Ride’s achievements dedicated to the memory of late Ameera BinKaram

• Closing ceremony attended by HE Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan
• The highest number of clinical examinations performed during a 10-day PCR 
• 100 riders and 70+ volunteers traveled over 200 km to spread breast cancer awareness in the UAE Year of Giving 
• 48,499 free clinical examinations offered since 2011 

Sharjah, 19 March 2017:   At the end of the seventh Pink Caravan Ride, the number of people’s lives this pan-UAE breast cancer campaign has touched with awareness about the importance of early detection through regular screenings speaks louder than words. The 10-day campaign broke its previous records, offering free screenings, mammograms and expert medical advice to 7,108 people – the highest the initiative has in its seven-year history. The numbers include 5,991 women, 1,117 men, 1583 locals, and 5570 residents who were received at 123 clinics operating out of the seven emirates by a team of 65 medical experts.   

The closing ceremony was held at Zayed Sports City in Abu Dhabi in the presence of HE Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, the UAE’s Head of Ministry of Culture, and Knowledge Development; Scott Charles Bolz, a US embassy representative; HE Jassim Al Bloushi, Head of Organisational Excellence at Sharjah Islamic Bank; HE Nada Askar, Director General of Sharjah Women Sports Foundation and Dr. Mai Al Jaber, Deputy Medical Director at Healthpoint Abu Dhabi, Specialist Public Health Medicine.

“Everyone present here epitomises deepening community awareness and passionate community development, and I am glad to be part of this celebration. I thank His Highness Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council Ruler of Sharjah; and his wife Her Highness Sheikha Jawaher Bint Mohammed Al Qasimi, Founder and Royal Patron of the ‘Friends of Cancer Patients’ (FoCP), International Ambassador of the World Cancer Declaration for Union for International Cancer Control (UICC) and International Ambassador for Childhood Cancer for UICC, for their keenness and glorious efforts in developing the health of the UAE’s society in the most practical and effective ways. In the Pink Caravan Ride’s efforts, the vision of the UAE’s wise leadership is clearly reflected,” said Sheikh Al Nahyan.

“The 7th Pink Caravan Ride did not just unite the nation, it united our hearts. In the UAE Year of Giving, we believe this was our biggest contribution to the spirit of humanitarianism. Many of you may think we meet tonight to conclude the Pink Caravan Ride. In fact, we are all here to renew our spirits for another march of hope,” said Reem BinKaram, Chairperson of the Higher Organising Committee of the Pink Caravan.  

“My beloved sister, the late Ameera BinKaram, established this year’s slogan, ‘7 Years for 7 Emirates’ and sowed the seeds for this seventh campaign before her passing. Every day, we enjoy the fruits of her compassionate spirit. It is due to her relentless efforts that PCR today has become a unique national example of community engagement, health and social dialogue for the upliftment of society. We dedicate this year’s achievements to her golden spirit,” Reem BinKaram added. 

The closing ceremony was attended by prominent UAE figures and VIPs, and also brought together all volunteers, the medical, events, equine, logistics and sports committees, and everyone else that contributed in any way to the event. A 10-minute short film capturing the essence of the year’s journey across the seven emirates, raising awareness about breast cancer and encouraging people to come forward and get screened, was screened. 

For their final horseback journey of the edition yesterday, the riders set off at Ikea Yas Island, and travelled 11.7 km to reach the finish line at Zayed Sports City. The last fundraiser, Pink Strides, a 7-km walkathon was held at Zayed Sports City and received great participation by the general public. The walk was broken up into three rounds, where participants received white, silver and pink bands upon the completion of each round. 

The seventh edition of PCR witnessed many firsts. Seven fixed clinics were inaugurated in the seven emirates, which offered free screenings to 2,699 patients. Their charity fundraiser Pink Bite, sold one burger for USD10,000 – the highest amount of money ever paid for a burger. A Children’s Ride was organised for the time in the campaign’s history to sensitise the youth about the risks and remedies of cancer from an early age. 

Sharjah Islamic Bank and Sharjah Media Corporation are PCR’s strategic partners. The main chapter sponsors included Bee’ah, DEWA and Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and DP World. 

While the nation’s battle against breast cancer is far from over, the UAE community’s awareness and eagerness to seek counsel and medical support is much higher now than it used to be, thanks to Pink Caravan Ride’s seven-year long efforts. 

Since 2011, Pink Caravan Ride has travelled 1,640 kilometres across the 7 emirates with 492+ riders, 700+ volunteers, providing free clinical examinations to 48,499 locals and residents in 578 clinics. These statistics are shared between 38,856 women and 9,643 men.