Breast Cancer Awareness In The Gulf: Celebrating A Month In Pink

Every month, Nabta teams up with a handful of local partners to raise awareness about a particular aspect of women’s health.

This October, in honour of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, we turned our attentions to raising awareness about breast cancer – the symptoms, the support networks, and what you can do to beat it.

Over the month, we posted dozens of hints and tips, sharing our partners’ events and extraordinary accomplishemtns. And now, as a way of celebrating all that was achieved during Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and to ensure the campaign lives on, we have put together a selection of organistions in the GCC by country that offer the best advice, services and support to those looking to #BeatCancer

United Arab Emirates

#1 – Pink Caravan

Pink Caravan is spearheading the breast cancer awareness campaign in the UAE. As well as holding their own screening and awareness events in Abu Dhabi and Dubai last month, Pink Caravan has partnered with a number of local organisations to raise awareness about breast cancer on an on-going basis, while giving women access to a variety of freebies, discounts and relevant information. For example, Chantelle Paris donated 5 AED during October for every item purchased to Pink Caravan.

To donate to Pink Caravan, to find out how you can join the Pink Caravan Ride in 2018, or to get an idea of exactly how much they did last month, visit http://www.pinkcaravan.ae/pinkoctober.php#page=Octobercalendar

#2 – Zulekha Hospital

Zulekha Hospital launched the sixth edition of the breast cancer awareness campaign #PinkItNow, at Palazzo Versace, Dubai at the start of October. As part of an on-going effort to get women screened regularly after they turn 40, Zulekha Hospital is offering free mammograms with a consultation until 31st December 2017.

Zulekha Hospital also recently launched its own support group app, Pink Knights, which it hopes will empower all women by bringing them together to share their doubts, fears and experiences.

The Pink Knights app is available to download on the App and Play Stores, or visit Zulekha Hospital’s Facebook page for more information: https://www.facebook.com/zulekhahospitals/

#3 – HealthBay Polyclinic

As well as offering 50% off mammograms last month, HealthBay Polyclinic recently launched the Breast Clinic initiative, which aims to have patients experience a one-stop screening and consultation facility. HealthBay is also working with local organisations such as Monroe’s Nursery to raise awareness among parents of the importance of self-checks to facilitate early detection.

To find out more or to book an appointment call 04 800 4272, or visit http://healthbayclinic.com/medical_services/one-stop-breast-clinic/

#4 – Mediclinic

Last month, Mediclinic’s experienced doctors offered free breast health clinical examinations at all of their hospitals and clinics across Dubai. The consultation included a clinical examination, a full evaluation of family and medical history, and discussion of any concerns. In cases where the doctor advised further mammogram screening, patients were able to take advantage of a 50% discount on the procedure.

For more information or to enquire about getting an appointment booked in advance for next October, visit http://www.mediclinic.ae/NewsDetails.aspx?newsid=12466

#5 – Pink Ladies Games

The Pink Ladies Games was a half-day, feel-good program of events for women of all cultures and ages. The main objectives of the Games were: to raise funds for Pink Caravan, to encourage women to adopt an active lifestyle, and to raise awareness about breast cancer. The event saw teams of three to five women battle it out in a series of 15 minute challenges, including climbing, archery tag and “the human catapult”.

The Games took place on Friday 27th October at the Sheraton Jumeirah Beach Resort, and were featured as part of the Dubai Fitness Challenge.

For more information, visit https://pinkladiesgames.com/Main

Kuwait

#1 – NBK (National Bank of Kuwait)

On 1st October, NBK launched its annual “Be Aware” campaign to raise awareness about different aspects of women’s health, with a particular focus on breast cancer. The objective of the “Be Aware” campaign is to educate Kuwaiti society on the importance of early detection and regular check-ups.

For more information about the “Be Aware” campaign, visit https://www.pressreader.com/kuwait/kuwait-times/20171002/281767039425247

#2 – Al Hamra Real Estate Company

In collaboration with the Kuwait Cancer Control Center, Al Hamra held a series of events this year (4th – 12th October) with the slogan “My Dear, be aware” at the Al Hamra Luxury center to raise awareness about breast cancer and the importance of being screened once a year after you turn 40.

For more information about the services offered by the Kuwait Cancer Control Center, or to find out about World Cancer Day on 4th February 2018, visit http://www.kuwaitcancercenter.com/

#3 – Cadillac

As part of its ongoing efforts to shed light on the social issues affecting the people of Kuwait, Yusuf A. Alghanim and Sons Automotive, the exclusive distributor of Cadillac vehicles in Kuwait, was the Gold Sponsor of this year’s Breast Cancer Awareness seminar held at the Jumeirah Messilah Beach Hotel & Spa, on Saturday 22nd October.

The event was part of the American Women’s League’s (AWL) breast cancer awareness campaign, which was titled under the slogan, “Fight Like a Girl…Round 2.” More than 500 guests attended the event, including representatives from Cadillac Alghanim, General Motors, AWL and the media.

