Pink Caravan riders spreading hope on horsebacks

Some 100 male and female equestrians annually join the Pink Caravan Ride, an initiative by the Friends of Cancer Patients, FoCP, dedicated to promoting breast cancer awareness and the importance of its early detection.

Equipped with the spirit of community activism, volunteerism and courage, the riders map the length of the UAE every year and travel hundreds of kilometres on horsebacks furthering their mission to spread awareness and hope, epitomising the noble spirit of individuals who make the happiness and safety of others their own personal goal.

These riders play a central role in emphasising the Pink Caravan’s message of the essentiality of a strong community spirit in dealing with and winning over a disease like cancer, where everyone is an active participant in the process of sensitising the public, raising support across sectors, and fortifying one’s personal responsibility for humanitarian initiatives and community service. They exert immense efforts in encouraging all segments of society to visit the Pink Caravan Ride’s clinics to get free breast cancer examinations.

Over the past seven years, more than 590 male and female riders have covered over 1,640 km across the seven emirates. They have contributed effectively to attracting thousands of people to the Pink Caravan Ride’s medical clinics and associated activities. Their efforts have reflected on the growing number of people every year who have come forward to get themselves examined.

In its seven annual editions, the Pink Caravan Ride has offered free medical examinations and screenings to 48,874 people including 32,093 expat residents and 16,781 Emiratis. Of these, 9,643 were men. Medical examinations worth AED24 million were offered through 578 fixed and mobile medical clinics across the country.

Running from February 28th to March 6th, the eighth Pink Caravan Ride coincides with the ‘Year of Zayed’, which was declared to mark the birth centenary of the country’s founding father, will see many initiatives that will celebrate his humanitarian legacy. Owing to this, the 2018 ride is anticipating a roaring response from enthusiastic and passionate horse riders, who will volunteer in the ride to show their gratitude and appreciation for the sacrifices that were made by the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, and reaffirm the nation’s vow to follow on his footsteps.

Badr Al Juaidi, Manager of the Pink Caravan Ride, said, "Throughout our history, horses have shaped the conscience of Arab peoples and their authentic identity as they are traditionally seen as symbols of goodness and courage. Bravery and humanitarian work are two sides of the same coin. Horses are still important and seen as a source of dependability and nobility in Arab households, despite the rapid development of vehicular transportation in the world."

Follow Emirates 24|7 on Google News.