BurJuman's Safe and Sound campaign raised Dh227,000 last year to combat breast cancer and organisers have announced they aim to double that amount this year.
The shopping centre has tied up with the UAE Red Crescent Society and the Dubai Health Authority, which together with other members on the committee, will oversee the raising and management of funds gathered during the campaign, which enters its 10th year in October.
The steering committee for this year's Safe and Sound campaign also includes several large private companies and community members, said breast cancer survivor Susan Tabler.
Next month, the campaign will kick off a number of events to raise the funds. Walkers will seek sponsors for a 3.6-kilometre breast cancer walkathon, which will be held on October 26 and is expected to gather more than 5,000 residents.
Also on the agenda is a breast cancer survivor fashion show, a Harley Davidson parade between Dubai and Fujairah, a charity bazaar and other school and university events.
Throughout the month, BurJuman shoppers can also show their support by wearing Dh5 pink ribbons.
Dubai residents show up in force to support the cause as it hits close to home.
In Rashid Hospital alone, some 958 cancer cases were recorded so far this year, said Mohammed Abdullah Al Zaroni, manager of the Dubai branch of the UAE Red Crescent Society. A total of 9,621 cases were recorded there since the beginning of 2001, he said.
Out of the total number of cancers being treated in the UAE, 843 were classified as breast cancer.
The condition affected 834 woman and nine men.
A recent study done by the Abu Dhabi Health Authority in the period between July 8 and August 7 showed that cancer is only second to cardiovascular diseases when it comes to the number of lives it claims in the UAE.
Cardiovascular diseases were responsible for 26 per cent of deaths while cancer, was the reason behind 18 per cent of all deaths.
By Vesela Todorova
© Emirates Today 2007
