Pink Caravan seeks UAE equines to join tenth ride

The Higher Steering Committee of the Pink Caravan Ride (PCR) — the annual breast cancer awareness initiative that travels around the UAE offering health screening for women and men, is calling on the nation’s horse riders with a spirit of community activism to join its 10th annual campaign, which is running on the end of February.

The pan-UAE campaign organised by Sharjah-based civil society organisation, Friends of Cancer Patients (FOCP), has been raising awareness on the importance of early detection of breast cancer, and offering free medical consultation and screening to UAE residents since 2011.

Riders who wish to volunteer should be over 16 years of age and possess sufficient equestrian skills and experience. With the tour around the emirates covering approximately 15 km every day over 10 days, riders will be required to clear technical and proficiency tests to ensure their fitness to participate.

Male and female riders interested in participating in the tenth edition of the Pink Caravan Ride need to register online at https://www.pinkcaravan.ae/register/ by February 15, to allow the time required for preliminary fitness and skill assessments. A registration fee of Dhs500 will be charged, which covers all assessments, as well as the Pink Caravan tabards and other branded livery, which will be used by selected equines during the campaign.

Reem BinKaram, Chairperson of the Pink Caravan Ride Higher Steering Committee, said: “Since its inception 10 years ago, the Pink Caravan Ride has seen thriving participation of talented riders with a strong spirit of volunteerism and civic duty. These volunteers will continue to play a pivotal in driving the campaign’s efforts and activities designed to raise breast cancer awareness in the UAE. This unique and thoroughly emotional experience is an opportunity for the volunteering riders to continue the UAE’s proud tradition of philanthropy and also ensure the Pink Caravan Ride’s success.”

“Last year, 670 female and male horse riders of various nationalities joined the campaign, travelling 1,800 km alongside our mobile clinics, which offered free medical check-ups to over 64,000 women and men across the seven emirates. Seventy-five positive cases were detected. These numbers represent the Pink Caravan Ride’s commitment to widen its outreach to promote breast cancer awareness, give cancer patients hope and strength to fight the disease with confidence, and ultimately remind the UAE community that their health is their greatest wealth,” she added.

The Pink Caravan Ride is organised by the UAE-based civil society organisation, Friends Of Cancer Patients (FOCP), under the patronage of His Highness Dr Sheikh Sultan Bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah; and his wife Her Highness Sheikha Jawaher Bint Mohammed Al Qasimi, 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) and International Ambassador for Childhood Cancer for UICC.

Recently, the FOCP has announced its half-yearly performance statistics for 2019. The numbers reveal they have been going strong in continuing their cancer awareness advocacy and treatment support efforts. Having accumulated over 5,000 beneficiaries since their inception, FOCP has already brought 215 new patients and their families within their support radius in 2019.   

In keeping with its focus on ensuring mental well-being of cancer patients and their families to cope with the demands of the disease, FOCP has rolled out 17 different activities to boost the morale of cancer patients. These included enabling them to perform the Umrah rituals. It also continued their Iftar gathering tradition for the 11th year in a row, for it is a great opportunity for patients and their families to meet and connect with others in a similar situation.

FOCP’s popular child-support initiative, Joy Cart, has made eight visits to children cancer wards in UAE hospitals, bringing smiles to the faces of numerous children undergoing treatment and taking their minds off their arduous journeys through a multitude of fun activities.