How Pink Caravan Changed Breast Cancer Perceptions in the UAE

For the first time in the Pink Caravan ride’s history, young advocates of the campaign took part in an event with their horses to raise awareness for breast cancer and covered over a 7 km route on Friday at the Desert Palm Resort in Dubai.

The fourth day of the event was themed for the kids and a number of activities were organised to keep them busy while their mums ride the horses. Differently-abled kids and adults also participated and took a ride of around 1.5 km.

Al Joud Mohamed Al Hajaj, a 10-year-old girl, is new to the horse-riding world. The Grade 6 student from International School of Arts & Science in Dubai enthusiastically participated in the Kids Ride, with her mother and nine-year-old sister supporting her. “It was really fun and an extraordinary experience for me today. I am here for a great cause and I had to really support this as I know someone people who suffered from breast cancer. I think this is the best way to spread awareness about it and raise funds,” Al Hajaj said.

Pink Caravan’s only purpose is to get people to regularly check up and not be embarrassed of saying “breast cancer.” Sawsan Al Madhi, director-general of Friends of Cancer Patients (FoCP) and head of Pink Caravan’s Medical and Awareness Committee, said: “We are on a mission to eliminate taboos and build community awareness, so what happened at Saqr Hospital is truly encouraging for the Pink Caravan advocates. While it is true that the odds of a man getting breast cancer are about 1 in 1,000, they carry a higher mortality than women do, primarily because awareness among men is less, which can cause a delay in seeking treatment. We want the UAE’s citizens and residents, whether male or female, to take charge of their health and wellbeing, and we are right here to aid them in every way we can.”

WE SAID THIS: You go Pink Caravan!