Pink Caravan provides 542 examinations on 5th day

The annual Ride of the Pink Caravan, the pan-UAE breast cancer awareness initiative by the Friends of Cancer Patients charitable organisation, arrived in Ajman yesterday, on its way from Umm Al Quwain, on the 5th day of its 10-day pan UAE trek. The Pink Caravan’s mobile clinic, which was set up in Umm Al Quwain and Ajman, attracted large numbers of people from different genders, nationalities, and ages, to make use of the opportunity to undergo the clinical breast cancer detection and screenings provided by the medical team. The medical team provided medical examinations and screenings to 542 applicants on the fifth day of the journey. Speaking on the occasion, Lize De Jonge, Pink Caravan Project Manager, said: “We are proud of what has been achieved in the last five days of the ride. The number of applicants has increased overall and public and government support has been noticeable, clearly showing that the campaign has established a regional reputation and created an annual expectation. Figures showed a steady growth in number of people who received clinical breast cancer detection examinations, from 454 applicants on the first day, to 576 on the second day up to 605, 672 and 542 applicants, on the third, fourth and fifth day, respectively, proving that the journey is on the right track for further growth. These facts and figures serve as clear indicators that the Pink Caravan has met the ambitions of all and raised awareness about the importance of the early detection in combating breast cancer.” “The positive response from the public and the media as well as the support from the UAE’s leaders, in addition to various corporations and individuals, have significantly helped in mobilising people to undergo breast cancer detection tests. The Pink Caravan’s medical teams have also played a vital role in attracting public attention through our various stops across the country, by providing educational sessions and demonstrations about the importance of early detection and self-examination methods,” she added. On the 5th day of the 10-day trek, the Pink Caravan’s riders started from Umm Al Quwain Hospital, crossing the streets of Umm Al Quwain, through Al Hamriyah in Sharjah to Ajman, where they stopped at Khalifa Hospital. A reception was held at Ajman Palace Hotel in honour of the riders and the accompanying teams. The function was attended by Yahya Al Reyaysa, Director General of the Ajman Municipality and Planning Department, Ameera BinKaram, President of the Board of Trustees and a Founding member of the Friends of Cancer Patients (FoCP), and a number of officials from Ajman Medical Zone and Khalifa Hospital, as well as several senior managers of Ajman Palace Hotel. Al Reyaysa commended the riders for their outstanding efforts and determination to raise public awareness about breast cancer. He stressed the importance of such initiatives that serve the public interests of citizens and residents through equipping them to deal with threat of breast cancer, which has shown an alarming increase according to global figures. Attendees listened to a detailed presentation by Ameera BinKaram about the current Pink Caravan ride and its achievements in terms turnout of people and public interaction. Saleh Hamad Al Junaibi, Deputy Director of Khalifa Hospital, said: “We must emphasise that the Emirate has never witnessed such high levels public response with regards to early breast cancer detection screening. This proves the increase in peoples awareness through the Pink Caravan’s commitment to deliver its message as well as the collective efforts exerted by all in this regard. We are grateful to the Pink Caravan’s team and ready to ready to shoulder the responsibility with them to achieve optimum results on the ground.” The Pink Caravan’s mobile clinics were set up at Umm Al Quwain Hospital and Khalifa Hospital, after a journey of 34km. The fifth day of the ride saw the Pink Caravan’s medical teams provide screenings to 542 members of the public in both emirates. According to the fifth day’s figures, 457 women and 85 men received medical screenings, of them 226 were Emirati nationals and 316 expatriates, bringing the total number of people who received tests during the first 5 days to 2849 men and women. On the 5th day, 144 women were referred for mammogram screening and 17 women were referred for ultrasound examination. On Friday, the clinics will be at Sharjah National Park and on Saturday, the Pink Caravan will be in Dubai until Sunday, February 10. The clinics will operate at Ousha Bint Hussain Cultural Centre and Dubai Police Clinic. The Caravan will go on to Al Ain on Monday, where the clinics will be set up at Al Ain Municipality and Al Salamat Family Park. The Pink Caravan will culminate its journey in Abu Dhabi at Burjeel Hospital on Tuesday, February 12.