Dreamland Aqua Park hosts pan-UAE breast cancer initiative

The Pink Caravan's Turn the UAE Pink drive is working to uproot the deeply held misconceptions surrounding breast cancer, so as to allow women to be comfortable about discussing unusual physical developments to help diagnose the disease at an earlier stage.

The latest research has revealed that Emirati women tend to develop breast cancer 10 years younger than their European counterparts.

This October being International Breast Cancer Awareness Month, the Pink Caravan's Wellness Campaign is focussed on highlighting the importance of self-examination among women and men. The campaign is visiting a different corporate and public location every day for the entire month of October, and this time the Dreamland Aqua Park hosted the campaign to further the Pink Caravan's cause.

Visitors were given awareness sessions and were examined by medical practitioners in a comfortable and friendly environment.

Examinations were conducted in separate areas to accommodate both men and women in privacy.

Dr Sawsan Al Madhi, head of the Pink Caravan's Medical and Awareness Committee, said, "The campaign's motto is to be sure, and to be safe! Pink Caravan is covering all major locations across the country and we are glad to see the overwhelming response from the public. The fact that the initiative is a roaring success is all due to the collaborative efforts of all of the members of the team, as well as the many corporations supporting us across the country. It is crucial that women know about the vital importance of self-examinations, and consult a doctor at the first sign of any unusual development. By regular self check-ups every month, women can greatly reduce the risk of late stage presentation of breast cancer."

In order to raise money for the cause, everyone can buy a piece of the UAE to be placed on 'Pink' maps of the Emirates being installed at corporate locations across the country. Visitors and employees are encouraged to buy a pink magnetic ribbon at 50AED that they can then place on the map, helping to 'Turn the UAE Pink'. The money that is raised from the map goes towards the Pink Caravan's goal of purchasing a 3D mobile mammography unit. Dreamland further supported this effort by offering every person who purchased a magnetic ribbon and placed it on the board, a 50AED voucher to be redeemed against their meal at the food kiosk.