UAE | General
Blog: A pink Dubai walk for cancer victims
Gulf News Deputy Web Editor Linda George joins hundreds in Dubai in a walk to support breast cancer victims around the world.
- By Linda George, Deputy Web Editor
- Published: 08:03 October 17, 2008
- Donning a pink hat in support of the campaign.
- Image Credit: Ahmed Ramzan/Gulf News
Gulf News Deputy Web Editor Linda George joins hundreds in Dubai in a walk to support breast cancer victims around the world. She blogs live about her experience.
10:25am
I'm inside the BurJuman mall to join the hundreds of people in pink who are here to grab some breakfast. I'm resting my feet and sipping a tall glass of juice...and chatting with total strangers who seem like friends I have known for years…
Video: Click here to watch the Pink Marathon
There are giant pink elephant mascots standing and welcoming people. Many people are trying to get souvenirs, like pink bracelets and pashminas. I got souvenirs for everyone.I'm beginning to see everything, including the water fountain, in shades of pink. Could it be a head rush? Nah, it has to be the spirit of the day!
Everyone is chatting simultaneously and many are exchanging telephone numbers. All the women here have come into an agreement that we are not going to let cancer enter our lives, and if ever it does, we are not going to let it stay for long. Life is way too precious for that!
I have to head home in a minute, saying a prayer of thanks and leaving the magic of things behind. Let all the things here remind us that we will find a cure for cancer some day - for our mums', sisters', daughters' sake. I can feel that song coming back on again…
9:30am
The walk is over and we are back outside BurJuman now. People don't look that tired, but are happy to get facial wipes that are being given out. Everyone looks ready to grab breakfast. I need fresh juice!
Everyone looks cool and like they are having fun. Plenty of people are posing for photos. Some have even gotten on the buggies to pose. I have plenty of pictures that I will post on the website soon.
9:11am
I am walking on Bank Street in Bur Dubai right now. People are dancing on the street to the beat of the drums. Most women have begun to tie their hair up because it is getting a little hot. Everyone has their water bottles out.
There are a lot of people on the streets or trying to have a look at the walkathon from the entrance of their buildings. Many onlookers are waving at us from their balconies. I think the children have begun to feel tired because the dads have begun to carry them on their shoulders.
I bumped into into a little girl called Emma. She's in a pram. She's about three years, I think. I went and spoke to her, she gave me a baby five and told me in the most adorable way: "Think pink!"
Some are panting a little now, but the spirit here is amazing! One little boy has just chastised some photographers for jaywalking. Oh oh!
8:45am
The walk is underway. We are now in front of the Centrepoint Apartments in Bur Dubai. There are a lot of people waving at us from their balconies, and drivers are stopping their cars and tooting their horns to show support.
I thought I'd crash doing this walk, but thankfully I haven't! There's euphoria here and every body is talking to everybody else, it's like we've come for a college reunion! I can see a sea of happy, smiling faces.
Everyone I've met so far is talking about a man with breast cancer. All women passing by are wondering if he is here and if they could meet him.
I just spoke to a woman named Maria who survived breast cancer. She said her four children were very young when she was first diagnosed, but they were very supportive, especially her three boys. She said they were told that Mommy had an owwie and that was why she was wearing a wig. The three lads would take turns changing the diapers of their younger sister...
We are still walking and there are a lot of taxi drivers who have stopped to watch what is happening. There are also police patrols around. Some construction workers are now recording the walk with their mobile phone cameras. One site worker has just turned on a welding machine to show his support and the women are laughing and waving back at him.
Journalists were here earlier to ask the kids what they were here for. The little girls I met had a propah answer ready 'To do our bit for breast cancer'. The little boys paused a second before replying, "To walk!"
8:15am
The mood is festive, with the drummers from Dubai Drums making people rock to their beat! There's a huge crowd here now - and lots of journalists! A band is playing and everyone is cheering.
I just spoke to a family who said they had to wake up at 4 am to join the walkathon because they live in Al Ain and had to drive down. They are joining the walkathon because they had an aunt who died of breast cancer three years ago.
7:52am
I love pink month. There can't be enough pink in the stores; or enough pink products around. This is the Pink Walkathon for you.
It's a glorious, sunny, Dubai day. I'm at the BurJuman shopping mall in Bur Dubai. There are tons of people here. I'm surprised that there are a lot of kids around, especially babies in prams! A lot of people are getting their faces painted.
There's even a cute dog with a pink ribbon tied around his neck - I think he's the star here right now! Oh, there is another dog with a pink bandanna. Looks like this is going to be fun…
People have been handing out bottles of water and pink hats. Many are still registering for the walkathon. There's a cluster of balloons, which I think they are going to release any minute now. I can feel a song coming on, watching all the excitement here!
Your comments
I was not able to make it but as a cancer patient myself, I am very grateful to those who participated and supported the walkathon. It is nice to know so many cares. A million thanks!
Remedios O. Alcazar
Dubai,UAE
Posted: October 18, 2008, 11:46
Back home in the Philippines I was active in supporting this cause and I was very happy to be a part of the walkathon yesterday. I just wish we could also have the facilities and get the same kind of support in the Philippines as there's also a very high incidence of cancer there.
Emma
Dubai,Philippines
Posted: October 18, 2008, 09:44
Thank you organisers for giving us a chance to participate in this event.
As my mother is suffering from breast cancer and is admitted in a hospital, I feel happy that I participated in this campaign and supported it. Thanks.
L. Roy
Abu Dhabi,UAE
Posted: October 18, 2008, 09:02
A very touching and educative experience. My young daughter could learn about the the danger called breast cancer. She got herself exposed to the universal community, that stood as one in the fight against breast cancer. A lovely, lively and emotional experience. The first time for me and my family and we wish to continue this for long. Good work done by Gulf news and all the agencies involved. Best wishes for the next event.
B.S.Rao
Sharjah,India
Posted: October 18, 2008, 08:55
Very touching. Years ago, when I was a little boy myself, I knew a lady who suffered from, and finally, was a victim to breast cancer. Now having suffered from cancer of esophagus and undergone a surgery, I can understand what it is to suffer and, more important, to survive cancer. Cheers to all those Great Survivors.
Suneel Hattangadi
Mumbai,India
Posted: October 17, 2008, 17:19
Beautiful and touching.
Haji KJ
Kozhikode,India
Posted: October 17, 2008, 16:14
I came back home now after my walk. it was beautiful. Lovely event. My nan died of breast cancer and my mum nursed her through it all, so its very personal for me. Thank you very much Gulf News for covering this.
Suzanne Jackson
Dubai,UAE
Posted: October 17, 2008, 13:39
I was there at Bur Juman with my parents and my 2yr old son to take part in the Walkathon as it was for a great cause. Enjoyed the walk and was completely amazed at the number of people present there. I am proud to say that I was a part of the walkathon. It was a stunning sight to see all the pink balloons risin high in the air, I was enjoying the band ! My son enjoyed too . The whole spirit was amazing there!!!
Lanzia Basheer
Dubai,United Arab Emirates
Posted: October 17, 2008, 12:23
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