Pink Caravan Ride 2017 Provides 7,483 Free Breast Cancer Screenings in the UAE

The medical statistics collected by the organising committee of the Pink Caravan Ride 2017, the UAE’s annual breast cancer awareness campaign organised by the Friends of Cancer Patients (FoCP), revealed that almost 7,500 residents and citizens got tested during the ten-day campaign held in March this year.

The final numbers, results and achievements of seventh campaign were discussed at PCR’s Higher Organising Committee annual evaluation meeting, attended by Reem BinKaram, Head of Pink Caravan Steering Committee; Dr. Sawsan Al Madhi, Director General of FoCP and Head of the Pink Caravan Medical and Awareness Committee; Lize De Jonge, Program Manager of Pink Caravan Ride; Badr Al Juaidi, Head of Logistics Services Committee, as well as by other members of the FoCP and PCR committees.

12 cases of malignancy have been reported this year, which is also the highest in Pink Caravan’s history. This is partly owed to the large visitor turnout this year; something that is attributed to the campaign’s growing outreach in every edition.

“Through its four-pronged strategy or the four routes – Equine, Medical, Events and Fundraising – the Pink Caravan Ride has spread hope and cancer awareness in the country for seven years. This year, the Ride was made possible by 92 equines who covered 200+ kilometres across the seven emirates; by 150+ volunteers who worked selflessly for the campaign’s success; 123 volunteering clinics that offered free examinations and mammograms; and many others who have supported us dedicatedly,” said Reem BinKaram, Head of Pink Caravan Steering Committee.     

“Our hard work is truly rewarded when we see husbands bring their wives in for check-ups and vice versa, when young college students ask how they can volunteer, when the society’s elite make big donations that are used for research and improving healthcare. The fight against cancer of any kind is stronger when entire communities are involved. Under the directives and support of Her Highness Sheikha Jawaher bint Mohammed Al Qasimi, Wife of His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah, and Founder and Royal Patron of the FoCP, I am pleased to report that Pink Caravan Ride has travelled a long way to bring the nation together for an important cause.”

Members of the PCR Higher Organising Committee expressed their appreciation towards all individuals and institutions and entities who contributed to the campaign’s success, especially their strategic partners the Sharjah Media Corporation (SMC) and the Sharjah Islamic Bank (SIB).

The meeting also kicked off preliminary discussions for PCR 2018, due to be held in the first quarter next year. Suggestions, proposals and recommendations from this year’s participants were analysed, and the importance of launching new innovative activities that will expand the campaign’s outreach and increase community engagement were highlighted.

By promoting the aspects of social responsibility, volunteering and serving the country, the Pink Caravan has also furthered the objectives of the ‘UAE Year of Giving 2017’.

The strong medical examinations infrastructure the Pink Caravan Ride made available to the UAE this year, was instrumental to the increase in number of examined individuals. For the first time in the campaign’s history, Pink Caravan provided a fixed clinic in each emirate alongside their mobile clinic as well as check-ups at partnering hospitals across the nation. From City Walk Dubai to Abu Dhabi Corniche and Al Majaz Waterfront in Sharjah, these fixed clinics operating until late hours out of popular public destinations added 2,969 free screenings to 2017’s final tally.