Pink Caravan Ride-Higher Steering Committee chairperson Reem BinKaram along with other officials at the press conference. Kamal Kassim/Gulf Today

Mariecar Jara-Puyod, Senior Reporter

After a decade and for 10 days, the annual Pink Caravan Ride (PCR) would gallop once again across the UAE from Feb.26 (Wednesday)—in keeping with one of the goals of the Friends of Cancer Patients (FoCP)—breast cancer awareness leading to more people becoming more pro-active on acting against it.

The 2020 theme is “#Plenty Is Not Enough” which PCR-Higher Steering Committee chairperson Reem BinKaram expounded in her speech delivered at the Wednesday morning press conference in Flag Island, Sharjah.

The theme choice was based on the spirit of volunteerism which has grown among both public and private individuals since Feb. 2011 when the project-turned-initiative-turned humanitarian campaign was announced by Sheikha Jawaher Bint Mohammed Al Qasimi, Wife of His Highness UAE Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, Dr. Sultan Bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Royal Patron of Friends of Cancer Patients and International Ambassador for the World Cancer Declaration of the Union for International Cancer Control.

“Since the beginning of this ride, we have witnessed an annual growth in the participating volunteers and medical professionals, and in the responsiveness of official and community bodies. When we started in 2011, there were only 50 volunteers. (With PCR came) the latest equipment and screening methods (contributing) to the detection of 75 cases so far. Over the years, PCR has provided 64,012 free examinations costing over Dhs30 million, and 670 of our volunteer riders have travelled over 1,800 kilometers so far.”

BinKaram also said: “‘Plenty Is Not Enough. It confirms that the movement created by PCR is continuous, grows and increases every day in terms of societal as well as media support, in order to protect more lives and families. We are not finished yet. As long as there is even one individual in the community who needs care and attention, then plenty is not enough.”

PCR-Medical and Awareness Committee head Dr. Sawsan Al Madhi said social and digital media have had a positive impact on the campaign since on a yearly basis, two volunteer equines—one from Germany and one who does humanitarian work in Brazil and Chile—fly into the UAE to participate.

“We have a doctor who has been with us since she was a student as a rider.”

Among the 2020 150 riders are Hind Al Janahi and Nader Nassar (since 2011), Hind Al Jeaidi (since three years back), while Omar Abdullah is a first timer. There are 350 doctors and over 100 ground/medical/healthcare personnel manning the mobile clinic and 70 other fixed clinics across the country.

Nasser and Abdullah believe their participation would help reach out to more men who must be reminded that breast knows no gender while it could be overcome.

BinKaram mentioned the PCR-Volunteer Committee when Gulf Today raised the question on signing up. This committee handles all queries for those interested as riders or ground/medical/healthcare personnel.

Volunteer riders who must know at the least basic riding skills are from age 16 and above who may be officially signed up for the 10-day trek, depending on the results of their fitness and endurance tests which are all in accordance with international standards and in collaboration with selected partner stables in the UAE.

Young children may join as “walking volunteers” on designated dates so as not to disrupt school attendance.

Sharjah Islamic Bank-Organisational Excellence head Jassim Al Bloushi and Sharjah Broadcasting Authority-Sharjah Sport TV manager Rashid Al Obad in their respective speeches stated that PCR must continually be supported by way of corporate social responsibility.

Al Madhi at the open forum said the PCR would not have gone this far without volunteerism which has resulted in the early detection of breast cancer in both women and both of different backgrounds and varying ages since 2011.

She pointed out that treatment plans may last until five years as medical procedures which include radiotherapy and chemotherapy may range between Dhs100,000.00 to Dhs500,000.00.