Pink Caravan provides free screenings across UAE

Sharjah, The Gulf Observer: Friends Of Cancer Patients (FOCP) and its partners – leading private and public entities – are ready to weed out breast cancer from the UAE in their collaborative drive to secure a healthy and prosperous future for the nation.

This Breast Cancer Awareness Month (BCAM), the Sharjah-based nonprofit’s leading breast cancer awareness initiative – Pink Caravan, is taking its state-of-the-art Mobile Medical Clinic and minivan clinics to four emirates across the nation, offering citizens and residents a unique opportunity to catch a free screening and consultation with the experts throughout the month of October.

A host of public activations have been planned with the support of the UAE Ministry of Health and Prevention (MoHAP) who will be supporting the cause with their technical on-ground resources, MSD, Pfizer, Adnoc and Amit Group and many more who have generously sponsored these important activities.

The Pink Caravan Mobile Medical Clinic along with Minivan clinic will be delivering free clinical breast examinations and Mammogram screenings at key locations in Sharjah. These include the University of Sharjah and Sharjah Emirates Identity Authority on October 4, 19 and 5 respectively. The timings in both locations will be 9am – 3pm.

Adding to the above, mammogram screenings as part of the mobile medical clinic activations will be held at Sharjah Ladies Club on October 7 between 4pm and 10 pm, and on October 27, 4pm- 10 pm at Al Majaz Waterfront in Sharjah.

During their activities in the emirate, the initiative has dedicated a full day to Ajman, where citizens and residents availed these free medical services at the popular City Centre on October 2, 4pm – 10pm.

Residents and citizens in the neighbouring emirate of Dubai can mark their calendars for a full breast health screening including free checkups and mammograms at Pink Caravan’s custom-built world-class clinic on wheels on October 3, 4pm – 10pm at City Walk. The Minivan will be available as well.

The initiative’s Minivan clinic will be offering free clinical breast examinations on October 15, 4pm – 10pm at La Mer and the following day on October 16, at the iconic Dubai Frame, also from 4pm – 10pm and on the same day there will be clinical breast examinations along with Minivan at 4pm-10pm at Mamzar Park and on October 23 at Raw cafe, Dubai from 10am-4pm.

The Mobile medical clinic activation will be offering free mammogram screenings on October 8, 4pm-10pm at Mirdif City Centre, and on October 28, at the Future Museum, also from 4pm- 10pm and it will conclude on October 30, at Dubai Digital Park “ We Conquer Event” in Dubai Silicon Oasis from 4pm- 10 pm as well.

The Pink Caravan will be boosting breast cancer awareness with free clinical breast examinations and expert consultations in the capital city of Abu Dhabi on October 8 at the Yas Mall from 4pm – 10pm, and the Umm Al Emarat Park on October 18, 4pm – 9pm.

Ashraf Mallak, Managing Director, MSD, GCC, said, “Breast cancer is the most common cancer globally and in the UAE, today. With patients being at the heart of our efforts, we at MSD are committed to improve long-term disease control and survival for patients living with breast cancer. We have and continue to invest in oncology research and have developed an immuno-oncology therapy that can be foundational for the treatment of breast cancer. We have a broad programme including 1,300 clinical trials underway studying more than 30 tumor types to date.”

“This year, we are joining forces with FOCP’s Pink Caravan to achieve a greater impact in the UAE. We look forward to a successful awareness campaign and encourage women to avail of screening where applicable for breast cancer,” he added.

Sawsan Jafar, Chairman of the Board of Directors, FOCP, said, “With hours of free screenings and checkups planned for multiple locations across the nation, we are ready as we will ever be to deliver a successful Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Last year, our Pink Caravan initiative delivered thousands of free breast health checkups (early detection screenings) including 2,197 clinical breast examinations, 1,019 mammograms and 208 ultrasound tests. This testifies to both the generosity and support extended by our sponsors and partners as well as the willingness of members of the UAE community to actively participate in securing their own health and wellbeing”.

“We are fortunate to have received the support of so many private and public sector entities to promote breast cancer awareness and drive early detection efforts this October. We always need more assistance to be able to make the greatest impact. I, therefore, urge our supporters – sponsors, public and private entities and the people – to ensure the success of our advocacy efforts once again. With a responsible community and committed philanthropists, the UAE will always be a step ahead of breast cancer,” she added.