Pink ride ends, but its awareness mission to continue
ABU DHABI — The 11-day Pink Caravan Ride may have come to an end on Friday, but after screening 7,108 people across the country this year — breaking all previous records since its inception in 2011 — the journey to combat breast cancer is still going strong.
This year’s impressive tally saw thousands of residents avail free screenings, mammograms and expert medical advice at 123 clinics operating out of the seven emirates by a team of 65 medical experts.
Breaking it down by gender, women made up the majority of those screened, with a total of 5,991 turning out, but 1,117 men also got checked too. Out of these figures, more than 1,500 patients who went along for free screenings were locals, with the remaining 5,570 made up of a mix of expatriate residents.
Friday’s closing ceremony was held at Zayed Sports City in Abu Dhabi in the presence of Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, the UAE’s Head of Ministry of Culture, and Knowledge Development; in which he made reference to the importance of early detection when it comes to breast cancer.
“Everyone present here epitomises deepening community awareness and passionate community development, and I am glad to be part of this celebration. In the Pink Caravan Ride’s efforts, the vision of the UAE’s wise leadership is clearly reflected,” he said, adding that year’s ride did not just unite the nation, “it united our hearts”.
In light of 2017 being declared the Year of Giving, Reem BinKaram, Chairperson of the Higher Organising Committee of the Pink Caravan called this year’s ride “our biggest contribution to the spirit of humanitarianism”.
“Many of you may think we meet tonight to conclude the Pink Caravan Ride. In fact, we are all here to renew our spirits for another march of hope,” she said.
Speaking on behalf of her beloved sister, the late Ameera BinKaram, Reem said it was her sister who established this year’s slogan, ‘7 Years for 7 Emirates’.
“(She) sowed the seeds for this seventh campaign before her passing. Every day, we enjoy the fruits of her compassionate spirit. It is due to her relentless efforts that PCR today has become a unique national example of community engagement, health and social dialogue for the upliftment of society. We dedicate this year’s achievements to her golden spirit.”
For the final horseback journey of the edition on Friday, the riders set off from Ikea on Yas Island, and travelled 11.7 km to reach the finish line at Zayed Sports City. But this seventh edition also witnessed many firsts. Seven fixed clinics were inaugurated in the seven emirates, which offered free screenings to 2,699 patients. Their charity fundraiser Pink Bite, sold one burger for $10,000 — the highest amount of money ever paid for a burger. And a Children’s Ride was organised for the first time in the campaign’s history to sensitise the youth about the risks of cancer from an early age.