Sharjah, February 10, 2020

The Higher Steering Committee of the Pink Caravan Ride (PCR), a pan-UAE breast cancer awareness initiative launched nine years ago by the UAE-based non-profit Friends of Cancer Patients (FOCP), will hold a press conference at The Flag Island – 1971 Building, in Sharjah tomorrow (Wednesday, February 12) to announce the detailed routes of the 10th edition of its annual ride, which will commence in Sharjah on February 26 and end in Abu Dhabi on March 6.

Starting at 10am, the press conference will be held in the presence of prominent PCR supporters and partners, as well as the 10thedition’s medical team and equine volunteers, and present full details of its routes this popular public ride will undertake over 10 days, covering 155.2 kms with scheduled stops in each emirate. The Higher Steering Committee will also share a detailed overview of medical screening venues and free check-up days earmarked for each emirate, as it aims to achieve its goal of 10,000 medical screenings in 10 days.  

PCR’s the Higher Steering Committee will offer a detailed overview of the awareness and advocacy methods that have successfully raised awareness of early detection and encouraged more than 64,000 medical screenings over the past nine years. As the campaign enters its 10thedition, the PCR committee will also highlight some of its major accomplishments since its inception in 2011 and outline its goals and aspirations for the coming years.

The annual Pink Caravan Ride sees experienced equine riders join forces with the medical fraternity and PCR volunteers to journey across the seven emirates offering free medical screenings in a bid to create awareness of the importance of regular screening and early detection of breast cancer.

Till date, this only-of-its-kind nationwide campaign geared towards heightening the UAE community’s breast cancer awareness, has recorded a total of 64,012 free medical screenings; enlisted the support of 795 medical clinics, covered 1,800 kilometres on horseback across the seven emirates with over 670 volunteering equine riders; mobilised 810 volunteers, and seen 73 individuals test positive for breast cancer.