Pink Caravan reveal details of their ‘7 Years.. for 7 Emirates’ Ride from 7 to 17 March
7 Fixed Medical Clinics across the 7 Emirates
7 Awareness Events throughout the 7th Pink Caravan Ride 

Sharjah, 7 February 2017:  It is that time of year in the UAE when Sharjah-based Friends of Cancer Patients’ (FoCP’s) annual cancer campaign, the Pink Caravan Ride, is back and will carry out a 10-day cancer awareness drive across the seven emirates from 7 to 17 March. 

This will be the Ride’s the 7th edition under the theme ‘7 Years.. for 7 Emirates’, and celebrates the union of the seven emirates. It also strongly upholds the ‘spirit of giving’, as it boldly continues its mission to promote breast cancer awareness, spread the importance of early detection and organise free screenings across the UAE, regardless of age, sex or nationality.

Being held under the generous patronage of Her Highness Sheikha Jawaher Al Qasimi, wife of His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah, Founder and Royal Patron of FoCP, International Ambassador for the World Cancer Declaration of the Union for International Cancer Control (UICC) and International Ambassador for Childhood Cancer for UICC, the itinerary of this horseback expedition, including its equine route, medical route, fundraising initiatives, and events, was announced by the Higher Organising Committee of the Pink Caravan Ride at a press conference held today (Tuesday) at Flag Island.

In her welcome speech, Reem BinKaram, Chairperson of the Higher Organising Committee of the Pink Caravan Ride said: “For the first time, the Pink Caravan Ride will see the inauguration of seven stationed clinics in the seven emirates. Medical teams at these clinics will receive people who want to undergo screenings, and take up visitor queries. These clinics will be stationed at Al Majaz Waterfront in Sharjah, Dubai City Walk, Abu Dhabi Corniche, Ajman Corniche, Al Hamra Mall in Ras Al Khaimah, Al Khazzan Healthcare Clinic in Umm Al Quwain. In Fujairah, it will be located at Al Khazan Health Center.”

Bin Karam elaborated: 'We are all here today – organisers and sponsors, doctors and nurses, riders and volunteers, media persons and audiences – to send a message of goodness far and wide. This is a reinforcement of our dedication to our community to help them lead a healthy life, and prepare a society fully aware of breast cancer. I would like to wholeheartedly thank all members, supporters and sponsors, who have taken us from strength to strength in helping us fulfill our vision and broaden the scope of our goals each year.”

His Excellency Mohamed Khalaf, Manager of Sharjah TV and Radio, extended his profound thanks to His Highness Sheikh Dr Sultan Al Qasimi, as well as his wife, Her Highness Sheikha Jawaher Bint Mohammed Al Qasimi, Founder and Royal Patron of the Friends of Cancer Patients Society (FoCP), for their ongoing humanitarian and community initiatives. 

Expressing his pride in how the Sharjah Media Corporation (SMC) has been working hand in hand with the Pink Caravan as their media partner and support sponsor, Khalaf said: “Pink Caravan’s invaluable contribution to society propels us to continue to provide excellent media support and sponsorship. This initiative has been able to truly make a difference to the UAE, and has helped us fulfill our social and philanthropic mission in society. Six years ago, we assisted the Pink Caravan in their first purchase of a mobile clinic, and have not looked back since.”

Praising all efforts made by the late Ameera BinKaram, former Chairperson of the Pink Caravan Organising Committee, he added: “She was the one who took the Pink Caravan from being a mere idea to making it an internationally recognised cancer awareness campaign.”

Representing another sponsorship partner, Sharjah Islamic Bank, their Head of Organisational Excellence, HE Jassem Al Bloushi, said: Sharjah’s strong commitment in providing a good life to human beings irrespective of gender, age, or nationality deserves our complete support. We, at Sharjah Islamic Bank, are keen to fully participate in every FoCP and Pink Caravan initiative organised under the vision and patronage HH Sheikh Sultan Al Qasimi and his Wife, HH Sheikha Jawaher Al Qasimi, to safeguard the comfort and happiness of all.” 

“Despite dear Ameera’s passing, we will continue this march,” he added. 

Dr Ayesha Suhail, Director of Primary Healthcare, MOHAP, said: “I hereby declare the Ministry of Health as full partners of the Pink Caravan Ride, which will set off on 7 March. We are well prepared for the campaign, and will provide free screenings and mammograms throughout the Ride.”

Dr Sawsan Al Madhi, Director General of FoCP, and Head of Pink Caravan’s Medical Awareness Committee, along with Badr Al Juaidi, Head of Logistics Services Committee, discussed the categories of routes that PCR will undertake during the 10-day cross-emirate campaign. 

The Equine Route
The ride on the equine route will begin at 10:00am, Tuesday, 7 March, from the Sharjah Equestrian and Racing Club, and travel 16 kilometres to stop at Masafi Hospital at 6:50pm. On day 2 (Wednesday, 8 March), the riders will begin their journey from Fujairah Men's Higher College of Technology, and cover 25.6 kms to end the ride at the Oceanic Hotel in Khorfakkan at 4:45pm. 

Day 3 (Thursday, 9 March), will set off from the Dibba Al Fujairah Beach Park at 9:30am, passing through several stops across Dibba city, and cover 25.6 kms to return to the starting point at 4:20pm. 

Friday, 10 March will be a rest day for the riders.

