Publication date: Sunday, October 6, 2024, 6:00 a.m.
More than 150 female and male cyclists wearing pink kit will take to the streets this month for the second edition of the Pink Tour, a community initiative to raise awareness about the importance of early detection and screening for breast cancer. Driving on the roads of the United Arab Emirates.
The bike tour was created by Los Habibis, a Dubai-based grassroots cycling collective, for Pink Caravan, an initiative by Friends of Cancer Patients (FOCP) focused on breast cancer awareness and early detection. It was launched in 2023 as a one-day event.
This year, the tour has expanded to a three-day event on October 13th, 19th, and 26th. The bike passes through Sharjah, Ras Al Khaimah, Fujairah and Dubai. Each ride will feature a participant village at the start, offering cyclists support, refreshments and an opportunity to learn more about FOCP’s community work.
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Los Habibis founder Robert Resto said the decision to expand this year’s Pink Tour comes after an overwhelming response to the first edition, with even more cyclists eager to take part. he said.
“Last year we started with 60 cyclists, but as we planned this year’s event, we were surprised by the number of local residents who wanted to participate,” said Resto.
Cyclists for the Pink Tour were selected through a registration process, with participation limited to intermediate and advanced riders able to cover the distance. The event will be led by professional cyclists and supported by police escorts, ambulances and technical teams to ensure the safety of participants.
“We also want to widen the reach of our awareness campaign, which is why we currently cover four emirates, and it’s incredible to see how this has grown. We are bringing together 12-year-old cyclists to dedicate their weekends to highlight a cause that impacts the lives of many people in the UAE,” Resto added.
share your personal story
Breast cancer is one of the most common cancers worldwide, including in the United Arab Emirates. According to the Global Cancer Observatory, it accounts for 21% of all cancers diagnosed.
This widespread impact resonated deeply within the cycling community, as many of the tour participants shared personal stories of family members and friends affected by the disease.
Among them is Bisan Abu Zainab, who is participating in the Pink Tour for the first time. She has spoken candidly about how breast cancer has affected her life personally, revealing that her mother, along with another family member, was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2012.
“For women, it is important to have an annual reminder of the importance of regular check-ups to prevent further complications. The Pink Tour highlights the importance of taking care of your health and staying informed, especially among the younger generation. “It has the potential to raise awareness about sexuality and the evolving treatment options available,” said the 34-year-old interior designer, who started cycling in the Los Habibis cycling community in 2023.
Martin Nikolenko, one of the youngest riders on the Tour, also has a family friend who is recovering from breast cancer.
“It’s always heartbreaking when someone close to you is diagnosed with cancer. Initiatives like the Pink Tour are essential to spreading awareness about early diagnosis and prevention,” she said in a statement to the sport four years ago. A 12-year-old cyclist who started cycling spoke about his dreams for the future. professional athlete.
Martin found last year’s ride extremely rewarding and is excited to be participating again with more cyclists. “Last year, we rode our bikes to Global Village for a parade. We are excited to visit new locations and grateful to be able to contribute to this important cause at our age.”
Martin Nikolenko (right) during last year’s Pink Tour
deal with misconceptions
Vanda Zebrakova, a Dubai resident who took part in the first Pink Tour and will be participating again this year, said seeing people wearing pink riding bikes around the city sparked candid conversations and helped address misconceptions about breast cancer. He said it helped him figure it out.
“As women, it is essential that we take part in initiatives like this to reduce the stigma surrounding this disease. Raising awareness will educate more people and highlight the importance of early diagnosis. ” said the 35-year-old sports educator.
Zebrakova said she is even more motivated to raise awareness because her grandmother is a breast cancer survivor. “Thanks to early intervention, she is now very healthy. A touching moment during the ride was when she was asked to pin a message to her jersey for someone she knows who has this disease. “I dedicated this ride to my grandmother, who showed incredible strength in her recovery,” she added.
Vanda Zebrakova (left) during last year’s Pink Tour
Pink Caravans will be set up in participant villages on the first day of the ride to educate the public about breast cancer, and mobile clinics will provide free testing to men and women. We will also share information about cancer prevention, self-exams, the importance of regular health checkups, and continued support for our communities.
Rashid Al Ameri, Head of Corporate Communications at FOCP, said the Pink Caravan has been breaking taboos and raising awareness about breast cancer over the past 12 years. Initiatives like the Pink Tour are important in spreading the message to new and diverse audiences, he said.
“Breast cancer is one of the few cancers that can be detected early without invasive treatment, and if detected early, patients have a 98 percent chance of recovery,” she said.
She added: “We hope that this initiative through a non-traditional platform will resonate with the UAE community and inspire other enthusiast groups to start conversations about breast cancer within their own circles.” added.
reporter@khaleejtimes.com
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