Registration now open for Pink Caravan Ride 2016

SHARJAH, 11th January, 2016 (WAM) -- Equestrians who wish to join the sixth annual Pink Caravan Ride can register now, the Higher Organising Committee announced yesterday. The Pink Caravan, a pan-UAE breast cancer awareness initiative by the Friends of Cancer Patients, FoCP, holds an annual 10-day horseback trek through all seven emirates to raise awareness about the importance of early detection of the illness, offering free screenings to anyone who requires one and raising funds for its work in supporting cancer patients. Registration is open from January 9th - 22nd for the Pink Caravan Ride 2016 which will kick off from Sharjah early on the morning of Monday, March 7th. The committee will select approximately 150 riders who meet participation conditions and criteria, which is largely based on their competency on horseback to ensure safety and security. Other requirements are that they be over 16 years old and be enthusiastic horse-riders. Potential candidates can register online via the website. Participation is open to both male and female riders of all nationalities. AmeeraBinKaram, Founding Member of FoCP, President of the Board of Trustees and Chairperson of the Higher Steering Committee of the Pink Caravan Ride, said, "After the completion of all the preparations for the sixth Pink Caravan Ride, including its organisational and administrative structures, we are pleased to announce that registration is now open to riders and volunteers wishing to participate in this good cause. The Arab world is known for its love of horses and this awareness campaign is able to align itself with the high profile given to equestrian pursuits in the UAE as part of country's rich heritage and traditional culture." BinKaram added that chivalry is deeply rooted in Arab heritage, and has always been associated with altruism and magnanimity, and that practicing equestrianism helps spread the values of authenticity, solidarity and originality. "Therefore we are always keen to give more room to riders on the Pink Caravan's calendar of events, due to the significant role played by them over the past years. Since we held the first ride we have had participation from approximately 550 riders. They have been instrumental in increasing the interaction of community members with awareness campaigns, and encouraging them to undergo free examinations offered by the clinic for all segments of society,’ she added. BinKaram said that riders will be subjected to technical and proficiency tests to ensure their health and physical capacity to participate in the ride, which will entail covering approximately 30 km every day. The proficiency tests will be held at the Furusiyya Equestrian Club in Dubai on Friday, January 15th, and Saturday, January 23rd, under the supervision of a number of experts and professionals in the field. The chosen riders will journey through all seven Emirates, starting from Sharjah on March 7th, and wrapping up in Abu Dhabi on March 17th with approximately 15 riders taking part daily and riding an average of 7 hours per day. During the 10-day ride, experienced medical teams will be deployed to 3 different clinics in the same emirate as the horse ride to offer free breast cancer examinations to all community members as well as spread public awareness by distributing educational brochures and holding lectures and workshops on how to perform self-examination for breast cancer, and how to help cancer patients. – Emirates News Agency, WAM - http://www.wam.ae/en/news/emirates/1395290109352.html