Wellness First: Real Talk on Women's Health & Cancer

Wednesday, 8 October 2025
9:30 AM - 1:30 PM
Al Jalila Foundation | Building 12 | Dubai Healthcare City

As women, we often show up for everyone else, but not always for ourselves. This morning is about changing that. Hear from doctors, survivors, and experts on what to look for, when to get checked, and how to make your health a priority.

Why This Morning Matters

We show up for our teams, families, and businesses, but rarely for our own health.

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, but looking after ourselves isn’t something we should do once a year.

This morning is different. There's no slides, no lectures, only real conversations that will push you to think, act, and prioritise your health in a way that sticks.

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Why Attend

For You

  • Make time for your health without guilt. Take this morning to step back and focus on what really matters.
  • Learn what to look out for, when to get checked, and where to go for answers.
  • Get practical ways to build healthier habits that fit into a busy life, not someone else’s version of wellness.
  • Rethink how your work or business supports your overall wellbeing.
  • Make a personal commitment to your long-term health.

Community Action
This October, we’re asking everyone attending to make a donation to a fund with Al Jalila Foundation that helps cover cancer treatment for women who can’t afford it.

What You'll Experience

Real Stories From Survivors

  • Hear from Jen Blandos and other women who’ve faced cancer, what they learned, what helped, and what they want you to know.

Straight Talk From Experts

Jen’s care team and other health professionals will share:

  • What to check and when
  • Where to go for support
  • Balancing health at work and at home

Simple Wellness Strategies

  • Clear ways to build better habits without overhauling your life.
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Agenda

  • 9:30 – 10:00 AM: Registration & Welcome Coffee
  • 10:00 – 10:15 AM: Opening & Community Welcome
    • Welcome by Lamya Gabr, Al Jalila Foundation
    • Grounding the day in purpose and partnership
  • 10:15 – 10:45 AM: Real Talk – Leading Through Cancer
    An honest conversation about navigating life and work during treatment
    Speakers: Jen Blandos, Dr Shaheenah Dawood, Dr Annett Al Hamadi

  • 10:45 - 11:00 AM: Stories of Strength with Yasmin Hussain
    Personal stories from women who’ve lived it – and what they want you to know

  •  11:00 - 11:30 AM: Your Health Is Your Business
    What every woman needs to know about prevention and early detection
    Speakers: Dr Heidi Kussmann, Brittany Beltram, Dr Bashayer Alnajjar

  •  11:30 AM - 12:00 PM: Connection Break

  • 12:00 – 12:15 PM: Morning Meditation
    A guided pause to reset, reflect, and reconnect with yourself with Nancy Zabaneh

  •  12:15 PM – 12:30 PM: Stories of Strength
    Leading After Cancer with Stephanie Neuhold: From survivor to mentor – rebuilding confidence at work

  •  12:30 – 1:15 PM: Small Steps, Big Impact
    How you can take action, for yourself and others
    Speakers: Julie Mallon, Dr Bashayer Alnajjar, Brittany Beltram 

  •  1:15 – 1:30 PM: Networking & Closing
    Final connections, conversations, and gratitude

**A quick note on dress code: We kindly ask all attendees to dress respectfully in line with UAE culture, please cover shoulders and knees. Thank you for helping us keep the event welcoming for everyone.

Your Impact Matters

Together, we can fund real care for women who need it.

Every woman deserves access to cancer treatment, but not everyone can afford it.

This October, your donation will go directly to Al Jalila Foundation’s fund “Be a Lifeline for Women with Cancer.”

We’re asking every attendee to donate
AED 50 or more. Every dirham supports women who cannot afford essential treatment, with 100% of donations funding screenings, care, and recovery.

DONATE NOW

Meet Your Hosts

Jen Blandos | Female Fusion

Jen is the founder and CEO of Female Fusion. After being diagnosed with breast cancer twice, most recently in 2025, she’s become a strong advocate for making women’s health a priority.

As she finishes chemotherapy this September, she’s using her voice and platform to encourage real conversations, early checks, and community-led support.

Lamya Gabr | Majlis Al Amal

Lamya manages Majlis Al Amal, a drop-in centre by Al Jalila Foundation supporting women living with cancer.

Drawing on her own experience with breast cancer, she brings a deep understanding of what women need, creating a safe and supportive space for connection, care, and community.

