Dubai walks the talk for breast cancer awareness

Anupam Varma (Deputy Web Editor) / 31 October 2014

Despite it being a Friday morning, residents came out in large numbers to support the cause. 

Participants at the Pink Walkathon. Photos by Anupam Varma/Khaleej Times
(Click here for photo gallery)

Dubai: It was a bright and sunny Friday morning that saw thousands of Dubai residents take part in the annual BurJuman Pink Walkathon 2014 at Zabeel Park. The crowd had started to descend from as early as 6.30 am, and it was a sea of pink as far as the eye could see by the time the walk began – around 8.15 am.
The walk -- an initiative to create awareness about breast cancer and also honour cancer survivors -- saw people from of all ages, nationalities and professions take part.

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“This is the first time I am participating in the walk. It’s a great initiative and I am happy I can support this cause,” said Samreen, a 17-year-old schoolgirl accompanied by her friends, all wearing pink caps in support of the cause.
“One of my aunts is a breast cancer survivor. This walk is for her.”
Like Samreen, hundreds of friends and family members of people affected by breast cancer showed up for the walkathon. While some had happy stories to tell, there were others who found it difficult to hide their tears.
“I am walking for my mother. She is a breast cancer survivor. She completed her treatment five years back,” said Jesse, a fitness expert from the Philippines.
“I have been coming here for the past five years and will keep coming,” she added, turning around to show us a sign on her T-shirt that read, “This walk is for my mom”.

Alka and her cousins – all teenagers -- were walking for one of their aunts.
“My aunt had breast cancer. Thankfully, it’s all over now. The treatment lasted for a really long time. I hope it doesn’t come back,” she said, a sigh of relief writ large on her face.

For Vinod Vashisht, a retired marketing manager from India, this was the first walk. He had lost his brother-in-law last year to cancer.
“He would chew tobacco endlessly, sometimes eight to 10 packets daily. We tried our best to get him off the habit, but it was of no use. I lost him last year. He left my sister and nephew behind,” Vinod said, trying to hold back tears.
“This walk is not just for breast cancer. It’s about all types of cancer. In fact, it’s about all kinds of illnesses that afflict us. It is very important to create awareness.”
Patricia, a mother of three from the United Kingdom, had a similar story to tell.
“My sister had been undergoing treatment for three years. There was improvement initially, but her condition deteriorated later on. There was nothing I could do,” she said as her youngest daughter held her even tighter.
“I am flying back at the end of the year to start my own awareness fund. I wish more and more people come forward to create awareness and support the expensive treatment.”

The walk may have been for a serious cause, but adding fun to it were radio jockeys who kept belting out popular numbers, children with rollerblades who waited eagerly at the starting line, a clown busy juggling balls, a confetti machine, a small stage with dancers, some elaborate headgear, pocket-sized dogs wearing pink bows and ribbons, some drummers who kept the mood upbeat during the walk -- everything being captured by a drone hovering overhead -- not to forget the thousands of pink ribbons and pink balloons each participant had, gently reminding us about the essence of this great walk.