7-DAY RIDE ACROSS 7 EMIRATES ENDS ON A SUCCESSFUL NOTE
The Pink crusaders against breast cancer wrapped up a week-long campaign on Tuesday in Abu Dhabi with a grand ceremony that honoured the riders and ambassadors.
Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Tolerance who attended the ceremony at the Westin Abu Dhabi Golf Resorts, said the campaign had been successful in highlighting the importance of regular screening, early diagnosis and swift medical intervention, in combating this killer disease.
“For all that you have achieved — mobilising the community and raising the awareness among members of the community — the Pink Caravan stands for real values as it embodies the wonderful values of the UAE in terms of helping the humankind without any prejudice and distinction of sex, nationality or ethnicity.”
The eighth edition of the Pink Caravan, a pan-UAE initiative to raise awareness about breast cancer, started from Sharjah Equestrian & Racing Club on February 28, and ended at the Abu Dhabi Marina on Tuesday.
This year’s campaign saw the largest number of equestrians in its history, with 230 horse riders including 150 Emiratis, and both men and women from different nationalities. The caravan covered a total of 1,640km in seven emirates during the week-long campaign.
Free breast cancer screenings, medical examinations and expert consultations were offered to the public through fixed clinics and a Dh15 million mobile mammography clinic. Launched in 2011 by the charity, Friends of Cancer Patients (FoCP), the campaign is aimed at encouraging people to go for screenings as early detection is key to survival.
Speaking to Khaleej Times, Reem BinKaram, Chairperson of the Higher Steering Committee of Pink Caravan Ride, said the engagement of the public had been amazing.
“It touches our heart to see that in every emirate, breast cancer pa- tients were coming forward pledging their support. And this is what makes us feel what we are doing is worth doing.
“We had people flying in from the Philippines, Australia and Germany only to be part of this ride. And our riders had to deal with unstable weather, but they really showed their courage and commitment.”
BinKaram said the mobile clinics screened 700 people on a daily basis in all the emirates. “We are happy with the numbers, especially considering the fact that this is not October when most people go for screening.”
The Pink Caravan stands for real values as it embodies the wonderful values of the UAE in terms of helping the humankind without any prejudice and distinction of sex, nationality or ethnicity.” Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Tolerance
It touches our heart to see that in every emirate, breast cancer patients were coming forward pledging their support. And this is what makes us feel what we are doing is worth doing.” Reem BinKaram, Chairperson of the Higher Steering Committee of Pink Caravan Ride