by Dr Evelyn Ho

The event started at 3.25 pm with lucky draw numbers being the first on the agenda to reward the early birds and to allow the last minute arrivals to settle down. After a short introduction to the College of Radiology (CoR), Dr Evelyn Ho, the event organiser then spoke on the birth and rise of Radiology Malaysia, www.radiologymalaysia.org into being a credible presence on the Internet and presented the positive growth statistics. All activities on the web as well as the community service activities of the CoR were made possible by cooperating with partners in awareness, corporate sponsors and individuals.

At this point in time, Roy Norman Botley, himself a cancer survivor (2 different cancers) was called upon to give a short testimony of his story of how he dealt with caring for and until the passing of his beloved wife from ovarian cancer. Roy was one of the 2005 MyStory:CeritaKu Radiology Malaysia-Meditel Contest winner. More lucky numbers were drawn after this “sobering” aspect of the event, that brought to mind the seriousness of the whole point of raising awareness for earlier detection and better wholesome care of the cancer patient.

Next, sponsors and partners in awareness were recognised for their contributions and cooperation in making the activities of Radiology Malaysia successful. A CoR pewter collar pin was given as a token of appreciation to each of the representatives:

• Ms Kit Lim of Kidz Magazine

• Dr Saunthari Dharmalingam of National Cancer Society of Malaysia

• June Yeoh, National Council of Women’s Organisations

• Ranjit Kaur, Breast Cancer Welfare Association

• Maria Kinson,Breast Cancer Support Society, Segamat – for being the coordinator of the CoR Mammogram programme for areas in and around Segamat

• Rosehayati Ahmad Noordin of Hospis Malaysia

• Yap Su Lin, the Chairperson of the Estee Lauder Group of Companies Breast Cancer Awareness Campaign for their donations that has kept the value added CoR mammogram programme going

• David Lopez on behalf of Café WIP for being such a great venue sponsor

• Radiology Malaysia Website sponsors: Abex Medical, Agfa Healthcare, Siemens (and also for sponsoring premiums for the goody bags), Barco and Amanita

• Bayer Schering, for sponsoring premiums for the goody bags

• Brian Lariche and Nasreen Ma as judges for this contest

(Rudy Rozaidi, the 3rd judge, Managing Director of Don’t Panic was not able to attend the event.)

Dr Evelyn Ho then moved on to the topic of community service programmes, mainly the CoR value added mammogram programme. In 2007, 299 women benefitted from this programme and 4 were detected with breast cancer and undergoing treatment. Maria Kinson, who came all the way from Segamat gave a short report of what actually happened for the participants, and how transport had to be arranged to the closest CoR accredited mammography centre in Kuantan.

As breast cancer was still on the rise, and was much more easily treated when detected early, it was a relevant and important programme, made possible by donations from caring corporate such as Estee Lauder. In the 2007 Estee Lauder campaign, they had donated RM 100,000 to the CoR. This money was received in January 2008 for our programmes.

Some of the winners were then awarded their prizes. The Leong family was commended on their family affair, surfing Radiology Malaysia for nearly 3 weeks to complete their tagline/slogan for the creative contest. They were given extra goodies – as they had been exemplary in being willing to be open with their children (Andrew – 8, Alson -13, Carmen -14 and Adrian -15 yrs old) to discuss cancer. After all, cancer affects children directly and indirectly when parents, grandparents or uncles & aunties get diagnosed with cancer. Parents, Thomas and Penny were part of the whole party of Leongs awarded prizes of a cook book, 1 Cinema Online goody bag, 1 year’s subscription of Kidz Magazine, 1 digital photoframe, Microsoft bag, Microsoft Denim Shirt, Metal Mugs and each of the children received an Apacer Handy Steno USB 2.0 Flashdrive.

Lau Suit Wan, herself a breast cancer survivor and Low Mei Yan won the other special prizes of a cook book, 1 year’s subscription to Kidz Magazine and 1 Cinema Online goody bag each. The judges felt that Suit Wan has portrayed her journey through cancer well in her collage. She is also a member of the Pink Challengers dragonboat rowing team.

Dr Evelyn then declared a “commercial break” – intermission thus leaving 5 more winners in suspense!

click here for Part 2 & more photos!

click here for the Prize Winners!