Impressive Pink Strides made on last leg of ride

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Impressive Pink Strides made on last leg of ride

Sharjah - The ride completes its tour of the five emirates and great turnouts by the public and authorities

By Asma Ali Zain/Afkar Abdullah

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Published: Tue 14 Mar 2017, 7:10 PM

Last updated: Tue 14 Mar 2017, 9:22 PM

When the Pink Caravan arrived at the Al Majaz Waterfront after the long ride from Ajman, they were joined in solidarity by the public and several prominent government dignitaries.
With their arrival in Sharjah, the ride completes its tour of the five emirates and great turnouts by the public and authorities.
On arrival at the waterfront, the Caravan members got into a big pink boat provided by the Sharjah International Marine Club, taking the breast cancer awareness ride from land to sea. Several prominent people, include Khalid Jasim Al Midfa, Chairman of Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority, Chairman of Sharjah Media City Free Zone Authority; and Tariq Allay, Director of Sharjah Government Media Bureau, joined the Pink Caravan team.
Nadia Abdul Aziz Taryam, a prominent rider from the Sharjah Women's Sports Foundation (SWSF), took the lead.
Flyboarders decked out in pink and holding the Pink Caravan flags made for an awe-inspiring visual spectacle for the Waterfront visitors.
Then came the 'Pink Strides', a 7-kilometre breast cancer awareness walkathon around the Al Majaz Waterfront, which saw participation by the general public alongside prominent figures like Nada Askar Al Naqbi, Director of the Sports Department at Sharjah Ladies Club; Mariam Al Shurafa, Pink Caravan Ambassador; and several girls from SWSF.
In between leaving the Ajman Kempinski and arriving at the Sharjah waterfront, the riders made their way to Sharjah's Supreme Council of Family Affairs (SCFA), passed the Pink Caravan fixed clinic at Ajman Corniche, all the while waving to pedestrians and passersby and handing out Pink Caravan flags.
On their arrival at SCFA, the riders were received by Sheikha Hind bint Majed Al Qasimi, Acting Chairperson of Sharjah Business Women Council (SBWC); Noura Al Noman, Chairperson of the Executive Office of Sheikha Jawaher bint Mohammed Al Qasimi, wife of His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Ruler of Sharjah and Chairperson of SCFA; and Erum Mazher Alvie, Senior Advisor to Sheikha Jawaher.
"It was an honour to be part of the Pink Caravan Ride today. I rode through Ajman and Sharjah with the other riders on the group and it was a great experience interacting with the public as we went along. I thank Sheikh Dr. Sultan Al Qasimi and Sheikha Jawaher, Founder and Royal Patron of the 'Friends of Cancer Patients' (FoCP), International Ambassador of the World Cancer Declaration for Union for International Cancer Control (UICC), for their wise leadership and unfailing support to a noble cause," said Sheikh Omar bin Abdulaziz Al Nuaimi.
"I thank everyone for being here today. The Pink Caravan has shown a great leap from the previous years with regards to the number of people coming in and getting screened, people cheering for us from the sidewalks, to the number of applications we received from those who wanted to volunteer for the campaign," said Reem Binkaram, Chairperson of the Pink Caravan's Higher Organising Committee.
"This seventh year is a significant milestone for the campaign, reflected in its theme '7 Years for 7 Emirates'. Our equine route this year has tried to showcase important UAE landmarks as a symbolic show of the union of the seven emirates and its history of charitable giving. Today, we are at SCFA, Sheikha Jawaher's Executive Office - the place where the Pink Caravan was born. By being here, we want to express our gratitude to Sheikh Dr Sultan Al Qasimi and Sheikha Jawaher for supporting the Pink Caravan since inception," she added.
"It is a hot day today, but the turnout is amazing. Just goes to show the UAE's passion and determination in spreading awareness and doing good for the community. I wish everyone all the best," BinKaram concluded.
"Today, I was with the PCR advocates, and toured over 21 km on my horseback through Ajman and Sharjah. I am happy I could be part of a significant health initiative and will continue to contribute to the Pink Caravan's cause in every capacity. Breast cancer awareness is a national responsibility. Participate and be part of it," said Sheikh Ali bin Jamal Al Nuaimi as the day's campaigning for PCR came to an end at Al Majaz Waterfront.
afkarali@khaleejtimes.com
Health Ministry backs campaign with facilities, support
Asma Ali Zain
Taking a message of hope from the Emiratis to the world, the Pink Caravan on Tuesday launched the 7th edition of its pan-UAE ride to raise awareness about breast cancer.
Launched by His Highness Dr Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah, 10 riders kicked off the ride across the emirates under the theme of "Seven Years ... For Seven Emirates".
On the occasion, Dr Sheikh Sultan announced the setting up of fixed clinics across the emirates to treat breast cancer cases until March 17.
The Pink Caravan is an initiative by the Friends of Cancer Patients (FoCP) that has screened up to 41,000 people across the country since it was launched six years ago.
The 2017 Pink Caravan Ride will dispense free health advice and free medical screenings to all community segments across the UAE before it wraps up its 10-day journey in Abu Dhabi on March 17.
"Even though we are busy in our everyday loves, the caravan continues its work to discover new cases of cancer," said Dr Sheikh Sultan while addressing a gathering at the Sharjah Equestrian and Racing Club. "This is all due to the efforts of women who have dedicated their time and effort to this volunteering activity that gives health and safety to others."
Dr Sheikh Sultan said that though the initiative started from Sharjah it has been made pan-UAE now. "Though we started from a mobile clinic in Sharjah and set up a fixed one in the emirate last year, we will now have fixed clinics all over the country," he said.
He also praised the efforts of the volunteers who dedicated their time to the cause. "We hope the number of volunteers will increase further."
He also urged all women to make the effort to be screened. "Women are bold, and I ask them to get examined and get treated early on so that next year we do not find any cases of the disease ... we hope for zero cases," he said.
Dr Sheikh Sultan said that the caravan depends on the efforts of charities which needed the help of the community. "We call upon everybody to come and help the sick.
 


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