Who You’ll Hear From

Leading Through Cancer

So many people asked Jen what it was really like to face cancer, from diagnosis to treatment and everything in between. In this conversation with Dr Shaheenah Dawood and Dr Annett Al Hamadi, she shares the inside experience alongside practical guidance on what to look for, when to ask for help, and why early action matters.

Dr Shaheenah Dawood

Dr Shaheenah Dawood is a consultant medical oncologist and professor of Clinical Oncology with nearly 20 years of international experience. She trained at McGill University, completed a breast cancer fellowship at MD Anderson Cancer Center, and holds a Master’s in Public Health from Harvard. She leads the Oncology Research Programme at Mediclinic City Hospital, and has published over 100 papers. She was awarded the Emirati Contributor Award for pioneering work in precision oncology in the Gulf.

Dr Annett Al Hamadi

Dr. Annett Al Hamadi is a consultant oncoplastic breast surgeon based at Mediclinic City Hospital, with over 20 years of experience in treating all forms of breast disease. She is deeply committed to supporting women through every step of their breast cancer journey, from diagnosis to treatment and reconstruction. Her approach combines expert surgical care with evidence-based medicine, always centred around open, compassionate conversations and personalised decision-making.

Your Health Is Your Business

In this session, Dr Heidi Kussmann and Brittany Beltram share practical ways to take care of yourself through nutrition, habits, and lifestyle choices that fit into a busy life, helping you protect your health for the long term.

Dr Heidi Kussmann

Dr Heidi is a Canadian-trained Naturopathic Practitioner with over 20 years of experience in integrative oncology. Based at Burjeel Medical City in Abu Dhabi, she combines evidence-based naturopathic care with oncology support, helping patients navigate treatment and recovery. She recently earned a Global Research Scholars Certificate from Harvard Medical School and is recognised for her patient-focused, ethical approach to care.

Brittany Beltram

Brittany is a yoga, Pilates, and strength training specialist with over 10 years of experience, holding certifications in performance nutrition and women’s health. In early 2025, she was diagnosed with Stage 2B ovarian cancer and has since undergone surgery and chemotherapy. She credits strength training and movement as key to her recovery, and now shares her journey to inspire women to prioritise both their health and resilience.

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Voices of Strength and Healing

A guided meditation to ground and reset, followed by powerful stories of resilience from women who’ve faced cancer, sharing what helped them, what they learned, and how we can all support ourselves and others through the journey.

Nancy Zabaneh

Nancy is a leading Arab wellness pioneer, counsellor, and trainer with decades of experience in Kundalini yoga, conscious leadership, and personal growth. She has trained thousands worldwide and is known for her authentic approach, blending ancient practices with modern methods to help individuals and communities build resilience and connection.

Yasmin Hussain

Yasmin Hussain is a creative entrepreneur, photographer, and founder of YH Studios and the Lipstick Makeup Institute. Diagnosed with breast cancer in 2020, she has become a passionate advocate for women in treatment, bringing Penguin Cold Cap to the UAE and regularly offering photoshoots and makeovers to women undergoing cancer treatment to lift spirits during recovery.

Stephanie Neuhold

Stephanie Neuhold is the Hotel Manager at Rove Dubai Marina, leading the 384-room property. A breast cancer survivor herself, Stephanie has made it her mission to host awareness sessions across communities and collaborate with organisations to support survivors. She is passionate about helping women regain confidence and a renewed mindset as they return to work and life.

Small Steps, Big Action

In our final session we’ll get you up and moving, try simple steps for better sleep, sustainable movement and a steadier mindset, then you’ll set a pledge and commit to it before you leave.

Julie Mallon - sleep

A certified Gentle Sleep Coach with 30+ years in frontline women’s and child health as a UK-trained Nurse, Midwife and Health Visitor. Julie translates sleep science into clear, practical routines, covering circadian rhythm, sleep pressure, light exposure, and recovery, so busy women (including those in treatment or caregiving roles) can improve sleep quality quickly and safely.

Brittany Beltram - Movement

After her fireside chat, Brittany returns to show how to build fitness habits that stick. A yoga, Pilates and strength specialist with 10+ years’ coaching, and lived experience recovering from Stage 2B ovarian cancer, she’ll share simple, sustainable practices you can start now so you leave with a routine and habits that you’ll keep. She’ll focus on making movement doable in real life, how to start small and progress safely.

Join us for the conversation

More experts and stories will be revealed in the weeks ahead - make sure you’re in the room.

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