274km, 12 hours, 7 Emirates, one 'Journey of Hope'

Dubai - Covering a total of 274km over 12 hours, the charity ride - which is supported by the Red Crescent - aims to raise money to help families across the UAE who need support with medical costs

In November 2014, Samantha Youseff lay in a hospital bed in Dubai, barely clinging to life. Falling in and out of consciousness she had suffered severe internal bleeding from an ectopic pregnancy.
Battling for her life and undergoing four blood transfusions, Youseff was presented with a Dh60,000 hospital bill as her insurance didn't cover her for maternity.

But she said it was that experience which put the wheels in motion - quite literally - for 'Journey of Hope'.

Samantha Youseff, a teacher at the Dubai International Academy who's joining the charity ride called Journey of Hope.- Photo by Dhes Handumon/Khaleej Times
A three-day charity bike ride which kicks off in Fujairah on December 1 and concludes in Abu Dhabi on December 3, 'Journey of Hope' will see more than 70 participants - including 14 school teachers in Dubai - pedal their hearts out across all seven Emirates over the National Day Weekend.
Covering a total of 274km over 12 hours, the charity ride - which is supported by the Red Crescent - aims to raise money to help families across the UAE who need support with medical costs.
Now in its second year, Youseff tells Khaleej Times how it all began.
Pedal for a cause
"'From the ashes' is a phrase I use to describe how Journey of Hope was born," she said.
"I think from something bad should come something good so when I was recovering in my hospital bed back in 2014, I knew I wanted to make good of my traumatic experience."
After becoming pregnant with her first child two years ago, the Dubai International Academy teacher was sadly told by doctors she had miscarried just weeks into the pregnancy.
However, following a collapse at home one day, Youseff was rushed to hospital. It was discovered she was in fact going through an ectopic pregnancy, which resulted in severe internal bleeding.
But doctors could not perform the emergency surgery she needed as her medical insurance did not cover her.
"The hospital needed a down payment of Dh30,000 before they would admit me to theatre. We fortunately had a credit card which we could use and I was wheeled in," she said.
And if she didn't have the surgery, she wouldn't be here today.
"If they transferred me to a government hospital as was planned, I would have died en route."
While recovering from the ordeal at home, that's when the idea for 'Journey of Hope' came about.
"I just thought about other people going through what I went through, so I knew I needed to help them."
And her husband, three step children and close friends championed her every step.
"Their compassion, empathy and support is what drives me."
On Thursday, Youseff and 50 other riders will begin the journey, cycling 67km around Fujairah - 36km of which will be uphill.
On Day 2, to celebrate the UAE's National Day, 57 cyclists will then travel 87km through RAK, UAQ, Ajman and Sharjah, with Day 3 marking the longest journey: a 120km stretch between Dubai and Abu Dhabi.
Covering 274km in all, Youseff said she hopes to top last year's fundraiser which made Dh40,000 for the Red Crescent.
"The money we raise will go to anyone unable to pay for an emergency surgery and they will be covered no matter which hospital in Dubai that they find themselves in."
Map the journey
Day 1 - Fujairah - 67km - 51 riders - 3 hours - 7am start time
Day 2 - RAK-UAQ-Ajman-Sharjah - 87km - 57 riders - 3.5/4 hours - 7am start time
Day 3 - Dubai-Abu Dhabi - 120km - 72 riders - 5.5 hours - 6am start time
'Journey of Hope' stats
25kmph is minimum speed per cyclist
274km total distanced covered
12 hours will be spent riding
Dh40,000 raised in 2015
Participating hospitals:
Mediclinic City Hospital, Dubai
Al Rahba Hospital, Abu Dhabi
Al Sharq Hospital, Fujairah
Al Qassimi Hospital, Sharjah
Al Saqr Hospital, Ras Al Khaimah
kelly@khaleejtimes.com

• Dubai