
touch is the leading mobile operator in Lebanon, managed by Zain Group, the pioneering mobile and data services operator in the Middle East and Africa. In the last thirteen years of operations under Zain’s management, touch has had many success stories, providing cutting-edge services and technology to its consumers.
Drawing from Zain’s regional expertise providing telecommunication and mobile data services to 50 million users, touch has devised and adopted a consumer-centric strategy. touch’s range of services and its 3.9G and 4.5G coverage of all Lebanese territories has allowed it to gain a 54% wireless telecommunication market share in Lebanon. touch employs specialized and competent Lebanese personnel that aims to provide the latest in telecommunication services and products to the local community to help it grow in a more sustainable way.
touch, with the backing of Zain and its cooperation with the Lebanese Ministry of Telecommunications, dedicates all its resources to keeping up with the latest in telecom and mobile data. It offers a 24/7 call center service to cater to the need of its customers for uninterrupted connection.
touch values the local community, perceiving it as a major partner; its mission and vision reflect a dedication to humanitarian, social, and cultural causes, as well as creativity and innovation, which it considers integral to advancing its social responsibility program.
For more, please visit www.touch.com.lb; www.facebook.com/touchlebanon; www.twitter.com/touchlebanon www.instagram.com/touchlebanon; www.youtube.com/touchlebanon; www.linkedin.com/company/touch-lebanon
About the Children’s Cancer Center of Lebanon (CCCL):
The Children’s Cancer Center of Lebanon (CCCL) is a regional center pioneering in the treatment of children with cancer: at no cost to their parents and with complete dependency on donations.
Affiliated with St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee; and thanks to the rigorous research of doctors at the American University of Beirut Medical Center, the average cure rate reaches 80%!
Inaugurated in April 2002, the CCCL has treated over 1,450 children with cancer from all over Lebanon and the Arab region; and offered around 4,000 consultations. The treatment usually lasts for 3 years, costing around 55,000 USD a year for each patient.
For more information please visit: www.cccl.org.lb or call– 01-351515 / 70-351515or visit: Facebook, Instagram and Twitter: @CCCLebanon.