CommunityHealthMental HealthBreast Cancer Awareness Month is still here

With around one in eight women being diagnosed with breast cancer, now is the perfect time to check in on your own health while also helping others. Here are our top picks for UAE events that are helping generate breast cancer awareness and actually do good. We promise, there are no ‘pink washing’ brand-exercise events in sight.  

Ignite Pink is Punk

October 11th – From Dh73.50

Doing sport in a beautiful setting is always enjoyable, but the real magic of this event is that a whopping 100 percent of the proceeds go straight to charity. 

Say hello to Ignite’s Pink is Punk stand-up paddle session on October 11. Following up on the popular run earlier this month, this is the first SUP effort supporting the UAE-founded charity organization, Brest Friends, in partnership with the Al Jalila Foundation – and both aim to break Pink is Punk’s previous record of raising Dh87,000 in support of breast cancer. 

Anyone aged to and above is invited to paddle between 1-4km at Riva Beach. 

And if you can’t decide whether to go, consider this: since 2008, Ignite Pink is Punk has raised more than Dh350,000 for breast cancer charities. 

Costa Coffee’s pink treats and mammograms

All month, plus October 20 to 26

There are plenty of rubbish ‘pink washed’ campaigns, but this is one that a brand has got right. Costa Coffee has rolled out special pink macaroons and lattes with absolutely all proceeds going directly to the Al Jalila Foundation. 

Costa is also offering free private breast examinations in partnership with Kings College Hospital Dubai at its Al Wasl branch. Visit from 9am to 11am and 2pm to 4pm between October 20 – 26. Mammograms are also available for Dh500 at Kings College London Dubai’s Dubai Hills Hospital all month. 

Pink Hub – Sharjah’s Ladies Club

October 10 to 12 – Free

In addition to self-checkups, regular mammograms help women catch cancer early. Sharjah’s Ladies Club is offering free mammograms during its weekend-long Pink Hub event. There will also be plenty of fitness classes, workshops, health tips, product samples and more. 

Bodytree Studio Pinktober classes – Abu Dhabi

All month long

Bodytree has a full roster of classes as part of its Pinktober program. Wear pink and show up and your payment will be donated to Rahma Cancer Patient Care. There’s pilates, yoga and the studio’s own brand of BTB on offer.

Afternoon tea at The Ritz-Carlton, Dubai 

All month – Dh195 per person 

A portion of the ticket price of this decadent afternoon tea goes to the Al Jalila Foundation and Brest Friends. The tea itself includes scones, pastries, clotted cream and everything you’d expect.

If the tea isn’t enough for you, The Ritz-Carlton Spa has a special #Pinktober Rose Awakening Ritual. This 75-minute treatment includes a foot bath, massage, exfoliation and facial, and a portion of the Dh620 ticket price goes to the same foundation. 

Women’s Health Awareness at Studio One, Studio City

October 23, 10am to 12pm – Free

Free health screenings are available at this health-focused day, which is done in partnership with the Al Jalila Foundation. Experts will be available to answer health-related questions. There will also be a panel talk with the first female Emirati doctor specializing in women’s health.

Pink it Now – Pink Caravan 

Throughout October – Free

Breast cancer screening is critical. Throughout October, Zulekha Hospital (both in Sharjah and Dubai) is offering free screenings to women 25 and older, and free mammograms to women 40 and older. 

Nine West Donation

Until October 17 – Cost of a pair of shoes

This isn’t an event, but for every pair of Nine West shoes bought in its UAE stores at the start of October, the brand will donate a pair to a breast cancer survivor. 

Mediclinic 

All October – Discounted prices

Women over 40 are invited to book into a 50 percent discounted breast screening at Mediclinic’s hospitals across Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Al Ain. Online pre-registration required.

Featured image courtesy Ignite Pink is Punk