Successful pink caravan receives international applause in UAE

Throwing the spotlight on Breast Cancer Awareness Month this October, Pink Caravan, the breast cancer awareness campaign of Friends of Cancer Patients (FoCP), made its mark on the international arena when, as part of the collective global efforts to fight cancer and reduce its impact on communities around the world, FoCP participated in the World Cancer Congress (WCC) 2012, at the Palais des congres Montreal, Canada. Held under the theme ?Connecting for Global Impact', the WCC was organised by the Union for International Cancer Control (UICC) in collaboration with the Canadian Cancer Association, McGill University and the University of Montreal. Ameera BinKaram, president and founding member of the Friends of Cancer Patients, commented saying, "The World Cancer Congress is one of the most significant platforms for bringing together organisations and individuals that are united in their purpose to fight cancer and participation in the congress is of critical importance. Our highly successful participation in the WCC has opened numerous doors for future international collaboration between the FoCP and renowned international, all of which was made possible due to the wise leadership of the Emirates and the support we have received from all community sectors of the UAE." On the first day of the congress, Ameera BinKaram, was invited to vote for new members of UICC's board of directors, a prestigious event that takes place every two years. The second day of the four-day congress opened with the World Cancer Leaders' Summit and concluded with the opening ceremony of the Global Village. The third day of the congress witnessed a historical moment for Friends of Cancer Patients when Ameera BinKaram gave a presentation on the tremendous success of FoCP's Pink Caravan campaign, an initiative launched to create countrywide breast cancer awareness and encourage regular check-ups, along with a short film on the campaign's major achievements. Speaking before a large global audience comprised of leading specialists and experts from international cancer control organisations, representatives from world-renown health institutions including the World Health Organisation, prominent Canadian figures, and a large number of doctors, psychologists and representatives of hospitals and pharmaceutical companies of international repute, she highlighted the importance of the campaign in fighting breast cancer in the UAE. The presentation struck a chord and received enthusiastic applause from the audience -BinKaram being the only presenter to receive this honour. Following the session, she was approached by many representatives interested in launching the campaign in their respective countries. WCC 2012, which attracted more than 3,000 experts and specialists in cancer control from 120 countries across the world, represented a unique platform for the international cancer control community to meet, discuss, share and learn in order to find solutions to the increasingly cancer affected communities around the globe. The WCC Programme included the Global Cancer Summit, the opening ceremony of the World Cancer Congress, interactive meetings, forums, workshops and sessions where speaker's gave short presentations, as well as abstracts on a wide range of cancer related topics. In addition to these, the new UICC Global Village was also launched. An international initiative, the village provided a central and dynamic environment, where people could interact and exchange ideas and create partnerships with the aim of putting cancer on the global health agenda, mobilizing global efforts and adopting effective plans to fight cancer and reduce its impact on both the short and long run. Held every two years, the Congress is the perfect event to highlight the need for continued support and momentum in translating the benefits of knowledge gained through research and practice to those living with and affected by cancer. FOCP aims to host this international event on home soil in the future.