UAE: 134km completed on horse-back as part of Pink Caravan's journey across emirates

WAM.org.ae

Apr 4, 2011 - 06:36 -

WAM SHARJAH: The Pink Caravan will today (Tuesday) complete the last leg of its tour through the Emirates, arriving at the Al Madam area and marking more than 134 kilometers on horse-back before heading to Dubai as part of its 10-day journey across the UAE.

The Pink Caravan visited all parts of the emirates of Sharjah, Ajman, Ras Al Khaima, Fujairah and Umm Al Qaiwain, - where more than seven mobile medical clinics were set up - offering early breast cancer detection examinations to more than 500 women during the first four days of its journey. It also visited nine schools to raise awareness among younger generations.

The Pink Caravan campaign - which will run until 11 April - set off from Sharjah, travelling 33 kilometers towards Al Dhaid on its first day before moving from the Al Dhaid Roundabout towards Falaj Al Mualla in Umm Al Quwain on its second day. It then headed towards Al Ghail in Ras Al Khaimah, passing through al Manama in Ajman and marking another 40 kilometers.

On the third day, the Pink Caravan proceeded to Al Masafi (17 kilometers) where it was joined by Sheikha Madiyah bint Hamad Al Sharqi, who then visited the Pink Caravan's mobile clinic at Masafi Hospital where she listened to an explanation of how the medical team provides guidance and creates awareness, how they teach prevention methods, and the mechanism of self-examination for breast cancer. The Pink Caravan is due to complete its 44 kilometer march to Al Madam in Sharjah today.

Sheikha Madiya expressed her happiness at participating in the humanitarian rider journey, which aims to raise awareness of the danger of breast cancer and the importance of early detection in local community. She hailed the initiative, saying that it is wonderful on both a humanitarian and an organizational level, and praised the magnificence of the campaign in linking awareness and healthcare with the caravan's journey on horses.

Said Sheikha Madiya: "I am honored to participate in this first of its kind humanitarian journey. The horse is a symbol of strength, patience, endurance and beauty, and I believe that the involvement of horses in this journey will provide some kind of moral support to all patients." Wafa Khalfan Bu Rungain, Project Executive of the Pink Caravan and Head of the Media and Public Relations Committee, said: "As we are close to completing half the set distance of the campaign's journey, we have already achieved our goal of spreading awareness among women about breast cancer and encouraging them to perform regular examinations.

"We invite everyone - especially the leading personalities in each community as they serve as role models for generations - to take part in the Pink Caravan's journey across the emirates and to support its objectives," she added.

Launched in February 2011, the campaign will continue to run until February 2014 to enable it to achieve all its goals, according to Wafa.

The Pink Caravan will be organizing sports activities at the Al Madam Ladies Club on Tuesday while the campaign's medical team will visit Al Madam Clinic and Al Thamid Clinic from 8am to 8pm.

WAM/MMYS