Join PCR 2021 to support its 42-days breast health checkup goals

Following the recent announcement of the 11th edition of the nationwide ride, which has set itself a goal of offering free health checkups and breast examination to men and women in all seven emirates for 42 consecutive days, from February 3 – March 30, the need for the participation of socially-driven volunteers and their contributions to the campaign’s medical route ensuring this ambitious goal is met, becomes all the more crucial.

The Higher Steering Committee of PCR, which is an annual breast cancer awareness initiative of UAE-based non-profit Friends of Cancer Patients (FOCP), has therefore, made a call to all UAE-based doctors, nurses, medical staff, government and private entities as well as hospitals to sign up and push PCR’s agenda of encouraging early detection and prevention of breast cancer through the free clinical breast examination this campaign offers. 

Members of the medical fraternity including health authorities, medical centres, doctors, nurses and technicians wishing to volunteer for 11th edition can contact the medical committee on the following email: [email protected], before January 28. Across all PCR 2021 clinics in the seven emirates, volunteering medical teams will be delivering health checkups, screenings and consultations under strict, globally recognised Covid-19 safety and precautionary guidelines.   

Dr.Sawsan Al Madhi: The UAE’s community spirit is the lifeblood of this campaign 
“The UAE’s community spirit – seen in doctors and nurses going beyond call of duty to offer their medical expertise to the ride; in hospitals and institutions from both public and private sectors welcoming PCR’s clinics into their premises; in our longstanding partners and donors ensuring the ride’s goal of making the UAE more breast cancer aware is achieved – is the lifeblood of this campaign. PCR has been able to deliver 75,000 free screenings in its 10-year history because long-time volunteers and partners have renewed their commitment to our goal of saving lives and creating a healthier UAE community, year after year, and more socially-minded individuals and institutions have attached themselves to our cause along the way, expanding the scope and outreach of the ride,” noted Dr Sawsan Al Madhi, Head of PCR Medical and Awareness Committee. 

She further added: “If there is anything that the past year has taught us is that safeguarding the health and well-being of communities through proper health education and access to quality medical services are key to continued socioeconomic progress. Thus, I strongly call on the nation’s medical heroes, hospitals, public venues, our partners and charitable donors – individuals and organisations from both private and public sectors – in all seven emirates to lead PCR 2021’s medical route and help us further the vision of Her Highness Sheikha Jawaher bint Mohammed Al Qasimi, wife of His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah and Founder and Royal Patron of FOCP, to create a healthier, happier and more breast-cancer aware UAE.” 

For the first time in its history, PCR will see the participation of at least one equestrian club from each emirate this February, creating a larger number of outposts where residents can undergo free health screenings, participate in self-examination training sessions, and other PCR activities. “We are dedicated to ensure an extremely safe environment in all PC clinics, in strict adherence to UAE’s Covid-19 precautionary measures. This considerably increases the campaign’s requirement for both medical volunteers and financial support from donors,” concluded Al Madhi. 

Since 2011, PCR has been annually trekking across the seven emirates to raise awareness of the importance of early detection of breast cancer, offering free medical consultation and screening to UAE residents. To date, 850 equestrians from different nationalities have travelled more than 1,950 kms, while PCR clinics recorded 80 cancer cases from over 75,000 free screenings to both men and women.