Thousands turn out to support breast cancer awareness at Pink Polo event

There were blue skies and numerous free activities on a day when a variety of people showed their support for raising funds and awareness.

Pink Polo, in its fourth year, aims to raise funds and awareness of breast cancer in the UAE. Lee Hoagland / The National

ABU DHABI // There were many shades of pink, from rose to salmon, adorning visitors to Ghantoot Racing and Polo Club on Friday, but they were united in purpose.

Thousands had arrived for the fourth annual Pink Polo match, to raise funds for research into breast cancer and awareness of a disease that is the UAE’S second-biggest killer of women.

The polo match and attractions including camel and pony rides, face painting, a roaming magician and a military skydiving show, gave the event its usual family feel.

For some, including English expatriate Judith Welling, it was also a time to remember friends and loved ones who had been stricken with the disease.

“Last year I lost a close friend to breast cancer and she died leaving one-year-old twins,” said Ms Welling, 42, in a pale pink, bobbed wig and purple dress.

It was her third time at Pink Polo, of which Abu Dhabi Media, publisher of The National, is a partner.

“I think it is so important that there is publicity raising awareness of breast cancer because early detection is just so important,” Ms Welling said.

Karen D’Souza, an English teacher wearing a pink dress, attended the event with her husband and her children Lucie, 9, and Sadie, 2. It was her first time at Pink Polo after a friend had recommended it.

“I think there is not enough awareness, maybe because of a cultural sensitivity about checking body parts,” Ms D’Souza said. “But publicity and awareness are so important.”

Other attractions at the free event included a hot-air balloon, henna tattoos, football tricks, a barbecue and a live DJ.

A Pink Clinic was set up for visitors to meet medical experts and breast-cancer survivors, learn self-examination techniques and have free screenings at a mobile mammography unit.

Dr Efim Afreen sat with women to explain how to feel for changes in their breasts.

Dr Afreen, 37, from Pakistan, said it was crucial that women knew how to carry out self-examinations.

“A lot of women are coming asking how they can perform a breast examination on their own,” she said. “Self-examinations are one of the vital steps of catching cancer early on.”

Manar Abrahim was among the mammogram screening staff at Tawam Hospital advising visitors about the importance of regular checks.

“It is very important that women, especially ladies over the age of 40, have regular mammograms,” the Jordanian said.

“Catching it early means we can act quickly. Treatment gets harder the more advanced the cancer.”

The blow of the whistle at 5.10pm signalled the start of the match, with a team of professional players sponsored by Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank (ADCB) taking on another supported by St Regis Hotels.

Players decked out in pink shirts took to the pitch, much to the approval of the cheering crowds.

Abdullah bin Dismel, a polo player for the St Regis team, has played in the event for its four years and said it had always been a close match.

For a tense hour all eyes were on the thundering hooves, mallets and a little white ball.

Within minutes, the ADCB team scored the first goal and by the end of the first chukka, Sheikh Falah bin Zayed, the chairman of club returning to the field after a 10-year absence, scored a second goal for ADCB to rousing cheers.

He scored another goal for his team in the third chukka to make the score 4-1 in favour of ADCB.

Despite a St Regis fightback, ADCB clinched the game with a 4-3 win.

The event concluded with “Best pink dressed” awards for adults, children and pets.

November is Breast Cancer Awareness month.

In Abu Dhabi, the disease accounts for 22 per cent of all cancers, and 41 per cent among women.

Last year, 380 breast-cancer cases were reported, including four in men. Of those, 54 people died.

All donations from the event, along with 20 per cent of the proceeds from sales, will go to Pink Caravan, which is part of the Friends of Cancer Patients UAE campaign.