The Pink Caravan Ride, a pan-UAE breast cancer awareness initiative by the Friends of Cancer Patients (FoCP), is calling on Emirati medical practitioners to join its sixth annual ride taking place from 7-17 March 2016 across all seven emirates. For the first time this year electronic applications are also being accepted through its website, www.pinkcaravan.ae. egistration runs from January 28 to February 11 and the requirements for doctors are that they practice general medicine, family medicine or radiology. It is also calling upon nurses and X-Ray technicians to join them.DrSawsan Al Madhi, Director General of the FoCP and Head of the Pink Caravan Medical and Awareness Committee said, “We are pleased to announce that applications for the sixth annual ride are now open for both Emirati and non-Emirati doctors, nurses and other medical practitioners as well as to residents of the UAE who would like to join the ride. We reached out to doctors through the media for the first time in 2015 and received a great turnout, where 67% of the doctors were Emirati.”Last year during the 10- day ride, 30 clinics were set up across the country offering free breast cancer screenings, with the participation of approximately 150 doctors, 67% of which were Emiratis. They accompanied the 150 horse riders and 100 volunteers of various nationalities who travelled across the seven emirates, kicking off from Sharjah, passing through Fujairah, Ras Al Khaimah, Umm Al Quwain, Ajman and Dubai, finishing in Abu Dhabi.
According Dr Al Madhi, a training workshop for the medical teams will be organized to ensure they are completely ready for the 2016 ride. Dr. Al Madhi added, “In the past five years, the Pink Caravan’s medical teams, doctors, nurses and X-Ray technicians have been the very bedrock of the Pink Caravan's work. In fact, since its launch we have conducted medical examinations on 36,332 men and women of different nationalities and ages. Our teams worked hard to increase awareness about early detection of breast cancer and to dispel misconceptions about it. The success of the Pink Caravan stems from the fact that it is an initiative from the community to the community.”
Medical professionals assisting the Pink Caravan Ride will be providing breast cancer screenings during the 10-day march, demonstrating how to carry out self-examinations, raising awareness about the signs to look out for and answering any queries by members of the public. “This year our slogan is “Soldiers of Pink Hope” because without the support of our army of volunteers and partners, we would not be able to make the achievements we have so far. We are very grateful to all the soldiers who march with us, spreading the message of hope and helping to save lives in the face of cancer,” said DrSawsan.Breast cancer is the most common type of cancer in men and women in both developed and developing countries. It accounts for 16% of all cancer cases among women and causes the death ofapproximately 410,000 women every year. According to statistics, 98% of cancer cases, if detected early enough, can be treated and completely cured.
The Pink Caravan was founded in 2011 under the directives and with the support of Her Highness SheikhaJawaherBint Mohammed Al Qasimi, Founder and Royal Patron of FoCP, International Ambassador of the World Cancer Declaration for Union for International Cancer Control (UICC) and International Ambassador for Childhood Cancer for UICC and Wife of His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah. Since its inception, it has strived to raise awareness of the importance of early detection and regular check-ups among citizens and residents of the UAE, to dispel myths surrounding the disease and to lobby for a national cancer registry.