MAKNA - National Cancer Council Malaysia

Background

MAKNA (Majlis Kanser Nasional or the National Cancer Council) is a not-for-profit social enterprise mainly tasked to pool and utilise every effort, expertise and financial aid from every faction of society, and to fight cancer and reduce the related pain, suffering and morbidity that cancer patients and their families often experience.

MAKNA registered under the Register of Societies on 10th November 1994 and officially launched on 30th March 1995. MAKNA was founded by Dato’Mohd Farid Ariffin.

Mission

To mobilise resources in order to provide curative, preventive, research and support services to cancer patients and their families, high-risk groups and the general public, in Malaysia and the World.

Motto

The human spirit can achieve what it is set out to do when the will is able.

Objective

To pool and utilize all efforts, expertise and finance from all sectors of the society, to fight cancer and reduce related pain, morbidity and the suffering that cancer patients undergo.

Focus Areas

To keep abreast of the latest findings, information, technology and development in the cure for cancer.
To provide consistent cancer awareness and education programmes to educate and promote an understanding of a healthy lifestyle.
To raise sufficient funds for cancer-related services to the community.
To have a pool of well-trained and equipped staff to provide the best care and treatment to cancer patients.
To provide screening and early diagnostic facilities to enable early detection of cancer.
To source, collate and disseminate information effectively to all levels of society.
To encourage, support and conduct research in basic sciences and clinical research on cancer, which could lead to innovative treatment approaches.
To manage a bursary programme that provides financial assistance to cancer patients unable to meet the cost of treatment.

Milestones

For over two decades now, MAKNA has not faltered in its fight against cancer, which is estimated to put one in seven Malaysian males and one in six Malaysian females at risk of developing in their lifetime.*

Although engaged in a difficult battle, MAKNA has waged numerous successful ‘campaigns’ over the years. Do take a moment to glance through the organisation’s achievements.

1994		MAKNA is set up and registered under Malaysia’s Registrar of Societies.

1995		MAKNA receives tax-exemption status from the Malaysian government; The not-for-profit organisation is officially launched on March 30th.

1999		MAKNA’s IKM-PPUKM cancer treatment centre opens on April 19th.

2000		‘HLA Typing Service’ and ‘Bone Marrow Donor Registry’ (Patient Services) are formed.

2001		MAKNA embarks on numerous research collaborations with various Malaysian institutions of higher learning.

2005		MAKNA launches the ‘Young Survivors Scholarship Programme’.

2006		MAKNA introduces its unique ‘Micro Credit Programme’.

2008		MAKNA Cancer Information Service – 1-800-88 MAKNA (62562) formed

2008		MAKNA Cancer Research Institute opened

Coming Soon		MAKNA Mobile Cancer Screening Unit MAKNA Comprehensive Cancer Center

* National Cancer Registry (NCR) Cancer Incidence in Peninsular Malaysia 2003-2005 report.

Periwinkle Logo

The Periwinkle plant is so common, we bet you’ve come across it but not realised its curative properties. Indeed, did you know that this pleasant purple-and-white creation of nature is widely used in the treatment of cancer?

Locally known as Kemunting Cina, the Periwinkle is a perennial plant commonly found in gardens, by the roadside and even on playgrounds in Malaysia. This lovely and delicate flower is in fact revolutionising the treatment of cancer through a number of chemotherapy drugs.

Chemicals in these plants have been found to contain the unique ability to keep certain kinds of cancerous cells from reproducing. For example, these chemicals have been known to have helped increase the survival rate of childhood leukaemia from a mere 10 per cent to 95 per cent!

The most important plant source ingredient in chemotherapy is alkaloids from the Madagascar Periwinkle (Catharanthus Rosevs). Two alkaloids named vinblasfine and vincrisfine are today commonly used individually or combined with other forms of therapy for cancer treatment.

Could there be a better symbol than the Periwinkle to be MAKNA’s logo – and the organisation’s emblem in the battle against cancer?

BG 03A & O5, Ground Floor, Megan Ambassy, No 225, Jalan Ampang, 50450 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Phone: +603-2162 9178 | Facsimile: +603-2162 9203 | Email: makna[at]makna.org.my

MAKNA Cancer Helpline: 1-800-88-62562

© Copyright MAKNA (Majlis Kanser Nasional) - 2010