Knights in pink armour begin journey

As he addressed the launch ceremony of the annual Pink Caravan ride, Dr Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi urged all women to make the effort to get screened.

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.
 A ride of hope
Reem BinKaram, Chairperson of the Ride Higher Steering Committee said, "The march shows giving and goodness. The ride is not only to raise awareness and offer screenings but it gives hope to the hearts from the Emiratis to the world."
She said that the event has become a big project in the UAE.
Princess Dina Mired, President of Union for International Cancer Control (UICC), said that it was important to talk about cancer. "By increasing awareness we are saving lives. Today, women are not afraid to talk about the disease."
As part of its message to conquering fear and the continuous pursuit of hope and courage when battling against breast cancer, the riders took their horses through a unique performance, jumping over barriers and obstacles across a wide audience.
The performance carried a valuable message to all residents across the UAE, a message of hope, and a message on the importance of overcoming all types of challenges through the continuous pursuit of a healthy lifestyle.
Jawaher pays tribute to Ameera BinKaram
In a special tribute, Sheikha Jawaher bint Mohammed Al Qasimi, Wife of His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah and Chairperson of the Supreme Council for Family Affairs, urged the community to donate generously to the Ameera Fund for Cancer Patients.
The fund has been launched in the memory of Ameera BinKaram, who was the founding member and president of FoCP. She died in a house fire in October 2016.
"We dedicate all humanitarian efforts to Ameera who founded the caravan," said Sheikha Jawaher. "Her efforts carry the message forward ... we miss her presence and her efforts."
She also said that the level of the work of the caravan had become a landmark. "Our country has become a big example in humanitarian efforts in the world."
She urged everyone to come forward to support the fund.
"As we are travelling the ride of giving and goodness, we recall the efforts of the late Ameera BinKaram, one of the key founders of the Pink Caravan, who directed the ride of love and giving with her humanitarian spirit, to raise awareness and give hope and ignite courage. Ameera supported the PCR since its inception, and she initiated preparations for the current edition of the ride, writing her final chapter with more love and giving," Sheikha Jawaher noted.
"I urge everyone - private companies, banks, businesspersons and charity organisations - to support the Ameera Fund, and help cancer patients," she added.
Once you start, you can't stop: Rider
Majid Al Suweidi was one the 10 riders who started off their journey from the Sharjah Equestarian and Racing Club on Tuesday morning that culminated at Masafi on Day 1. Speaking to Khaleej Times, Majid said he had been part of the ride for past six years. "I have been taking part as a rider since Pink Caravan launched this awareness ride. I have been taking part in this ride because this is a great initiative and once you start, you can't stop," said Majid, a banker by profession, who has been learning horse riding since the age of five years.
Jess Adams, another rider, said this was the first time she was participating. "I am doing this because a family member has cancer and I think it is important to raise awareness."
A gold caravan on the pink route soon?
"We hope to see the Gold Caravan for Childhood Cancer in the UAE soon alongside the Pink Caravan," said a senior member of the Childhood Cancer International (CCI), who is in the UAE to attend the launch.
Carmen Vallejo Auste, Global Chairperson of CCI, said that the Pink Caravan was a good model to follow. "Gold is the colour for childhood cancer as it depicts preciousness and we hope that our collaboration with FoCP will raise awareness on this as well.
"We are hoping to take this forward by September."
Sheikha Jawaher last year launched a global awareness video on childhood cancer
in Sweden which was developed by the same team as Disney's Frozen.
The video which was sung by one million children went viral with 300 million views.
Dr Jose Luis Castro from the Non-Communicable Diseases Alliance said that if the government takes control of risk factors such as smoking and diabetes, the incidences of cancer can be lowered.
Screening registry office to be set up
A screening cancer registry office will soon be set up in Sharjah that will keep all records of the people screened, Dr Sawsan Al Madhi, Director-General of Friends of Cancer Patients (FoCP), told Khaleej Times.
Until now, the caravan and FoCP have screened 41,000 people in six years since its launch. "The screening programme will feed the positive cases into the Ministry of Health and Prevention's National Cancer Programme," said Dr Sawsan, adding that the remaining will be kept as a record.
She said each year the caravan sets a target of the number of people to be screened. "This year we haven't increased the number, which stands at 5,000, but we hope to screen even more people," she added. "This will help us take stock of the cancer situation in the country and tackle the disease accordingly."
Get fit and eat better to stay cancer-free
At least 24 per cent of deaths in women are due to breast cancer and 11 per cent of other cancers combining both men and women, said Dr Hussein Abdul Rehman, Assistant Undersecretary at the Ministry of Health and Prevention.
He said majority of the cases were due to lack of exercise and poor diet. "This event is important to raise awareness about breast cancer.
"I wish PCR the very best in their seventh annual journey for promoting and enhancing health and wellness across the UAE. I also extend my profound gratitude to the royal family of Sharjah for their continued guidance and support to this great cause."
asmaalizain@khaleejtimes.com