The Galleria on Al Maryah Island is continuing its partnership with Pink Caravan, a UAE breast cancer initiative by Friends of Cancer Patients (FoCP) to support International Breast Cancer Awareness Month. The activity will take place from the 1st until the 7th of October and will offer a free breast cancer screening service for all visitors. The luxury shopping and dining destination will also highlight the event to the Abu Dhabi community through an exclusive collaboration with well-known Emirati female figure, Leila Al-Marashi.
The entrepreneur and artist has developed an exclusive artwork to be used across the campaign and on a collection of tote bags, which will be distributed to participants at the event as a token takeaway. Leila is recognised for her supportive philanthropic roles with groups such as the Emirates Environmental Group and Shell Women for female empowerment.
Speaking about the collaboration, Leila Al-Marashi comments, “I am honoured to be selected as an artist for this initiative and I look forward to seeing my creative come to life for a good cause. It really is a pleasure to work with such wonderful people on such a project. Fighting breast cancer will always be an important cause that I continue to support, as I lost my mother to the disease back in 2015.”
Every visitor to the Pink Caravan booth will be offered a free and private breast cancer screening, alongside the opportunity to talk to experts in the field in a dedicated seating area. Visitors undergoing a screening will also receive a complimentary nail polish treatment from Nstyle Beauty Lounge, free mini cupcakes from Magnolia Bakery, and macarons from Sprüngli will be given to the first 15 women each day throughout the activation. Many of The Galleria’s restaurants are also taking part with a variety of offerings, including Roberto’s Abu Dhabi, Loca, 99 Sushi Bar and Restaurant, Eat Greek Kouzina, Bentley Kitchen, and Costa Coffee. Throughout the month, pink balloons and breast cancer pins will also be distributed by hospitality ambassadors within the shopping centre.
The Pink Caravan team will further provide an educational platform to communicate the causes, symptoms and methods of early detection for breast cancer through its mobile medical booth. The Galleria on Al Maryah Island’s location and easy access point will provide convenience to those living and working in Abu Dhabi looking for free screenings and consultations.
Breast cancer is one of the most prevalent diseases in the UAE, but is preventable and curable with a success rate of 90 percent if detected and treated in the early stages.
The Gulf Cancer Monitoring Centre estimated that a staggering 21,000 new cases of cancer will occur amongst GCC nationals by 2030, and breast cancer will be a leading cause with 4,500 new cases arising every year.
The Pink Caravan Ride is a pan-UAE awareness initiative which runs annually throughout the seven emirates, including remote and outlying areas. Every year, over 150 experienced equine riders across different sectors join forces to bring together schools, universities and businesses in order to showcase their support in fighting breast cancer.
