Monash University Student Association (MUSA) raised a total of RM8,000 in aid of the National Cancer Council’s (MAKNA) cancer research program during a charity run recently.

Themed “Run A Mile and Save a Life”, the charity event attracted quite a huge crowd, mostly members of the public and students.

The event was part of the association’s regular activities to raise funds for charity. Last July, a group of students from Monash climbed Gunung Tahan to raise RM10,000 for the Taman Megah Handicapped and Disabled Children’s Home.

In October, MUSA organised another charity drive in aid of the National Kidney Foundation.

MUSA’s Women’s Officer Melissa Shum said proceeds from the charity run would be used by MAKNA for its cancer research program.

She said cancer is a major health problem in Malaysia. “By supporting MAKNA, we hope to see an improvement in the quality of life of cancer patients through the various research activities carried out.”

After the run, there was a special session where cancer survivors recounted their experience in coping with the disease. This was followed by a poignant candle lighting ceremony, which saw participants forming the word hope using lighted candles.

Shum said the ceremony was of significance as it symbolized hope that cancer patients harboured in their struggle to overcome the disease.

”Hopefully through MAKNA’s cancer research program, new medication and technology will be developed. There is still hope that a cure for cancer can be found one day,” she said.

MAKNA is a non-profit organisation which was established to provide financial assistance and counseling to cancer patients. It relies heavily on public donations to fund its activities, which are primarily used to provide curative, preventive, research and support services to cancer patients and their families, high risk groups and the general public.

MAKNA established a national cancer institute known as Institut Kanser MAKNA-HUKM in 19999, which is well-equipped with both in-patient and out-patient facilities besides providing counseling services for cancer patients. The institutute also undertakes bone marrow transplant and cancer research.

Monash University Malaysia’s Pro Vice-Chancellor Professor Merilyn Liddell said the university fully supports MUSA’s charity programs, which are in line with the university’s mission to have students engaged with the community.

“At Monash, students are extending the boundaries of the classroom. . They are encouraged to strike a balance between the academic demands of university life and engagement with society through their participation in worthwhile activities. Education, particularly higher education, is a privilege, and it is good to see the students desire to give something back to the community through organizing a charitable event such as this.”

Source by: http://www.monash.edu.my, February 24, 2005