KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian Medical Association (MMA) will be organising a fundraiser called 'Cycle for Cancer' from July 15-24.
This event will see its participants cycling cover 1,100km from Sandakan, Sabah to Sibu, Sarawak, to raise funds for the National Cancer Council (MAKNA).
MMA president Dr Koh Kar Chai said the funds to be raised through this event will go towards providing support for the various needs of cancer patients in the country.
"Cancer is a devastating illness to both the individual and the community.
"It is (usually) an incurable, long-drawn condition that has a serious mental, emotional, physical and financial impact.
"Many of us have seen the challenges cancer sufferers and their loved ones go through.
"We hope through this effort, we will be able to in some way help improve the quality of life of the many who are affected by the disease," he said in a statement, today.
To start the ball rolling, MMA has pledged a donation of RM50,000 towards the fund.
MAKNA, which was founded in 1994, is one of the biggest associations helping cancer patients and their families in fighting the illness while reducing pain and suffering.
In 2021 alone, Malaysia has registered nearly 50,000 cancer cases, and these figures are expected to double in 2040.
In 2020, RM15 million in aid was disbursed through MAKNA to nearly 7,000 cancer patients.
Inspired by the courses in helping others through this event, a few cancer patients and survivors will be helping to enliven this event.
Danny Goh, 56, from Kota Kinabalu, Sabah will be leading the logistics and support crew for this event.
He has been fighting stage 4 thyroid cancer since 2016 and is currently on oral chemotherapy, which was financially supported by MAKNA.
Besides driving the lead car, he will also be cycling as much as he can.
Another beneficiary of MAKNA, who wanted to be known only as Zaidi, 57, from Johor, will be cycling the full 1,100km.
Zaidi has fought leukaemia since 1994 and mouth cancer since 2010.
Members of the public can also do their part in the fight against cancer by contributing to CFC2022 or by taking part in cycling events.
The public can deposit their donations to MMA Foundation's UOB bank account at 1063057741, and indicate 'CFC2022 Donation' Recipients Reference or Other Payment Details. The UOB Swift Code for international donations is 'UOVBMYKL'.
All donations, both cash and in-kind, are tax-deductible and will be channelled to the MMA Foundation.
Those who would like to participate as a cyclist, sponsor, or volunteer, can get in touch with MMA by emailing them at cfc2022@mma.org.my, or call Rafikah at 03-40411375 (ext 113) between Monday to Friday from 9am to 6pm.
They can also visit www.mma.org.my/cycle-for-cancer-2022/ for more information.