This particular mug, adorned with the emblem of the renowned Oxford University, was auctioned off with the noble intention of funding the enhancement of surgical facilities within a hospital situated in the war-torn Gaza Strip.
Heba Rashed, founder of Mersal and the mug's owner, started the charity auction as a pivotal component of the organization's ongoing commitment to revitalizing the healthcare infrastructure within the strip, especially after the recent ceasefire between Israel and Hamas.

"Since the ceasefire has taken effect, I have pondered over the most valuable possession I can contribute to aid the war survivors in Gaza. Remarkably, I have identified nothing more precious than my morning coffee mug which I acquired while pursuing my master's degree in healthcare leadership at the esteemed University of Oxford in the UK,” Rashed said in an interview with the BBC.
Originally conceived to be sold to a solitary bidder, the auction took an unforeseen turn when an outpouring of support from hundreds of donors materialized, each contributing substantial sums, transforming it into a burgeoning financial donation campaign.
Mersal Foundation operates under the umbrella of the National Alliance, an Egyptian initiative established with the core objective of dispatching aid caravans to support the Palestinian population in Gaza.

Mersal is a health charity NGO that provides free treatment to all nationalities without prejudice, including refugees. It treats any patient, regardless of how severe their condition is. Moreover, it does not resort to advertising to keep its patients’ data completely confidential.
It carries out various healthcare campaigns to support patients with specific diseases, such as its prolonged Story of a Voice campaign that funds cochlear implant surgeries for children in need.
Officially established in 2015, Mersal has several branches in Cairo and Alexandria, the two main cities in Egypt, but it also operates nationwide.
The organization’s activities and scope expanded enormously in recent years, drawing attention locally and internationally and garnering acclaim due to the principles that govern its activities.
In a recent statement issued by the World Health Organization (WHO), it was revealed that less than half of the hospitals in Gaza are currently operational, with critical healthcare infrastructure remaining a target of ongoing attacks.
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