Pink Caravan conducts free breast cancer screenings

Sharjah / WAM

The Higher Steering Committee of the 6th Pink Caravan Ride has announced that a total of 4,691 people, including 4,089 women and 602 men, were screened in nine days of the ride that started on March 7, and passed through all seven emirates spreading the message of the importance of early detection of breast cancer.
Out of the total number of screened people, 1,557 cases were referred for mammogram examinations and 283 cases for ultrasound scans to ensure their safety.
The horseback ride continued its journey of awareness and hope heading towards its last destination, the capital Abu Dhabi, on the ninth day of its sixth annual ride, travelling a total of 158 km.
The ride stopped at the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, where an orientation cultural tour was organised for the Pink Caravan’s riders and teams. The mobile medical clinics continued to welcome visitors from various nationalities, who are keen to get free breast cancer early detection examinations.
The mobile medical clinic, offering mammogram service at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and medical clinics at Health Point Hospital and Al Majaz Waterfront in Sharjah saw an impressive turnout by all members of society, who were keen to benefit from clinical medical examinations conducted by the Pink Caravan’s medical team, working in a strategic collaboration with The Princess Grace Hospital.
Dr. Sawsan Al Madhi, Director General of FOCP and Head of the Pink Caravan Medical and Awareness Committee, said, “ The sixth Pink Caravan managed to achieve good results in both awareness and providing free examinations to detect breast cancer in the past nine days. As a result, our medical teams offered free screenings for (4,691) people and we were pleased with the overwhelming public turnout the ride received on its first day in the capital Abu Dhabi.”
For her part, Mai Al Jaber, Deputy Medical Director and head of Public Health Initiatives at Health Point Hospital, said, “We are proud to host the Pink Caravan’s riders and medical clinic, which offered breast cancer screening to visitors. This comes with one of the hospital’s aims to promote breast cancer awareness and the importance of conducting regular medical check-ups for its early detection.”
Mai Al Jaber thanked the FoCP Board and the Pink Caravan’s Higher Steering Committee for giving the Health Point Hospital the opportunity to participate in this great national work, which raises hope and awareness and promotes the values of social solidarity among all members of society.
The ninth day of the ride saw the participation of Sheikh Mubarak Al Sabah Mohammed Al Sabah as a guest of honour, who praised the efforts and outcomes of the Pink Caravan initiative.
Sheikh Mubarak Al Sabah, said,” I am delighted to join the Pink Caravan’s team–a landmark initiative that we have heard about in Kuwait for years. We see the pink Caravan as a national initiative that came from within the kind and authentic Emirati people. It has long-term goals and objectives, and deserves all our support and appreciation.”
He added: “This is my first participation, but I will make it sustainable from now on. I hope that the Pink Caravan team visit us in Kuwait where they can contribute to promoting awareness of breast cancer, not only in Kuwait, but also in all GCC countries.”
The 9th day of the ride saw “Pink Circuit”, a women-only sporting event, organised in collaboration with the Fatima Bint Mubarak Ladies Sports Academy and Yas Marina Circuit. The event, which took place at Yas Marina Circuit highlighted the importance of physical activity and its role in reducing the risks of breast cancer. The participants got the opportunity to undergo free breast cancer clinical tests.