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HSBC Jordan continues to Support King Hussein Cancer Foundation's "Dreams Come True" Programme

HSBC Bank Middle East Limited - Jordan recognizes the valuable contribution being made by the King Hussein Cancer Foundation (KHCF) in the field of cancer treatment and supporting underprivileged patients. To that end, and for the second consecutive year, HSBC supported KHCF's Dreams Come True Programme.

KHCF Director General, HRH Princess Dina Mired, thanked HSBC Bank Jordan for their generous contribution, and explained that the Dreams Come True Programme is a fundamental element in KHCF's quest to provide comprehensive care to patients at the King Hussein Cancer Foundation (KHCF).

The programme offers patients various forms of entertainment such as birthday parties, end- of-treatment celebrations and visits by local celebrities. Through the Dreams Come True Programme, young patients are given the opportunity to have even their smallest desires fulfilled. It gives children and young adults both hope and encouragement as they bravely fight their battle with cancer.

An additional initiative being supported by HSBC Jordan for the second year is the Coin Collection Boxes Initiative. In all HSBC branches, KHCF coin collection boxes are placed in which donations are encouraged from bank staff and customers. The boxes have been placed at teller windows, entrances and exits, as well as other focal points throughout waiting areas.

The 'Friends of KHCC programme, another HSBC initiative in partnership with KHCF, for the second year, is an employee program which deducts a designated amount of money from staff salaries on a monthly basis. The programme has proven to be a success at HSBC, and will continue through the support and generosity of HSBC staff.

Donations made through all of these programmes support KHCF in providing state-of-the-art comprehensive cancer care, services and life-saving cancer treatments to the citizens of Jordan and the region. Over the past two years, HSBC's support to KHCF has been unwavering, helping to ease the burden of treatments through special programmes, as well as generating collective awareness about this disease in order to improve the quality of life for cancer patients in Jordan.

The CEO of HSBC Jordan, Karen Adams, commented on this continuing initiative saying, "One of HSBC Jordan's aims through supporting KHCF is to raise awareness in the local community given the prevalence of cancer and its effect on Jordanians of all ages. Together, we can make a difference."

For more information, please contact:

Maria Qsous
Marketing Associate
Tel: +962 5507000 ext.430

Ms. Rawan Khoury
Senior Coordinator of PR and Media
King Hussein Cancer Foundation
Tel: 5544960, Fax 5544962

Notes to editors:

HSBC Bank Middle East Limited:

HSBC is the largest and most widely represented international bank in the Middle East. HSBC Bank Middle East Limited has 33 branches throughout the United Arab Emirates, Oman, Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait, Jordan, Lebanon and the Palestinian Autonomous Area, including an offshore banking unit in Bahrain. This extensive regional coverage is strengthened by another member of the HSBC Group HSBC Bank Egypt SAE, and by its associated companies, the Saudi British Bank and British Arab Commercial Bank Limited.

The King Hussein Cancer Foundation:

Established in 1997, the King Hussein Cancer Foundation is the legal umbrella organization responsible for the King Hussein Cancer Center, the Foundations medical arm. The Foundation is a non-governmental, not-for-profit organization run by a Board of Trustees comprised of prominent volunteers and chaired by HRH Princess Ghida Talal.

KHCC is the first medical hospital in Jordan and the fourth in the region to be accredited by the Joint Commission of Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO). It is also the only medical center in the region and only the sixth in the world, to achieve the new valuable accreditation as a "disease specific" Cancer Center from JCAHO. KHCC works to deliver the latest in comprehensive cancer care to patients keeping it at the forefront of both treatment and clinical research. KHCC also actively promotes awareness and educational programs in order to decrease mortality and alleviate suffering from cancer with the highest ethical standards and quality of care.

HSBC Bank continues to Support SOS Children's Village in Irbid

HSBC Bank Middle East Limited-Jordan continues to cover the running expenses of the HSBC House in the SOS village in Irbid . Karen Adams, Chief Executive Officer of HSBC Jordan, presented the annual cheque to Lina Mulla, the SOS National Director in Jordan. This was the first visit made by the new HSBC Jordan CEO to the SOS Children's Village, and the children of the village inagurated the festivities with a traditional Jordanian "Dabkeh" and a welcome note by the Village Director.

The donation was made during a visit to the village by a group of HSBC staff on Saturday 15 of November 2008, gifts were presented to the children at the house. In addtion, a special gift was presented to the house.

"HSBC Bank is enthusiastic to support the local communities in the countries in which it operates. Given the care and support dedicated to underprivileged children by the SOS in Jordan, we are pleased to make this annual donation", said Mrs.Adams.

HSBC Bank Middle East Limited Foundation funded the construction of the HSBC House in October 1999, and looks forward to continuing its support for SOS in Jordan.

HSBC Supports the Jordan River Foundation Family Support Line

Recognizing an outlet for family and children support, HSBC Bank Middle East Limited Jordan has supported the Family Support Line "110 for family and children" which is implemented through Jordan River Foundation's various programmes.

The line, which was set up in 2007, is completely free, and is open 24 hours a day to help. Children and mothers alike can call this line to talk to professionals about the maltreatment they have endured, and what can be done about it. In addition, this line cannot be detected on the families' monthly phone bill to protect those involved. So far, the support line has received a total of 1773 calls requesting support about abuse related issues. These cases have been referred to the appropriate professionals who have handled the cases with complete confidentiality.

The overall aim of the line is to raise awareness among those who are going through abuse that there is help to be received, in addition to reaching as many people as possible in Jordan. The help line provides three services consultation and therapy, personal advice and support in addition to transferring each case to the proper public or private agencies that can handle the case given. Ultimately, it will empower children and families to promote and protect the well-being of children in Jordan.

HSBC, committed to supporting youth in Jordan, recognises that this initiative by the Jordan River Foundation can reach out to those most in need of emotional and mental support.