Sharjah: More than 6,000 people were screened during the Pink Caravan breast cancer awareness campaign last year, and five women were diagnosed with the disease. This year, the campaign aims to reach more people during its 10-day ride.
With over 150 well-trained riders, the Pink Caravan Ride 2015 will kick off in Sharjah on March 16, passing through all seven emirates, and will wrap up its tour in Abu Dhabi on March 25.
A team of over 100 student doctors and medical staff will accompany the riders and carry out free breast cancer examinations to community members, said Liz De Jonge, programme manager at FoCP.
The team will also spread public awareness by distributing educational brochures and hold lectures and workshops on how to perform self-examination.
“Breast cancer endangers the lives of many people, irrespective of gender, nationality and race, as its physical and psychological effects pose a grave threat to cancer patients and their families and the entire community,” said Shaikha Jawaher Bint Mohammad Al Qasimi. wife of His Highness Dr Shaikh Sultan Bin Mohammad Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah.
Shaikha Jawaher is the founder and Royal Patron of the Friends of Cancer Patients Society (FoCP), International Ambassador of the World Cancer Declaration for Union for International Cancer Control (UICC) and International Ambassador for Childhood Cancer for UICC.
In its fifth edition, the ride will cover 337km and will include 30 stops to offer free screenings across the seven emirates. “The ride will take place on highways, past schools, busy roads and traffic circles. We are working together with police, authorities, and logistics experts to make sure it’s safe,” said De Jonge.
New events
Two new events will be included in this year’s ride. The first, ‘From burj to burj,’ is set to gather top CEOs from companies across the UAE who will ride the horses from Burj Khalifa to Emaar Boulevard, down Jumeirah Beach Road and to Burj Al Arab, De Jonge said.
The second event will include the country’s top 10 jockeys who will ride the entire arch of the palm starting from Rixos Hotel to the One and Only Royal Mirage Hotel. Nakheel has also adopted the Pink Caravan and will be turning the palm pink during the 10-day event.
“The ride will take place from 10am to 4.30-5pm every day, with water stops every 5-6km as a cooling break for the horses and the riders,” said De Jonge.
She pointed out that with an overwhelming response from the community in previous years, areas such as Kalba and Fujairah are expected to show an exceptional turnout once again.
So far, the Pink Caravan has offered free screenings to 29,000 women and men throughout the country, and has diagnosed a total of 21 women and one man with breast cancer over five years.
“We do expect to find some positive cancer cases. If they do not have insurance, they will become one of our patients at FoCP and we will then facilitate treatment.”
The ride will kick off at 12.45pm on March 16 from the Sharjah Equestrian and Racing Club. It will make multiple stops in each emirate, including City Centre Fujairah, Oceanic Khor Fakkan Resort, Umm Al Quwain Hospital, Meydan Hotel in Dubai, and many more. Mobile clinics will also work throughout the 10-day ride, from 7am-9pm, in selective locations in each emirate.
