Pink Caravan day 3: Ride covers over 25km in eight hours

Dubai - Sarah Hammoudeh, a rider who has participated in the Pink Caravan since its inception, noted that "breast cancer is not something to fear".

 A total of 588 free breast cancer screenings - 516 for women and 72 for men - were carried out on the second day of the 7th Annual Pink Caravan Ride (PCR).
The total includes 111 Emiratis and 477 expatriates, who underwent 180 mammograms, 370 regular screenings and 38 ultrasounds. Of the 588 walk-ins, 169 screenings were conducted at the fixed PCR clinics across the emirates, and 419 at the daily clinics.
Starting at Fujairah Men's College, the ride covered 25.6km in eight hours carrying the theme "Seven Years... for Seven Emirates" and making several stops throughout to promote the message of breast cancer awareness and the benefits of its early detection.
Medical clinics for free breast cancer screenings, mammograms and other relevant tests were set up in Eastern Fujairah at Khor Fakkan Hospital, and at two locations in Fujairah - Al Fujairah Hospital and Dibba Al Fujairah hospital. All units were receiving visitors through the day from 9am to 7pm.
In support of breast cancer awareness on the occasion of International Women's Day, 10 riders from the Godolphin Flying Start, a global leadership programme specialising in the international Thoroughbred racing and breeding industry, were seen riding with Pink Caravan throughout the Fujairah leg.
"I am here because my family was personally touched by cancer. My mother just finished six months of cancer treatment, and she is okay now. She was very lucky they caught it early. It is very important to raise awareness, and for women to get screened early so they can get treated early," said 28-year-old Michael Smith, an American from California. "Not only for their own health . but for their families as well."
Sarah Hammoudeh, a rider who has participated in the Pink Caravan since its inception, noted that "breast cancer is not something to fear".
"If detected early it is totally curable. If you feel something isn't right with your body, go get it checked immediately - this is one of the main messages we at Pink Caravan Ride aims to reach out to people with. Early screening and detection symbolise hope. It is your chance for a better life," she said. "The Pink Caravan Ride has been spreading the honourable message of health and happiness for seven years. To see all these women walk in, ask us questions, get their check-ups done and empower themselves with knowledge, makes us so happy. All the exhaustion and hard work is worth it," she added.
The 10-day ride is travelling across the seven emirates from March 7 to 17, offering free breast cancer screenings and raising awareness about the disease.
The riders have today off, to get ready for the next leg during which they will cover Ras Al Khaimah, Um Al Quwain, Ajman and Dubai, finally reaching Abu Dhabi where they will campaign for two days before the closing ceremony at Zayed Sports City on March 17.
Pink Yoga
On Saturday, the Pink Caravan will hold a "Pink Yoga" session at Dubai Ladies Club. The outdoor yoga session will be conducted by yoga experts from 5pm to 7pm.
Donations
To enhance people's participation and charitable acts in the 'UAE Year of Giving 2017', donations for the Pink Caravan, as low as Dh5 can be made by sending an SMS to 2302 (Etisalat or du). Direct fund transfers can be made to Pink Caravan's Sharjah Islamic Bank account. The global online social platform 'JustGiving', or Pink Caravan's official website, Facebook account or their mobile app - Pink Caravan - can also be used for making donations.

Volunteers pamper a horse at Dibba Park before the Pink Caravan Ride started its third day on Thursday.
It's an honour to ride for this special cause
The horse riders for the Pink Caravan spoke to Khaleej Times on the third day of the campaign in Dibba about wanting to spread the message of early screenings through riding on their horses.
Three out of the 15 horse riders from the campaign spoke about the 'honour' of riding for a special cause.
Hind Al Janahi, an Emirati endurance rider, said: "It's an honour to ride for the Pink Caravan. We have so many different nationalities who have joined the Pink Caravan and we're like one family. As a UAE national, I feel so proud that I'm doing this for the country. I'm encouraging all women to go for free screening because early prevention can save a life.
"I've been riding horses for seven years and this is my fifth year riding for the Pink Caravan. I ride everyday and I have my own horses as well. I know nothing in life but riding. It's my passion."
Nader Nassar, 21, said he is riding for the Pink Caravan because it is important for him to spread the message that men should also get early screenings.
This is the sixth year the Australian-Egyptian national is riding for this special cause. "Not only women should do the screening but men as well, because it affects men too and prevention is very important. I think we are doing a great job in spreading awareness."
A Jordanian horse rider and medical researcher, Sarah Hammoudeh, has been with the campaign since it started seven years ago. The 23-year-old and her three siblings ride horses and help in anyway they can each year.
sarwat@khaleejtimes.com, reporters@khaleejtimes.com