Better known as the organizer of the renowned Dead Sea Ultra Marathon, the Society for Care of Neurological Patients (SCNP) is a non-profit and non-governmental organisation that is headed by His Royal Highness Prince Firas Bin Raad. It was founded in 1986 under the honorary patronage of His Royal Highness Prince Hassan to assist disadvantaged people suffering from neurological ailments who are in need of costly treatments. The SCNP offers financial help to such patients for necessary surgical procedures that enable them to live a normal life. The organisation also seeks to increase awareness of neurological diseases and traumas in Jordan, in order to garner greater support for its cause.

The cost of neurological surgeries in Jordan is high and rising. The success rates of operations, such as the removal of benign brain tumours or the insertion of VP shunts, are high, often leaving patients fit, healthy and able to return to normal life and to supporting their families. Unfortunately, due to economic reasons, many cannot afford these lifechanging surgeries. This is where the SCNP comes in, seeking to raise funds to cover the costs of operations for those in need who cannot afford the treatment.

While the SCNP was founded through an fund, the extremely high costs of the medical procedures covered by the society, and the increasing number of patients referred to it for assistance, lead to a rapid depletion of funds. Therefore the society relies on donations from individuals, organisations and private companies, as well as annual membership fees and fund raising activities to continue helping those in direct need. The Dead Sea Ultra Marathon is one of Jordan’s major running events and the main fundraising event for the SCNP. Since its inception in 1993 it has steadily gained in popularity over the years and today it is a world-class marathon that attracts professional and amateur runners from all around the world as well as from around Jordan. The marathon takes place on an annual basis, usually in April of each year, and sees thousands of participants of all ages run from the starting point in Amman down to the lowest point on earth, with the finish line at the Dead Sea.

While the Dead Sea marathon has a dedicated following, the SCNP recently introduced two more similar events to support its fundraising efforts. The Amman Half Marathon was inaugurated in 2003 with the participation of Her Majesty Queen Rania, and the Aqaba Marathon was introduced the following year. Both events have helped to encourage running amongst Jordanians and to attract participants from abroad to the country.

The role of the SCNP has gradually shifted from that of a charitable organization to a development one, as the society seeks to expand its support for the treatment of neurological patients and increase its reach.