Sharjah launches Pink Caravan Ride 2016

His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah, launched the Pink Caravan’s Ride 2016 today at the Sharjah Equestrian and Racing Club.

The 2016 Ride, under the theme “Soldiers of Pink Hope” that will run until March 17, aiming to enhance the community awareness about breast cancer, the importance of its early detection, and to offer free breast cancer screenings for men and women across the country during the 10 days of the ride.

In his keynote speech, Sheikh Dr. Sultan Al Qasimi confirmed that the UAE will always be the land of hope and tender, praising the great humanitarian role of the “Friends of Cancer Patients” organisation, established in 1999, and their various initiatives, particularly The Pink Caravan, that have widely contributed to spread hope and awareness.

His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan Al Qasimi said: “Today the Soldiers of Pink Hope are setting off on the Pink Caravan sixth’s march, riding all over the UAE, calling everyone to be checked up. Let’s support them by repeating the same call, as it means hope in life”.

His Highness thanked the members of Friends of Cancer Patients society and the members of the Pink Caravan initiative, led by Her Highness Sheikha Jawaher Bint Mohammed Al Qasimi, who has devoted her effort, time and money to make the hope of life. He ended his speech by saying: “Let us cooperate together in spreading the noble message of the Pink Caravan.”

His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan signed an agreement to buy and equip a mobile clinic, with the presence of Ameera BinKaram, Founding Member and President of FoCP's Board of Trustees and Chairperson of the Pink Caravan's Higher Steering Committee, André Freeman, Managing Partner of IIN Healthcare Company. The equipped mobile clinic will be sent to the University Hospital-Sharjah, UHS, which will manage its operation, in cooperation with the Friends of Cancer Patients and Gustave Roussy Institute.

The launching ceremony was attended by a number of prominent figures, including Sheikh Sultan bin Ahmed Al Qasimi, Chairman of Sharjah Media Corporation, Dr. Cary Adams, Chief Executive of the International Cancer Control Union, Katie Dain, Executive Director of the Non-Communicable Diseases (NCD) Alliance, HE Ameera BinKaram, Founding Member and President of FoCP's Board of Trustees and Chairperson of the Pink Caravan's Higher Organising Committee.

The event was also attended by a number of prominent figures, heads and directors of government authorities and establishments in Sharjah and the UAE, representatives of partner and sponsoring bodies, Pink Caravan's ambassadors and media representatives.

During the ceremony, a short documentary was shown, featuring achievements and milestones made by the Pink Caravan over the past five years.

On the second day, March 08, the riders will move from Al Dhaid Hospital at 9am to reach their stop at Masafi Hospital at 4:30pm, traveling 21.5 km.

On day 3, Wednesday, March 09, the horseback expedition will flag off from City Centre Fujairah at 9am, heading to Khorfakkan arriving at Oceanic Khorfakkan Resort at 4:30pm, cutting 22.8 km.

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