22 August 2002
Telekanser Aims To Raise RM1m

The Raja Permaisuri Agong, Tuanku Fauziah Al-Marhum Tengku Abdul Rashid, launched Telekanser 2002 in Kuala Lumpur to raise funds for the Nasional Cancer Council (MAKNA).

Cancer patient Siti Hajar getting a peck on the check from her mother

Last year's Telekanser campaign raised RM1mil and the same target is set for this year. It runs from Aug 19 to Dec 31, 2002, with the theme "A Meaning to Life."

"Every sen you give goes a long way. All you have to do is to pick up the phone and make your next call a meaningful one that can save a life," said MAKNA founder and president Datuk Mohd Farid Ariffin.

At least 45,000 new cancer cases are detected each year. Many of these patients lack funds to pay for the expensive treatment and medicaton."

Telekanser also educates the public on cancer, cancer prevention and lifestyle management. A series of talks, articles on cancer and exhibitions will run throughout the campaign.

Farid said he also hoped to raise US$3mil (RM11.4mil) to buy a robotic cancer treatment machine from the United States.

The Raja Permaisuri Agong launching the campaign accompanied by Farid

"It has been proven to treat 60% of solid cancer, especially in the brain and spine. We have seen the demonstrations and case studies and we want to offer this cutting edge technology to our patients here, some of whom can't even afford the fare to MAKNA for their treatments.

"With this machine, there is no need for surgery, radiotherapy or even hospitalization.

"Only preventive chemotherapy may be needed. If corporations can sponsor RM200,000 each, all we need are 15 donors," said Farid.

"Every patient has a right to treatments. Many children have chronic diseases but their families look for help in other forms, such as turning to a bomoh, because they do not have enough money," Farid said

At the launch, Siti Hajar Shafika Othman, a 14-year-old girl battling leukaemia since she was five, shared her experience as a cancer patient. She said she underwent a bone marrow transplant and was recovering now.

The campaign includes a Charity Towerthon Run at KL Tower on Sept 8, ERA charity football match in October, the annual Terry Fox Run at Taman Tasik Perdana in October and Periwinkle Day celebrations in November.

To donate to Telekanser, people can call the toll free line 1-800-88-3313 at any time of the day to pledge their support.

After making the pledge, the caller can send the money in cash, cheque, credit card, money order, postal order or bank in to MAKNA through Hong Leong Bank and Finance, Affin Bank, Alliance Bank, AM Bank, Bank Simpanan Nasional, Bumiputra-Commerce Bank, EON Bank, Malayan Banking, Public Bank Bhd, RHB Bank and Southern Bank.

Among the corporations that have come out in support of the campaign are Telekom Malaysia, Menara Kuala Lumpur, XYBASE Sdn Bhd, Putra-LRT and Axis Films.

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