Dubai: A massive crowd of 12,000 people turned up early morning on Friday at Burjuman to take part in the largest walk in the UAE to help spread awareness and provide support for breast cancer patients.
People were treated to live entertainment as they waited to register early in the morning for the 3.6 km walk. With each adult charged Dh50 and a child Dh30 to participate in the event, organisers expect a huge amount to be raised when the final tally is done later on Friday. The entertainment for families included a Pink Bazaar, live band, free drumming and breakfast offers.
“This has been the highest level of participation,” Sabina Khandwani, spokesperson for the campaign told Gulf News. She said the money raised will provide for free mammograms and help provide support for breast cancer patients and educate women. “It’s important to keep reminding the target audience,” she said.
Breast cancer is a major killer in the UAE despite the fact that early intervention can easily save lives, doctors said earlier. They advise a yearly mammogram for women over 40 years and regular self-checks for young women.
In the UAE, cancer is prevalent among women 10 years younger than the world average. But the good news is that more women are becoming aware of the need to take care of themselves.
“It is still a taboo subject among older Emirati women but they are learning from the younger generation in their families,” an oncologist earlier told Gulf News.
October is the month of spreading awareness about breast cancer and many primary health care centres and private hospitals in the UAE are decked in pink. Many health centres also offer discounts for a mammogram check. Breast cancer tests are not covered by health insurance.
Khandwani said that every step taken today was for a good cause and will help someone. Many breast cancer survivors took part in the walkathon and some participants had family members who died of cancer.
