Ajman riders came from 7 nationalities

Hopefully, our participation will encourage some more people to increase their awareness about breast cancer.” Amie Karlsson, Swedish expat in Dubai

SHARJAH — The 10 volunteer horse riders who saddled up to lead the equestrian journey of the pan-UAE breast cancer awareness initiative — Pink Caravan Ride — in the emirate of Ajman on Monday, came from seven different nationalities.

Amrish Gupta, an Indian national and chemical engineer by profession, was inspired to take up riding upon seeing the Pink Caravan Ride horses, and made it his mission to ride with them one day. He said: “I have been a resident of the UAE for 15 years, and have been observing this colourful ride since 2011. This is a very noble cause and I was very keen on supporting. I am extremely happy that I have finally made it and have taken the day off to be here with the Pink Caravan Ride. Breast cancer is widespread and early detection can make a huge difference to the outcome.”

Amie Karlsson from Sweden and Madison Scott from the USA, young trainees at the Dubaibased Godolphin Flying Start leadership training programme, were also riding with the Pink Caravan in Ajman.

Amie remarked: “It’s been a tradition for the past few years that some of the trainees participate in the ride as a show of the institution’s support to this excellent cause. Hopefully, our participation will encourage some more people to increase their awareness about breast cancer.”

Scott stated: “Taking part in this rode has definitely been a lot of fun. It’s something unique to the UAE; we haven’t seen anything like this. Just by being able to be part of the ride today and really seeing the sort of awareness a campaign like this brings — everyone is out on the streets today and the entire city saw a huge group all dressed up in pink — brings a lot to the cause.”

Alejandro, a young equine from Spain, was introduced to the Pink Caravan Ride recently by a colleague at work, and signed up immediately. “This is a very interesting campaign. It is amazing to go out on the street with these horses that have been my passion for as long as I can remember. My grandmother was diagnosed with cancer at a very early stage because she underwent regular screenings. It was taken out immediately and she is now completely cancer free,” he said.

The 7-km journey through Ajman started at the Rashidiya Park for Families and Children, from where the pink brigade proceeded to the Ajman Municipality and Planning Department, and finally ended the ride at Ajman Corniche.

Sheikh Rashid bin Humaid Al Nuaimi, head of the Ajman Municipality and Planning Department, was taken on a tour of the state-of-the-art mobile mammogram clinic that the Pink Caravan launched this year; introduced to its facilities and equipment by Reem BinKaram, head of the Pink Caravan’s Higher Organising Committee; Dr Sawsan Al Madhi, director-general of Friends of Cancer Patients and head of Medical and Awareness Committee of Pink Caravan.

In Ajman, the medical awareness committee said there were a total of 894 screenings. This included 835 women and 59 men. These included 200 locals and 694 expatriates, comprising 274 people in the 40+ age category and 620 individuals below age 40. After the initial screenings, 574 walk-ins were given the safe card, 281 were referred for a mammogram, and 55 were advised to undergo an ultrasound.

I am extremely happy that I have finally made it and have taken the day off to be here with the Pink Caravan Ride.” Amrish Gupta, Indian chemical engineer

This is a very interesting campaign. It’s amazing to go out with these horses that have been my passion for as long as I can remember.” Alejandro, Spanish equine in Dubai