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Walking for a cause

Breast cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related deaths for women; and since 1940, the lifetime risk of contracting the disease has risen from 1 in 22 to a staggering 1 in 3. Early detection of the cancer does, however, increase survival rates from 18 to 93 percent.

Covering 3.5 kilometres, the Pink Walkathon route started from BurJuman Centre, headed straight towards the creek, passed the British Consulate, went round the Al Fahidi round-a-bout and then returned to BurJuman. Masafi provided water at several water-stops for the participants.

A non-competitive event, participants included men, women and families who took part to remember those who lost their battle with the disease and to celebrate those who have overcome and survived the cancer.

The Safe & Sound campaign is being conducted by BurJuman for the last six years and this year's Pink Walkathon was arranged so as to involve the community in a more direct way. This time, the organisers were happy to note that the numbers involved demonstrated the support and charitable nature of the UAE residents.

"BurJuman is proud to be behind this initiative for another year and we hope that the efforts and messages of the campaign are heeded so that we can help create a safer and more aware world for ourselves, our mothers, wives and daughters. All sponsors and organisers are also very pleased to note the kind co-operation of the Dubai Government and the Police for facilitating the route and marshalling the traffic during the event," said Ms Sabina Khandwani, Head of Research and Marketing at BurJuman.

"The Safe & Sound campaign has been an intrinsic part of the social fabric at BurJuman for over six years now; and we hope that — combined with other initiatives such as the fashion shows hosted by us with breast cancer survivors as models and the collaboration with Dubai's Welcare Hospital to provide free consultations from qualified medical professionals — we do our part to alert people to the dangers of the disease," she said.

Registration for the Pink Walkathon was split into two categories — corporate and individuals — with entrance fees at Dh100 and Dh50 respectively. All proceeds from the event are to be donated to the Oncology Department of Al Tawam Hospital, Al Ain.

Having started on October 1, Safe & Sound will continue throughout the month in a major effort to widen awareness among women about the dangers of the disease, and to impart practical advice on how this life-threatening disease can be detected.

• UAE