A total of 15,173 people, both Emiratis and expatriates, have benefited by the end of June from free early detection screenings and awareness lectures offered by the Pink Caravan as part of a nationwide cancer awareness campaign since it was launched in April 2011.

Pink Caravan campaign is an initiative by His Highness Dr Shaikh Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah, and his wife, Shaikha Jawaher bint Mohammed AI Qasimi, Chairperson of the Supreme Council for Family Affairs, and Founder and Patron of the Friends of Cancer Patients (FOCP).

According to Pink Caravan’s Medical and Awareness Committee, 4,804 people were screened in Dubai, 3,807 in Sharjah, 2,033 in Abu Dhabi, 1,551 in Ajman, 1,367 in Ras Al Khaimah, 1,210 in Fujairah and 401 in Umm Al Quwain.

Ameera BinKaram, FOCP President and Founding Member, said that the campaign gained a great response thanks to the immense official and public support for its noble message and goals across the Emirates.

“The UAE makes considerable efforts to raise health awareness among Emirati citizens and expatriates, and spares no means to make the country free from diseases that pose a threat to the health of society,” she said.

The Pink Caravan recently undertook a 10-day journey of over 330km on horseback from Sharjah to Abu Dhabi. More than 100 riders - both men and women - took part inthe journey. The Pink Caravan stopped at different sites across the Emirates, offering free early detection screenings for both Emiratis and expatriates at mobile medical clinics, schools and shopping malls where lectures and presentations were also made.

The three-year nationwide campaign will run until 2014.