Pink Caravan begins 10-day UAE tour

Participants of the fifth edition of the Pink Caravan Ride begin their journey from the Sharjah Equestrian and Racing Club on Monday.  — KT photo by M. Sajjad

Sharjah - His Highness Dr Shaikh Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah, dedicated 17 Arabian horses from Al Qasimi Stables to support the Pink Caravan’s breast cancer awareness ride. The horses were donated during the launch ceremony of the annual Pink Caravan Ride at the Sharjah Equestrian Club on Monday.

The Pink Caravan’s pan-UAE breast cancer awareness initiative by the Friends of Cancer Patients (FoCP) aims to raise awareness on the importance of early detection of breast cancer, and has the patronage and support of Shaikha Jawaher bint Mohammed Al Qasimi, wife of Dr Shaikh Sultan, Founder and Royal Patron of the Friends of Cancer Patients Society (FoCP), and International Ambassador of the World Cancer Declaration for Union for International Cancer Control (UICC).

A pink pledge note released on the launch day of the 5th edition of the Pink Caravan Ride at the Sharjah Equestrian and Racing Club on Monday. —  KT photo by M. Sajjad

Marking the fifth anniversary of its founding, the 10-day Pink Caravan Ride 2015 has adopted the theme #aPinkThankYou in a show of gratitude and appreciation to everyone who helped them achieve their objectives.

Shaikh Sultan also honoured sponsors who supported the Pink Caravan since its inception as well as the gold donors and the gold ambassador for 2014 for their efforts in spreading awareness and for their continuous support to help the caravan convey its message.

The honoured figures included Shaikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Culture, Youth and Community Development; Shaikha Lubna bint Khalid Al Qasimi, Minister for International Cooperation and Development (MICAD); and Shaikha Manal bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, wife of Shaikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Presidential Affairs, Chairperson of the UAE Gender Balance Council, President of the Dubai Women’s Establishment and Ambassador of Pink Caravan.

Among the gold donors, Dr Shaikh Sultan honoured Shaikha Jawaher, whose award was received by Noura Al Nouman, Director-General of the Executive Office of Shaikha Jawaher. Dr Shaikh Sultan also honoured Mohammed Abdullah, CEO of Sharjah Islamic Bank and Mario Tomah, Deputy Director-General of Bank of Sharjah.

The gold ambassador award went to Shaikha Hessa bint Sultan bin Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Ambassador of the Pink Caravan and owner of Forta Stud Stables.

Ameera BinKaram, President of the Board of Trustees and Founding Member of FoCP, highlighted the major achievements made by the Pink Caravan since it was founded. She said: “The Pink Caravan came into existence in April 2011 as the first initiative of the “Kashf” programme, launched by the Friends of Cancer Patients. Since its inception, the initiative succeeded in making significant achievements with regards to raising awareness about the importance of fighting breast cancer.”

At the end of the ceremony, Shaikh Sultan signaled the start of the ride and the expedition headed for Al Dhaid city traveling 31.9km on its first day. The Pink Caravan will be accompanied by mobile clinics, along with a professional medical team which will provide free breast cancer screenings and awareness lectures and workshops on the danger of the disease and on how to carry out self-examination.

The free mobile clinics will be open daily from 9am to 7pm to offer medical tests and breast cancer screening in each emirate. On the first day mobile clinics at Al Qasimi Hospital, Charity Society Association in Sharjah and Al Dhaid Hospital received men and women of various nationalities. The clinics will be available in Kalba Hospital, Dibba Al Fujairah Hospital and Masafi Hospital in Al Fujairah on Tuesday and in Al Thamid Clinics in Sharjah, Fujairah Hospital and Khorfakkan Hospital on Wednesday. -afkarali@khaleejtimes.com