Walk the 'safe' app for 12 months to fight cancer

Dubai - Campaign organiser pledges Dh100,000 if app users cover 50,000km by year-end

Dubai's popular Safe & Sound breast cancer awareness campaign has just been given a 21st century boost.
Launching on October 1, the awareness campaign will get its very own mobile application, replacing the campaign's traditional annual Walkathon. Now in its 19th year, Safe and Sound is one of the largest breast awareness campaigns in the Middle East and more than 10,000 used to participate in the Walkathon every year.
However, with the app now replacing the popular annual meet, users will be able to run, walk and donate all year round, globalising the campaign's reach.
And in a bid to encourage the masses to get their walking shoes on, organiser of the campaign, Burjuman, has pledged to donate a further Dh100,000 to the cause if a total distance walked through the app reaches 50,000km by year end.
"This app can be accessed inside and outside the UAE so it will reach far and wide," said Burjuman COO, Leigh Regan, who recently partnered with the Al Jalila Foundation for Safe & Sound.
Breast cancer diagnoses have risen by 20 per cent in the Middle East over the past few years. Globally, breast cancer accounts for 22 per cent of all cancers in women. More than one million women are affected by the disease annually.
Though the UAE does not hold specific statistics regarding the exact number of women affected by breast cancer here, Dr Houria Kazim who is the CEO of Dubai-based support group, Breast Friends, said the rates are alarming.
"In the West, around 80 per cent of cases are diagnosed in women over the age of 50. In the Middle East, woman are being diagnosed a decade younger and the cancer is more aggressive."
Speaking to Khaleej Times on Sunday, Dr Kazim said it is hard to pinpoint the reason "I have talked with Al Jalila Foundation about setting up a national register so that we get a better understanding of breast cancer diagnoses here."
"Myself and other researchers are pushing forward plans to conduct breast cancer genetics research here, so we hope this will materialise over the next few years with the help of Al Jalila Foundation."
For breast cancer survivor Ghadeer Kunna, cancer has been a "blessing".
Diagnosed with an aggressive form of breast cancer in 2013, Kunna had a lengthy battle with cancer. She told Khaleej Times the experience has been enlightening.
"It made me stronger. It made me realise who I can rely on. It has allowed me to share my story with others and help other cancer patients."
As an ambassador for the Safe & Sound campaign, Kunna said support networks are vital when it comes to battling the disease and she urged UAE residents to pick up the app, walk and save lives.
kelly@khaleejtimes.com