On day 4 (Saturday, 11 March), participating equestrians will set off from Saqr Hospital in Ras Al Khaimah at 9:30am, and arrive at the emirate’s Beach Road at 3:30pm, traveling 20.5 kms. On day 5, (Sunday, 12 March), the ride will arrive in Umm Al Quwain Hospital at 9:30am, and reach the Salt Restaurant in Ajman at 5:20pm, travelling 19.5 kms. 

On the 6th day, (Monday, 13 March), the ride will set off at Kempinski Hotel Ajman at 9.30 am, to reach Al Majaz Waterfront at 4pm, after traversing 21.4 kilometres. On its 7th day, (Tuesday, 14 March), the ride will start at the Ministry of Health and Prevention in Dubai at 10:00am, and arrive at the Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre, travelling 21.9 kms at 3:45pm.

On day 8 (Wednesday, 15 March) the riders will start off at City Walk Dubai at 9:30am, arriving at Kite Beach in Jumeirah at 4:20pm, travelling 16.5kms. The riders will flag off their journey on the 9th day, (Thursday, 16 March), at 10:00am from Abu Dhabi’s Yas Island, to head to the Executive Council HQ, covering 14.5 kms and are expected to arrive at 1:30pm.

On the 10th and final day of the tour, the Pink Caravan Ride will kick off at 1:30pm from the Ikea Store on Yas Island and traverse 11.7 kms to reach Zayed Sports City.

The Medical Route
On 7 March, medical clinics will be set up at Al Supreme Council of Family Affairs - Sharjah, Family Health Promotion Center - Sharjah, The Ruler’s Court - Sharjah, Sajaya Young Ladies – Sharjah. A mobile medical clinic will be available at Al Dhaid Hospital - Sharjah.  

On 8 March, they will be available at Khorfakkan Hospital - Sharjah, Dibba Al Fujairah Hospital and the mobile medical van will be at Al Fujairah Hospital. On 9 March, medical clinics will be available in Al Thameed Clinics in Sharjah, Al Saqr Hospital - RAK, Dibba Al Hisn Health Center – Sharjah. The mobile medical van will be at Kalba Hospital – Sharjah. 

10 March will be a rest day for the activities on the Medical Route as well. 

On Saturday, 11 March, medical clinics will be stationed in Ras Al Khaimah, at Shaam Hospital, and Dubai Ladies Club. The mobile medical van will be at the Expo Centre in RAK. On 12 March, medical clinics will be stationed in Salama Health Center - UAQ, Um Al Quwain Hospital, Sheikh Khalifa Specialised Hospital – Ajman. The mobile medical van will be at Al Manama Health Center in UAQ. 

As for 13 March, they will be available in City Medical Center - Ajman, Sharjah Islamic Bank – Sharjah, Mughaider Child Center - Sharjah and the mobile medical van will be at the Muzaira Health Center - Ajman. On Tuesday, 14 March, clinics will be available in United Medical Center – Wafi Mall - Dubai, St Mary Catholic Church – Dubai, Etisalat HQ – Dubai, while the mobile clinic will be stationed at the Emirates Transport HQ - Dubai. On 15 March, medical clinics will continue to provide free screenings at the Safa Community Health Canter - Dubai, IACAD Dubai, Zayed Military Hospital – Sharjah, and the mobile medical van will be at DEWA HQ in Dubai. 

On 16 March, the final day of the Medical Route’s campaign, the clinics will be available at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs - Dubai, ADNOC HQ - AUH, while the mobile medical van will be at the Grand Sheikh Zayed Mosque Centre in AUH.

Awareness Events Schedule 
Nada Askar Al Naqbi, Head of Events Committee, took stage to take the attendants through the Pink Caravan Ride’s activities and events itinerary. 

“For the first time in Pink Caravan’s history, we will be hosting a ‘Pink Caravan Children’s Ride’ on Friday, 10 March at the Desert Palm Dubai from 2pm to 5pm. This Ride is aimed at teaching the nation’s youth the importance of humanitarian causes, thereby increasing their participation in the same,” Al Naqbi said.  

“A new highlight this year is ‘Pink Yoga, an exclusive event for women, organised in collaboration with the Dubai ladies Club. It will take place from 5pm to 7pm on Saturday, 11 March. Another highlight is the ‘Pink Steps’ run, where participating women will run for 7 kms at the Khalid Lagoon in Sharjah. A Boat Parade will also be organised in conjunction with the Sharjah Marine Sports Club, on Monday, 13 March 13, from 5pm to 7pm, and from 1pm to 5pm, on Wednesday, 15 March 15, at the Palm Dubai. We will continue to organise our most successful event, ‘Pink Bite’, which will be held at the Galleries Lafayette in Dubai Mall on 14 March from 6pm to 8pm, where seven chefs together with seven Pink Caravan ambassadors will prepare a pink Emirati meal for auction” she added. 

A special programme marking the closing ceremony of the Pink Caravan Ride will be showcased in Abu Dhabi on 17 March, the details of which will be announced later.

Donations for the Pink Caravan, as low as AED 5 can be made by sending a Du SMS to 2302. Direct fund transfers can be made to Pink Caravan's Sharjah Islamic Bank account. The global online social platform ‘JustGiving’, or PC’s official website, their Facebook account - ThePinkCaravan, or their mobile app – Pink Caravan, can also be used for making donations.

The Pink Caravan initiative is supported by the UAE's wise leadership and the UAE society, both citizens and residents, to enable it to achieve its goals of awareness, advocacy, and supporting patients with has offered free medical examinations throughout the UAE. Over the past six years, the Pink Caravan has travelled 1,420 kms across the seven emirates, and offered free screenings to more than 41,000 citizens and residents, including men and women.