On October 10, 2026, the UAE Embassy joined thousands of walkers and volunteers at National Harbor in Oxon Hill, Maryland, to support the Susan G. Komen DMV Tri-State MORE THAN PINK Walk. This annual walk helps increase fundraising for breast cancer research while raising awareness and support for the thousands of individuals who fight breast cancer every year. The 2026 event marked the tenth year the Embassy has partnered with Susan G. Komen, reflecting the UAE’s commitment to advancing public health and medical research. But its efforts extend beyond Susan G. Komen. Over the years, the UAE Embassy has donated time and resources to several hospitals and healthcare centers.
For Ambassador Yousef Al Otaiba, the partnerships reflect a broader commitment to improving health outcomes through collaboration between the UAE and leading American medical institutions. This article outlines the UAE’s medical partnerships and the Ambassador’s continued collaborations.
MORE THAN PINK Walk: Bringing Communities Together in the Fight Against Breast Cancer
The 2026 MORE THAN PINK Walk brought together survivors, patients, families, healthcare advocates and community members to support people affected by breast cancer. To date, the 2026 Walk raised over $600,000 to hit the $800,000 year-end goal. This fundraising will help advance research, expand access to screening and treatment, provide patient support services and promote education and advocacy.
The UAE Embassy dedicated volunteers to the 2026 MORE THANK PINK Walk, showcasing its on-going commitment to Susan G. Komen. A tent was set up to support the walkers, which included handing out different UAE Embassy merchandise. The partnership demonstrates how community engagement can complement scientific research and healthcare initiatives by raising awareness, encouraging early detection and helping connect patients with resources. By supporting the event, the Embassy helps strengthen a shared effort to address one of the most significant public health challenges affecting women and families in the United States (US) and around the world.
Advancing Cancer Research Through UAE-US Partnerships
The Embassy’s support for breast cancer awareness is only one part of the UAE investment in medical research and specialized care in the US. The UAE Embassy supports major medical research initiatives at Johns Hopkins Medicine, including the Sheikh Zayed Cardiovascular and Critical Care Tower in Baltimore and the Sheikh Khalifa Stroke Institute. Additionally, the UAE Embassy has a long-standing relationship with:
- Brigham and Women Hospital / Dana Farber Cancer Institute
- The Cleveland Clinic Foundation
- University of Chicago Hospitals
- Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center
- Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia
- Shirley Ryan AbilityLab
- Children’s National Hospital
These collaborations underscore a sustained commitment to strengthening medical capabilities, supporting researchers and expanding access to advanced treatment.
A Broader Commitment to Medical Innovation and Patient Care
Ambassador Al Otaiba is a long-standing advocate of healthcare initiatives, having signed partnerships with all of the aforementioned medical facilities. However, the Ambassador and his wife, Abeer Al Otaiba, have a particular connection with the Children’s National in Washington, D.C. In December 2014, they co-chaired the hospital’s annual fundraising ball, helping raise $10.9 million for pediatric care and research.
Through the UAE Embassy, he has also supported Children’s National Sheikh Zayed Institute for Pediatric Surgical Innovation and the Children’s National Research & Innovation Campus, helping advance research and the development of new treatments for children. Additionally, the UAE and the hospital have expanded their collaboration through professorships in prenatal pediatrics and bioengineering.
Strengthening Cooperation to Improve Lives
From community fundraising walks to investments in specialized research facilities, these initiatives demonstrate the importance of sustained collaboration in addressing public health challenges. The UAE Embassy’s partnership with Susan G. Komen is a strong example of connecting community awareness with a commitment to medical progress, patient support and positive health outcomes.
Through partnerships with American healthcare institutions, the UAE Embassy continues to support efforts that advance scientific discovery and help patients and families facing serious illnesses. The 2026 MORE THAN PINK Walk served as another opportunity to bring communities together around a shared goal: a future with better treatments, greater support and a world without breast cancer.
Visit the Susan G. Komen website to make a donation.
Learn more about how the UAE supports healthcare initiatives both in the United States and around the globe.