H.E. Markus Leitner, the Swiss ambassador in Cairo, and MR. Nabil Nassar, the Chairman of the Swiss Egyptian Business Association, honored Prof. Dr. Mohamed Shaalan, the Professor of Surgical Oncology and the founder of the Breast Cancer Foundation of Egypt. BCFE is considered as the first and the largest association in the field of fighting against breast cancer in Egypt and due to its leading role in changing the culture of community towards breast cancer as well as providing awareness for all women, and also, in affording treatment and rehabilitation services for patients with breast cancer.

This reverence came in the context of a gala dinner which was characterized by the 1970s atmosphere and hosted by the Swiss Embassy and the Swiss Egyptian Businessmen Association (SEBA) to combat breast cancer in Egypt with the cooperation of the Breast Cancer Foundation of Egypt.

The Swiss Ambassador said that communities can’t achieve progress and economy can’t be nourished without the empowerment of women and bringing attention to their health rights. He added "it is a great pleasure and a pride for the Swiss Embassy, the Swiss Egyptian Businessmen Association and the Swiss community to support this year in combating breast cancer in Egypt, also in providing assistance to the Breast Cancer Foundation of Egypt regarding to its effectiveness, distinguished role and its inveterate reputation as the first leading NGO in combating this disease in Egypt ".

Dr. Shaalan spoke about the Breast Cancer Foundation of Egypt achievements since its inception in 2004. Also, he talked about its outstanding role which is not only concentrating on the charity level but also involve the development filed through providing women with necessary knowledge about the disease, diagnosis services, early detection and the importance of empowering patients to let them engage into social life and rehabilitate them psychologically and physically in order to live in a normal way.

Further, Ms. Ghada Salah, the Director of the Women's Health Center Foundation and a breast cancer survivor, said that this disease has brought out her inside positive energy, pushed her to be more interactive with the community and encouraged her to contribute to community services by providing support to breast cancer patients and raising awareness. She also, described the recovery from breast cancer as an exorcism of a genie from Aladdin's magic lantern.

The ceremony was attended by a huge number of diplomatic personalities, businessmen, artists and other public figures, including "Dr. Sahar Nasr" the Minister of International Cooperation, "Dr. Ghada Wali" the Minister of Social Solidarity," Dr. Hala El Said" the Dean of the Faculty of Economics and Political Science at Cairo University and board member of the Central Bank of Egypt, "Mr. Munir Zahid" the Chairman and the Chief Executive Officer of Bank of Cairo, "Mr. Mohamed Mahmoud El-Etribi" the Chairman of Bank of Egypt and the actresses "Kinda Alloush" and "Shereen Reda". Moreover, among people who contributed in organizing this event, "Ms. Madiha Nasr" the Swiss embassy commercial attache and "Ms. Manar Nasrallah" the executive director of the Swiss Egyptian Businessmen Association. The event was revived by the singer "Rula Zaki" and " Australian Bee Gees" show .