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Ladies decked in pink will create a buzz around the town this Friday as they cycle to raise awareness about breast cancer and the importance of getting checked.
The Cycling Bees, founded by competitive cycler and medallist Sarah Alsammak, has teamed up with Alosra Supermarket to launch a ladies only Pink Ride to encourage women to stay active, as well as empower them with knowledge about the disease.
“This will be our third Pink Ride aimed at raising awareness about the disease that has caused a lot of heartache for many people in Bahrain and around the world,” said the cycling coach.
“We had more than 50 riders ranging in age and nationality in the past, cycling for the cause, and it is only growing from there.
“This event also encourages women to feel more confident and comfortable to cycle, especially as it’s with a group of like-minded people.
“Cycling Bees is the only female cycling group in Bahrain led by women for the female community in Bahrain. Our aim is to spread joy and empower women.”
Seventy women have already registered for the 10km ride which will start from the supermarket located in Saar’s Najibi Centre and end at Salman City, where they will gather for a group photo on the beach before heading back to the supermarket for complimentary snacks and refreshments.
A café will also be available to hand out hot beverages and flowers will be presented to the participants.
PharmaCare will provide complimentary blood sugar and blood pressure tests to all riders and gynaecologist Dr Amaal Kareem will answer questions and educate women on self-examination.
“Women are still scared to discuss breast cancer, to go to hospitals or attempt to check themselves,” added Sarah who has cycled in four continents and won 16 medals in the past. She was also the first Arab woman to take part in the Maratona Des Dolomites in the Italian Alps.
According to 2020 figures by the International Agency for Research on Cancer, Globocan, a subsidiary of the World Health Organisation, breast cancer is the most prevalent cancer on the island, accounting for 20.1 per cent of the total cases. It accounts for 37.9pc of cancers among women in the country, followed by colorectal, ovary, corpus-uteri and lung.
Breast cancer traces to family history, age, hormonal disorders, use of birth control pills, menopause, and weight gain.
“Plus, getting active and living a healthier lifestyle can help reduce risk and cycling is a great form of exercise that offers a range of health benefits,” added Sarah.
At the beginning of October, Bahrain’s health minister Faeqa Al Saleh explained that a healthy diet and physical activity would help reduce the risk, taking into account the genetic factor, affirming the importance of early detection and self-examination for the target age group.
Meanwhile, women can snap up healthy products from the supermarket, throughout October, which have been recommended by Dr Julie Sprakle, Think Pink Bahrain’s founder and chairperson. Also, the store is donating all profits from its eco bag sales to Think Pink: Bahrain Breast Cancer Society.
The Cycling Bees is one of the many groups that have been promoting breast cancer awareness across the kingdom. They started when Sarah was training for Ironman after having her daughter Zuhoor. Sarah and Bees co-captain Dana Zubari took photos of their rides and ladies started contacting them to join.
The rest is history.
The Bahrain Ladies Motorcycle members will also be joining the event.
The ride will start at 6am and women can register for the feel-good event by messaging @cyclingbees on Instagram.
