The Pink Caravan Ride, which will kick off on 16 March, has launched a mobile app to keep users updated with news on riders, events, clinic locations and a host of other information. The annual event, a pan-UAE breast cancer awareness initiative by the Friends of Cancer Patients charity (FoCP), aims to spread awareness about the early detection of cancer and help dispel misconceptions about the disease.
Ameera BinKaram, President of the Board of Trustees and founding member of FoCP, said, "The mobile app will enable the Pink Caravan to connect with a wider spectrum of community members in the UAE and other countries across the world to raise awareness which we hope will encourage them to undergo breast cancer early detection examinations."
The launch of the new smartphone and handheld device application, Pink Caravan, coincides with their 5th Anniversary. It will be available from the App Store in all Apple devices and Play Store on Android-powered devices. It offers Information about the mobile clinics accompanying the ride that provide free breast cancer screenings, along with educational and counselling services about the disease. It also updates users on events, participating riders, and the route the Pink Caravan Ride takes through the UAE. Users can also donate via the app.
BinKaram added, "The smart application also features information about the Pink Caravan ambassadors, including official figures, renowned artists, sportsmen and community celebrities who take part in the annual ride: and offers information about sponsors, companies and bodies that contribute to the Pink Caravan's success. I'd like to thank H.H. Dr. Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah for his immense support and generous patronage and Sheikha Jawaher bint Mohammed Al Qasimi, wife of the Ruler of Sharjah, Founder and Royal Patron of the Friends of Cancer Patients Society (FOCP) and International Ambassador of the World Cancer Declaration for Union for International Cancer Control (UICC) and International Ambassador for Childhood Cancer for UICC, for supporting the Pink Caravan."
The launch of the mobile app coincides with the annual ride from 16 to 25 March. The theme #aPinkThankYou is being used in an expression of gratitude and appreciation towards all individuals and organisations that provided support over the past five years, enabling the charity to offer breast cancer screenings to nearly 29,000 women and men from various nationalities and ages from all over the UAE.
The Pink Caravan also provides intensive support and treatment for 30 patients with breast cancer annually, at a total cost of Dh7.5 million.