To prepare its growing medical team for the tenth annual Pink Caravan Ride (PCR), the annual breast cancer awareness initiative that travels across the UAE providing free clinical examinations and promoting early detection of the disease, PCR’s higher steering committee held a series of training sessions to gear them up for the campaign. Being held from February 26 to March 6 under the slogan ‘Plenty is Not Enough’. PCR is organised by Friends of Cancer Patients (FOCP), a Sharjah-based civil society organisation.

The first training session was held on February 8 for 30 nurses and administration staff at the Supreme Council for Family Affairs, Sharjah. It included a medical form workshop. On February 12, 48 medical and health sciences students who are volunteering for the ride participated in a training session at the University of Sharjah Medical College. Later, on February 15, 27 doctors volunteering with PCR and members from PCR’s medical partner teams were part of a session that included a breast clinical examination workshop at the Supreme Council for Family Affairs.

Dr. Sawsan Al Madhi, Head of the Medical and Awareness Committee of Pink Caravan Ride and Director General of FOCP, said: “Since the beginning of this ride, we have witnessed an annual growth in the number of participating volunteers and medical professionals. This edition will see over 350 doctors available for consultations at over 70 fixed and mobile clinics, while 150 riders will join them in spreading awareness about breast cancer. We have designed our training sessions and workshops to ensure that our medical staff as well as other volunteers are well prepared and familiar with the latest techniques and equipment to deliver the best possible service consistently over the 20 days including the 10 days of the ride.”

Dr Al Madhi called on the UAE community to avail the free screenings that are already being offer by PCR’s medical clinics in all seven emirates. More information on specific clinics’ locations can be accessed via PCR’s social media handle @thepinkcaravan.

“Over the years, PCR has provided 64,012 free examinations and 670 of our volunteer riders have travelled over 1,800 km so far. This has led to the detection of 75 cases of breast cancer which were referred for treatment, which proves the efficacy of PCR and serves as an impetus to us to provide the latest screening methods. We are continuously trying to improve our services and equipment to ensure that no one is left behind in our drive to benefit the people of UAE,” she added.

Fixed clinics across the seven emirates, Feb 16 – Mar 6

1. Al Majaz Waterfront in Sharjah (sponsors: Shurooq; medical partners: UHS and Medcare)
2. City Walk and Dubai Festival City (DFC) Mall in Dubai (sponsors: Meraas and DFC Mall)
3. Fujairah Mall (sponsors: Fujairah Mall; medical partners: Al Sharq Hospital & Thumbay Hospital)
4. Manar Mall in Ras Al Khaimah (sponsor: Manar Mall)
5. Mall of Umm al Quwain (UAQ) (sponsor: Mall of UAQ)
6. Al Hamidiya Park in Ajman (sponsor: Ajman Municipality)
7. The Galleria in Abu Dhabi (sponsors: The Galleria and SHEIN; medical partner: Healthpoint;
   main partner: Abu Dhabi Public Health Center).

Pink Caravan was launched in 2011 under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah and Her Highness Sheikha Jawaher Bint Mohammed Al Qasimi, wife of the Ruler of Sharjah, Founder and 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.

Since its inception in 2011, the Pink Caravan has been actively engaged in highlighting the importance of early detection of breast cancer. The Sharjah-based non-profit has played a key role in dispelling misconceptions related to breast cancer and offered support to patients and their families in need. The work FOCP and PCR have done in the past years have had a significant effect in reducing the spread of breast cancer and diminishing its progression to advanced stages through free medical examinations that have helped save lives of citizens and expatriates alike. Over the past nine years, the PCR campaign has offered free early-detection screenings to 64,000 people of different nationalities and ages, including over 10,000 men.