Taylor Scott International News
City to turn pink for cancer awareness Staff Reporter / 29 September 2013 It’s that time of the year when you begin to see people sporting pink ribbons. World over, as in the UAE, October is the month for breast cancer awareness. One of the leading cancer types — second only to lung cancer as the most common cause of cancer related deaths in women — regular self-examination, early detection, and diagnosis is critical to fighting the illness. Pink Caravan, a UAE breast cancer awareness initiative launched in 2011 by Friends of Cancer Patients, will commemorate their anniversary celebrations with a line-up of activities this October. Corporate houses are going all out to honour the month. Galleries Lafayette is hosting a pink Buffet in aid of Pink Caravan. The pink pony campaign by Ralph Lauren will raise funds through the sale of limited edition tee shirts priced between Dh325 to Dh750, with one quarter of the proceeds going to Pink Caravan. Secretary-General for the Friends of Cancer Patients charitable society and Head of the Pink Caravan’s Medical and Awareness committee, Dr Sawsan Al Madhi said: “It is fantastic that fashion firms and retailers have embraced the notion of a pink October by creating special items to raise funds for cancer education and treatment. Ralph Lauren’s Pink Pony Campaign, in particular, has significantly increased breast cancer awareness and contributed towards many successful research projects around the world.” The Friends of Cancer Patients (FoCP) charitable society has revealed that women with advanced breast cancer (ABC) feel left out of the breast cancer movement. The results of the largest every global study, ‘Count Us, Know Us, Join Us’, gives a voice to the 250,000 women living with advanced breast cancer around the world. Based on testimony from 1,273 women in 12 countries, the survey shows two-thirds of women with ABC feel that no one understands what they are going through. Advocates for the cause, the Burj Al Arab will — much like in past years — each day in October between 7.30pm and 8.30pm show its support for the breast cancer awareness campaign by lighting its sail pink and adorning it with the symbolic pink ribbon. All afternoon teas at the hotel will include pink pastries including Ispahan macaroons filled with rose cream, pink choux, pink apple mousse cake, pink New York cheesecake, strawberry and pistachio tarts and pink-glazed traditional French mille feuilles. An estimated 1,00,000 pink roses will be flown in to further raise awareness. The hotel’s team of 12 florists have developed pink floral displays. All guests chauffeured to the hotel will be presented with pink roses and all women who dine at any of the hotel’s restaurants will be presented a single pink rose. For the staff at the hotel, Burj Al Arab will work with Pink Caravan to provide free voluntary medical examinations for the 1,600 staff as well as guidance on self-examination. All colleagues will also wear the iconic pink ribbons throughout the month. – news@khaleejtimes.com Taylor Scott International
Taylor Scott International, Taylor Scott
