Around 500 bikers took to the road yesterday to raise awareness of breast cancer.
The men and women – all dressed in pink – started their journey from Diyar Al Muharraq and roared all the way to the Bahrain International Circuit as part of Think Pink: Bahrain Breast Cancer Society’s annual campaign.
In the closing event for this year’s campaign, the riders’ parade began early in the morning and culminated in a spin around the BIC’s 5,412m track.
“This is the 13th edition of the Think Pink Ride,” society founder, president and chairperson Dr Julie Sprakel told the GDN. “This year’s ride is our largest ever!”
She added that ‘just under 500 bikers’ joined the cross-country parade, with 400 partaking in the ride around the BIC track.
Meanwhile, Bahrain Desi Riders Group member Yasir Hanif Butt expressed his joy at having taken part in the Think Pink Ride for the fourth time.
“Our group was set up in 2006 by my cousin Abid Butt,” Mr Butt told the GDN.
“About 50 members of the Desi Riders Group joined the parade this year.
“Motorbiking is all about passion and freedom, and best of all, it is a stress-buster,” he said, adding that he was glad to do the thing he loved while contributing to a good cause and enjoying the camaraderie with fellow riders.
The 46-year-old logistics manager won second place in the event’s best-dressed contest. He was joined by his daughter Samar.
A raffle and a best-decorated bike contest were also held.
A total of 44 biking groups joined hands for the Think Pink ride – 28 from Bahrain and 16 from Saudi Arabia.
Breast cancer is the leading type of cancer amongst women in Bahrain, with 244 new cases identified last year, which make up 37.9 per cent of cancer diagnoses in the kingdom, according to data provided by the Bahrain Cancer Society.
Breast cancer is also the world’s most fatal type of cancer, with a mortality rate of 13.6 per 100,000.
In Bahrain, it is the second most dangerous form of cancer, with 66 deaths last year. It can occur in both men and women, but it’s far more common in women.
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