For more information about the Breast Cancer Awareness seminar, visit http://www.cadillacalghanim.com/news/cadillac-alghanim-supports-breast-cancer-awareness-month/

Saudi Arabia

#1 – Zahra Breast Cancer Association

On Friday 13th October, a ceremony was held to launch the national campaign for breast cancer awareness titled “Minutes Can Be Transformed Into Years,” organized by Zahra Breast Cancer Association, in cooperation with many governmental and non-governmental bodies. The ceremony was held at the Saudi Electricity Co. (SEC) Club.

Princess Haifa Al-Faisal, chairwoman of the Zahra association, signed four agreements, in the presence of Prince Faisal, between the association and King Abdullah Hospital, the Saudi National Committee for Mental Health Promotion, the Saudi Physical Therapy Association, and the Saleh Al-Alyan Organization to run a series of activities and awareness programs with the objective of reducing the cancer incidence rate in the Kingdom.

You can read the original Arab News article here: http://www.arabnews.com/node/1177381/saudi-arabia

#2 – Arab News

In support of Breast Cancer Awareness Month and to acknowledge the 25th anniversary of the pink ribbon, Arab News pinned a pink ribbon to its masthead.

In addition to this, the Arab News website and printed newspaper are featuring a series of special reports focused on raising awareness about breast cancer and steps the region can take to combat the disease.

You can access the full list of articles here: http://www.arabnews.com/search/site/breast%20cancer

#3 – Novartis

To mark the month of October as breast cancer awareness month, and to highlight the latest advancements in breast cancer treatments and patient quality-of-life protocols, Novartis brought together Saudi Arabia’s leading oncologists for a day of talks and seminars at the Sofitel Jeddah.

You can find the original coverage on the Arab News website: http://www.arabnews.com/node/1176566/saudi-arabia

Oman

#1 – Oman Cancer Association

The Oman Cancer Association (OCA) campaigns actively on an on-going basis to raise awareness about breast cancer. The OCA is the brainchild of Ms. Yuthar Al Rawahi, a four times cancer survivor, and the Founder and Honorary Life President of the Association. After her third cancer, she promised herself that if she survived she would dedicate her life to spread awareness and empower cancer survivors and their families.

The Oman Cancer Association is a nongovernmental, nonprofit umbrella organization registered under the Ministry of Social Development in 2004. Facilities include a Mobile Mammography Unit (MMU) that travels around the country offering free mammograms to women over 40 years of age.

To learn more, visit http://www.oca.om/

#2 – Burjeel Medical Centre

Throughout October, as well as running an active social media campaign to promote breast cancer awareness, Burjeel Medical Centre is offering 50% off mammograms.

For key breast cancer statistics, or to book an appointment, visit Burjeel Medical Centre’s Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/Burjeelmedicalcentreoman/?hc_ref=ARQUBsCpmGZrnaepriNI416hmWXntgUlAEInx943tem162FxWDq-334fT96fN3x-tlo&fref=nf

#3 – City Centre Malls

In partnership with the Oman Cancer Association (OCA), City Centre Muscat and City Centre Qurum are hosting a comprehensive range of events this month to raise awareness about breast cancer, including free breast health consultations from the 15th to the 21st October, and a Walkathon on 31st October.

For the full list of events, visit City Centre Muscat’s Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/CityCentreMuscat/

Bahrain

#1 – Think Pink Bahrain

Think Pink Bahrain is a non-profit organsiation founded by Ms. Julie Sprakel in 2004. The objective of Think Pink Bahrain is to empower people at grass root levels through collaboration with local affiliates to promote the importance of education, screening programs, and community based outreach projects.

For the latest news regarding Breast Cancer Awareness Month, including coverage of events in Bahrain such as #Pedal4Pink, check out the website: http://www.thinkpinkbahrain.com/

Qatar

#1 – Screen For Life
Screen For Life, Qatar’s National Breast and Bowel Cancer Screening programme, recently partnered with major shopping malls to host an in-mall activation programme in support of its month-long October Means Breast Cancer Screening campaign to mark the Breast Cancer Awareness Month and encourage as many women as possible to undergo a complimentary breast cancer screening.

Female Qatari residents over the age of 45 years can now register for free breast cancer screening through Primary Health Care Corporation (PHCC)’s Screen for Life initiative.

For more information about what is being done to raise awareness about breast cancer in Qatar this month, we recommend checking out Marhaba Qatar’s list of featured events: https://www.marhaba.qa/tag/breast-cancer-awareness-month/

Yemen

#1 – Pink Ribbon Yemen

Pink Ribbon Yemen strives to significantly reduce breast cancer mortality in the country by creating widespread awareness of early detection and increased access to treatment. The program’s mission is to create widespread awareness about breast cancer and to become a Center of Excellence for Breast Care Information in Yemen.

Additional information about the campaign can be found on the website of the National Foundation for Development and Humanitarian Response: http://www.nfdhr.org/en/projects.php?id=32

What’s Next?

If you think we have missed your organisation off the list and you would like to be featured, feel free to email us at [email protected] and we’ll get you added pronto. Otherwise, stay tuned for Nabta Health’s live stream panel discussion on Sunday 19th November on the subject, “What’s Next For Breast Cancer Awareness In The Gulf?”

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