Abu Dhabi: The death of a man's wife from skin cancer has spurred a cycling event to promote healthy living and raise awareness about health issues, organisers at HCT said.
A 50km Tour de Gharbiya Cycling 2012 takes place on February 16 and has been organised by the Higher Colleges of Technology (HCT).
The event, which runs every year, was initiated to fulfil a promise Sam Fatima, coordinator at HCT, made to his wife Lori who died from skin cancer in 2007.
As most families of cancer patients, Lori's suffering were not hers alone, it was shared by her family, friends and colleagues.
"My promise to Lori was to make information available for people searching for answers to help their loved ones, and ease the burden of families facing dreadful outcomes of a very serious and obscure disease," said Fatima.
As doctors provided care to Lori, Sam needed to know every aspect of the treatments, the side effects, the potential effectiveness, and to analyse whatever related information he could find in his frantic hopes for Lori's recovery.
‘Frustrating part'
"For every question doctors answered, many more came to my mind. No one has the luxury of a doctor at his beck and call, so I had to learn all I can to help Lori in every way. This was a frustrating part because information was limited, and it was not easy to identify which information really mattered," he said.
Sam organised the first cycling event, in 2008, from Abu Dhabi to Al Ain. The money raised was used to purchase cancer related books, which remain available for use at the HCT library.
Funds raised in the 2009 event, were used to print a 70-page booklet called Eating Hints, to educate families of cancer patients on what to expect, what their sick loved ones would feel and what to do at each phase.
Cancer patient Theresa Nasser began translating the book, but the disease did not give her the opportunity to complete it. Her daughter Najwa continued the task in her memory.
‘Sending a message'
The event has now become a health education campaign to raise awareness about not only cancer but the importance and benefits of eating right and making exercise a lifestyle habit.
More than 70 people took part in the 2011 event and the number is expected to go above 100 this year.
"This ride is my way to send a message to the community about the dangers of this disease, to get fit, and to encourage people to get regular exams because early detection may save lives," said Ahmad Hamadi, a student who has participated every year.
Health professionals will openly discuss issues facing the Emirati society such as diabetes which affects 22 per cent of the population, and obesity that is taking a strong hold on people of all ages and genders.
"I take part because I want to continue to lead a healthy lifestyle, to encourage and motivate my students to eat right and exercise regularly," said Dr Thea Zin Der Wastehuizen, a professor of business at HCT.
"I hope to inspire my students to lead a healthy lifestyle. Changing life-long habits of laziness is a rigorous process that can be altered by determination and understanding," said Dr Wastehuizen.
