Since 2011, the Pink Caravan Ride has been raising awareness of breast cancer.

Gulf Today, Staff Reporter

A spectacular pink brigade with a large team of volunteers, equine riders, and medical professionals will embark on a nationwide trek across the seven emirates on February 2022, as the annual Pink Caravan Ride (PCR),a pan-UAE breast cancer awareness initiative, gets under way to lead an awareness drive about breast cancer, its risks, detection, and prevention. For its 11th edition, Pink Caravan Ride – an initiative of Friends of Cancer Patients (FOCP), the UAE-based civil society organisation dedicated to raising awareness about cancer and offering support to patients – is calling on horse riders from across the country to saddle up and be a part of the seven-day ride across the seven emirates where free medical consultation and breast cancer screening will be offered to UAE residents.

For the first time in its history, PCR is adopting a new format with this edition which will allow seasoned and inexperienced riders to choose their participation level – the entire pan-UAE trek, or opt for select equestrian routes across the nation. This year, PCR will also allow professional stables to take part in the annual awareness ride. The Higher Steering Committee of PCR also announced the participation of stables across the UAE would facilitate the involvement of a larger number of riders through providing a range of equine services and organising special events to attract riders of all nationalities and ages to join forces for a worthy cause.

Participants can opt to take professional riding lessons; experience a tranquil equine desert escape; or enjoy an exclusive beach ride, depending on the services offered by the stables. Inexperienced riders wishing to contribute to the Pink Caravan Ride can also pursue their equestrian dreams by learning to ride. The fees charged for these services will go towards supporting breast cancer patients. To support PCR’s mission to create a more cancer-aware society in the UAE, interested equestrian clubs can email riders@pinkcaravan.ae to join the ride this year.

Individual riders can look out for details of participating stables on the website, www.pinkcaravan.ae. PCR will accept rider registrations from January 3 for its 11th edition and fitness tests, including assessing of equestrian skills, will be conducted on January 16. Reem BinKaram, Chairperson of the Higher Steering Committee of PCR, said: “The Pink Caravan Ride returns in February 2022 after postponing the annual event last year in line with the precautionary measures taken by the UAE government to ensure the safety of the community and curb the spread of COVID-19.

In its 11th edition, PCR’s horse riders will once again raise awareness on the importance of early detection of breast cancer and organise free screenings and clinical examinations for all UAE residents.” BinKaram added: “Under the directives and support of Her Highness Sheikha Jawaher Bint Mohammed Al Qasimi, wife of the Ruler of Sharjah, Founder and Royal Patron of FOCP, the Pink Caravan Ride has completed a successful decade by bringing together all segments of the Emirati community, and rallying institutional support in the fight to reduce the burden of the impact of breast cancer.

The annual ride has also brought to the fore the strong spirit of volunteerism and civic duty of the riders. These volunteers will continue to play a pivotal role in galvanising education and awareness efforts through the 7-day ride across the UAE. I call upon all segments of the community to continue the UAE’s proud tradition of philanthropy and ensure the success of the Pink Caravan Ride in 2022.” Since 2011, PCR has been trekking across the seven emirates annually to raise awareness of the importance of early detection of breast cancer, offering free medical consultations and screenings to UAE residents. To date, 820 equestrians from different nationalities have travelled more than 1,950 km, while PCR clinics have recorded 80 cancer cases from over 75,000 free screenings offered to both men and women.