Etihad Airways launches breast cancer awareness campaign in the UAE

The Etihad Airways 2013 breast cancer awareness campaign combines free mammography and screening for staff and the general public.  The campaign involves awareness raising and fundraising activity, including the sponsorship of the 1st International Oncology Conference in Abu Dhabi. 

Selected Etihad flight attendants will wear pink uniforms and Etihad staff will support fundraising activities including pink ribbon pin, armband and bracelet sales and bake sales. 

Etihad Airways Medical Centre will provide free mammography and screenings for women over 40, as well as women who have a high risk or family history of breast cancer, in partnership with Burjeel Hospital.  The screening will be available to female employees and employees’ wives at Etihad’s Head Office for two days during October, before transferring to locations in Abu Dhabi, where women from the general public will be invited to drop-in for free screenings. 

As part of its commitment to advancing medical understanding of breast cancer, Etihad Airways is also sponsoring the First International Oncology Conference which will take place in Abu Dhabi at Jumeirah at Etihad Towers Hotel between 24 and 25 October 2013.  The two day conference brings together medical practitioners with academics, researchers and those working across the cancer field in the MENA region, as well as patients and families, to share knowledge and discuss controversial issues including prevention, risk factors, Imaging & Screening, diagnosis, clinical management and new approaches in targeted therapies. 

For the third year, Etihad is also sponsoring the annual ‘Pink Polo’ event at Ghantoot Racing and Polo Club on Saturday, 8 November 2013 from 2pm. This event is free to attend and raises awareness of breast cancer amongst the broader community in the UAE in a fun, family environment. 

Ray Gammell, Etihad Airway’s chief people and performance officer, said: “Breast Cancer Awareness Month is an important opportunity to educate and support those affected by or at risk of breast cancer.  Every October, our campaign puts breast cancer front of mind amongst our employees, those flying with us and the local community in Abu Dhabi.  This year, through Etihad’s sponsorship of the 1st International Oncology Conference in Abu Dhabi we also aim to increase medical debate and understanding of breast cancer prevention and treatment.”

Dr Nadia Al Bastaki, senior medical officer at Etihad Airways Medical Centre added, “Breast cancer is the most common form of cancer among women in the UAE, with one in eight women at risk.  Raising awareness about the importance of regular self-examination for women of all ages, and biennial medical screenings for women over 40 is imperative in reducing the impact breast cancer has on our community.”

Proceeds from the Etihad Airways 2012 breast cancer awareness campaign enabled the purchase of a new ultrasound machine, which was donated in March 2013 to the Red Crescent to assist the organisation’s nation-wide efforts to promote early detection and treatment of breast cancer among Emirati women.