700 JOIN PINK RIBBON FUN RIDE
Participants cycle 25km through KL to boost awareness about breast cancer
MORE than 700 cyclists kicked off Breast Cancer Awareness Month in Malaysia with the Pink Ribbon Fun Ride here yesterday.
Clad in vibrant pink jerseys bearing the slogan “Because We Care”, the riders powered through a 25km route, which began and ended at the New Straits Times Press (M) Bhd (NSTP) Balai Berita headquarters in Jalan Riong, Bangsar.
They cycled through the city and passed Dataran Merdeka, Bukit Bintang and Suria KLCC.
Wacoal Malaysia executive director Tsutomu Fujimura lauded the participants, including eight cancer survivors, for taking part in the event.
He said they could boost awareness about the disease.
“Can you imagine… riders in pink, with a message? People will ask what it is and wonder what it is (all about). I am moved by the overwhelming number of participants (who turned up for) this unique and fun ride, which is open to everyone.
“While we advocate for and contribute towards the wellbeing of women, the event also celebrates cultural diversity and unity.”
Breast cancer survivor Dina Aziz, 44, said awareness programmes were vital to ensure cancer patients and survivors remained positive and happy.
She said not all family members could relate or understand what it was like to be a cancer patient, thus communicating and interacting with those going through the same situation made things easier.
She said before she was diagnosed, she was active in sports and had been working as an account executive.
After she was diagnosed, she was advised against participating in sports. She quit her job to avoid stress as it could make her health worse.
She said she started volunteering at the National Cancer Council Malaysia in Ampang and this was how she started participating in cancer awareness programmes.
“When I’m with them, they are positive and I become positive too. This is meaningful.”
Chef and restaurant owner Farhan Iza Abdul Rahman, 45, celebrates her “independence” from cancer two weeks ago after finishing her final round of chemotherapy.
She said the cure to the disease was happiness and positivity, something she had been holding on to since she was diagnosed in April.
“I was scared initially, but after undergoing the biopsies and removing the tumour, I took a different approach — to be positive and happy. I was prepared by that time,” she said, adding that it was pointless to be sad because death was fated.
“We should make the best of the time we have.”
Farhan Iza was diagnosed with stage-two breast cancer. She lost her hair and taste buds, and her nails turned dark due to chemotherapy. However, she said, she never gave up.
“Today (yesterday), I managed to join the ride. Alhamdulillah ,I made it until the first pit stop at Fahrenheit 88 Mall. I was tired so I did not want to push myself.
“Education and awareness are important. I must admit, before this I never bothered... It is not due to ignorance, but it is just scary.
“Please have a health check at least once a year, especially those with a family history of cancer. We have more opportunities now, women health programmes and such, so don’t miss out. Do not wait until it is too late.”
Yesterday’s event, which marked the fifth consecutive year of collaboration between Wacoal Malaysia and the New Straits Times (NST), was launched by Fujimura and NST executive editor Muzli Mohd Zin.
The race was flagged off by Fujimura, Muzli and NSTP chief commercial officer Alfian Abu Talib.
Alfian hoped the collaboration between the two companies would be expanded by penetrating rural communities.
The expansion, he said, could look into the care for breast cancer patients and creating a more informed community on cancerrelated issues.
“Cancer awareness is focused on urban areas. Awareness is lacking in rural areas.
“We will expand this collaboration by holding fun rides in Ipoh, Kuantan and Kota Baru. (We will get closer) to society in creating awareness.”
Present were Wacoal Malaysia’s deputy general manager Lo Yean Feein and NSTP advertising general manager Roche Chew.
Breast cancer remains the No. 1 killer among Malaysian women. According to national cancer statistics, one in 19 Malaysians is at risk of developing the disease. Early detection is key as the survival rate for breast cancer is as high as 85 per cent, with appropriate treatment.
Since its incorporation in 2003, Wacoal Malaysia has been championing the Pink Ribbon drive every October to promote the prevention of the illness.
The World Health Organisation has said Breast Cancer Awareness Month, observed in countries across the world every October, boosts attention and support for the awareness, early detection and treatment, as well as palliative care.