Pink Caravan Ride reviews achievements

Sharjah / Emirates Business

Pink Caravan Ride (PCR), the UAE breast cancer initiative that travels the emirates spreading awareness of and providing early detection for breast cancer, has held its annual Higher Steering Committee meeting to review its most recent activity.
Taking place at Al Jawaher Reception & Convention Centre in Sharjah, the event discussed the results of the sixth annual PCR, which concluded in March this year. Touring the seven emirates over 10 consecutive days, PCR’s latest mission to spread awareness about breast cancer saw the participation of 79 riders, 150 volunteers and 41 medical clinics.
Attending the meeting was HE Ameera BinKaram, founding member and President of the Board of Trustees of Friends of Cancer Patients (FoCP) and Chairperson of the Higher Steering Committee of PCR; Dr. Sawsan Al Madhi, Director General of FoCP and Head of PCR’s Medical and Awareness Committee; Mohammed Al Musharrakh, FoCP Board Member and Director of the CrossFit Hour Gym in Sharjah and a number of FoCP members and PCR committee members.
The meeting commenced with HE Ameera BinKaram praising His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, for his patronage of PCR. She also lauded the wife of His Highness, Her Highness Sheikha Jawaher bint Mohammed Al Qasimi, Founder and Royal Patron of the Friends of Cancer Patients, International Ambassador for the World Cancer Declaration of the Union for International Cancer Control (UICC), International Ambassador for Childhood Cancer for UICC, for leading the fight against breast cancer and for her efforts that have had a profound impact on PCR’s results over the past six years.
“For its sixth annual ride, PCR travelled more than 200 kilometres across the seven emirates of the UAE, making a sum total of 1,440 kilometres covered since its inaugural ride in 2011. Our clinics provided free breast cancer early detection screenings by expert medical staff for 5,059 citizens and residents, with 4,406 women and 653 men seen during the 10 days,” said HE Ameera BinKaram.
BinKaram pointed out that the tests provided during PCR 2016 had detected five positive cases of breast cancer, with the persons diagnosed referred to FoCP for follow up and the provision of appropriate treatment. She assured that Pink Caravan will monitor the progress of the individuals concerned.
She added; “A total of 1,665 mammograms referrals and 440 ultrasound examinations were conducted during Pink Cravan Ride 2016, raising the number of beneficiaries of its operations over the past six years to 41,391 men and women. Since its inception in 2011, 430 riders and more than 650 volunteers have provided their invaluable assistance for this initiative to succeed. Lectures and medical workshops have taken place at 87 schools, with breast cancer early detection examinations conducted at 450 medical clinics. From its onset, Pink Caravan Ride has successfully garnered support from ambassadors representing all segments of the community who are committed to representing the initiative and promoting its objectives.”
BinKaram explained that PCR 2016 saw the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs distributing thousands electronic flyers containing detailed information about breast cancer.