pink caravan seeks medical volunteers
The ninth edition of the Pink Caravan cancer awareness initiative, which starts its countrywide journey on February 23, has called for medical volunteers.
sharjah — If you’re a doctor working in the UAE, then Pink Caravan needs your help. It has appealed to local and resident doctors to join their team of medical volunteers for the upcoming ninth edition of the nationwide breast cancer awareness ride.
The Pink Caravan, an initiative that advocates early detection of breast cancer, will be travelling around the country from February 23 to March 1 this year. It aims to set up a team of 200 individuals, featuring specialists in general medicine, family medicine and radiology, in addition to X-ray technicians and nurses.
Doctors, radiologists and nurses who wish to participate, may register at the caravan’s website (https://www.pinkcaravan.ae/dr-registration.php) before January 30. The team will be leading the Pink Caravan Ride (PCR) medical route, offering free consultations, ultrasound screenings and mammograms, and also hold awareness talks for the public.
Dr Sawsan Al Madhi, head of PCR’s medical and awareness committee, said: “In the past eight years, the PCR’s medical volunteers have offered over 56,000 free medical examinations across the seven emirates; diagnosed 61 positive cases; and educated thousands more on the need for regular self-examinations and screenings for timely detection and treatment of breast cancer.
“The contributions of PCR’s medical team in dispelling the myths associated with cancer in the UAE and educating the community are unparalleled, and their
role is key to the success of this campaign.” This year, the PCR targets to do 9,000 free breast cancer examinations, Dr Al Madhi said.
A regular medical volunteer, Dr Riyad Bendardaf, senior consultant oncologist at University Hospital Sharjah, has highlighted how the campaign has raised breast cancer awareness in communities.
“Having worked as a member of PCR’s team of medical volunteers, I can say that their two-pronged approach in sensitising the public, while offering free screenings and consultations, is distinguishable,” Dr Bendardaf said.
“The PCR is important not only because of its strides in safeguarding people’s health and wellbeing, but because it gives us a golden opportunity for community service.”