The men doing their bit for cancer awareness

ABU DHABI — The fight against breast cancer does not pertain only to women.

Men, too, need to mount the horse to raise awareness about the killer disease. That is the message Nader Nassar, an engineering graduate, wished to spread by participating in the final leg of the Pink Caravan Ride, which culminated in front of the Abu Dhabi Marina Mall on Tuesday afternoon.

The Egyptian-Australian Nassar has been riding the Pink Caravan for the last seven years. “It is a great honour to be associated with the cause.

The profound way in which the campaign has been spreading the message is impressive; in the last seven years, I have seen the initiative grow in terms of its public reach.

“Every year, there are new faces. There is a bigger mix of nationalities, there are more screenings done. So, it is definitely an inspiration to the participants as well as the public.”

He said the campaign has helped in dispelling the notion that breast cancer only affects women. “Men too are affected by it. It is important for people like us to give voice to the campaign that early detection is crucial for men too.”

Nassar said that combining the Arabian tradition of horse riding with breast cancer awareness sits well with him, as he is a passionate rider. According to him, the UAE’s unique initiative to fight breast cancer has a global reach, as there are people from all over the world living and working here.

“So, the best thing is, you are not just creating breast awareness in the UAE, as the free screenings benefit people from different nationalities.”

At a personal level, Nassar said that a close friend of his was diagnosed with cancer recently, and that made him realise how important early detection is.

Men too are affected by it. It is important for people like us to give voice to the campaign that early detection is crucial for men too.” Nader Nassar, Egyptian Australian engineer