Muscat – Members of Muscat Quilt Guild presented a cheque of RO6,000 to Oman Cancer Association (OCA) at its headquarters on Tuesday. Every year, the group undertakes quilting projects to raise money for various causes and has been a supporter of OCA’s cancer awareness programmes.

“Cancer awareness has come a long way from the past. It is no longer a taboo topic, and people everywhere support the cause. From helping the children in Dar al Hanan to setting up our mobile mammography unit for free breast cancer screening, Muscat Quilt Guild has always supported our association. Support from such organisations has been useful in spreading cancer awareness among the public,” said Sheikh Soud Hamed Salim al Rawahi, vice-president of OCA.

Muna Fareed, a senior member of the guild, informed that the group conducts charity raffle draws annually, where some of the pieces – including a big quilt made every year – go to a few lucky winners. “This is done to raise money for various causes, and also given to OCA,” she said.

“Since the outbreak of COVID-19, our group has connected every month through Zoom to learn new techniques and designs. The pandemic has not stopped our work, and meeting through an online space has been just as fun and efficient as meeting in person,” Muna added.

According to Batool Mohammed Hassan, a committee member of the guild, it started as a group of ladies who just wanted to pursue a shared hobby. “We have been quilting and donating to charities for the past nine years,” she said, adding that it will continue to donate to OCA as long as their community is intact.

(Contributed by Akshaya Pavanje)