Pink knights gallop ahead
umm al quwain — When the Pink Caravan ride first took off seven years ago, volunteers had to go door to door trying to spread breast cancer awareness. Now, people line up at hospitals to get screened for the disease, Lize De Jonge, manager of the campaign, has said.
Jonge said the campaign has come a long way since when it first started. The drive has successfully busted myths and taboo associated with the disease.
Jones was speaking to Khaleej Times as the Pink Caravan Ride reached Umm Al Quwain on Sunday. “People used to think breast cancer only existed in women. They didn’t know so much about it. It was difficult before. We would be going door to door educating people. Now, if you see the hospitals, people are already there waiting in line for the Pink Caravan. They are ready to get screenings,” Jonge said.
“One of the areas we wanted to shed light on was that men can also get breast cancer. Today, we have an increasing number of men turning up for screenings.”
Jones said one of the reasons the campaign uses horses is because the animal is “masculine” and it “encourages men” to get screenings.
The campaign also organises activities for children so that the entire family can get involved. It also travels to hospitals, mosques and schools to raise awareness.
“We try to select these kinds of places because it helps attract community members. These are the places where you’d find the residents,” she said.
After years of campaigning and breaking down barriers across the UAE, the Pink Caravan initiative has also received attention from other countries, according to Jonge.
“We have had requests from Canada and Australia to take the initiative over there. They saw how great we have done and how far we have come and they requested to take it over there,” Jonge said.
Up to 2,421 screenings have been done so far — 304 males and 2,117 females. These included 543 locals and 1,878 expats, officials said.
Reem BinKaram, Chairperson of the Pink Caravan’s Higher Organising Committee, said: “We are grateful to our partners who are working tirelessly to further our mission — something that has transformed the Pink Caravan’s essence from being just an awareness campaign into a bigger initiative of collective goodness and selfless giving.”
People used to think breast cancer only existed in women. They didn’t know so much about it. It was difficult before. We would be going door to door educating people.” Lize De Jonge, manager, Pink Caravan campaign