Hundreds of supporters turned up for the Relay for Life Penang 2019 event which was held today on the grounds of the Penang Hospice Society for the very first time.
THE WOU TEAM ENTHUSIASTICALLY SHOWING THEIR SUPPORT.
Wawasan Open University once again extended its support as a silver sponsor and sent a 33-member team to participate in the customary walkabout around the field.
PART-TIME LECTURER FOO CHUAT MENG (FOREGROUND, CENTRE) HOLDING THE WOU BANNER AS HE LEADS THE WAY.
The annual Relay, which entered its 15th edition this year, was organised by the National Cancer Society Malaysia (NCSM) Penang branch and the Penang Hospice Society.
In his welcoming speech, NCSM Penang branch chairman Dato’ Seri Dr T Devaraj said that the Penang Hospice Society secured its current premises in 2000. He thanked the sponsors for their support in the fight against cancer, urging everyone to “never lose hope” in the face of the many sadness and sufferings in the world today.
DATO’ SERI DEVARAJ TELLS THE CROWD TO “NEVER LOSE HOPE”.
He said that adopting a proper lifestyle will help to reduce incidences of cancer, which is a major cause of deaths in the country. “We must, as individuals, realise our own responsibilities in preventing cancer and other diseases,” he said, adding that this event will hopefully help in a small way to raise awareness and reduce the risk of cancer.
In his speech prior to launching the event, Chairman of Think City Sdn Bhd Dato’ Dr Anwar Fazal, lauded Dato’ Seri Devaraj for devoting his life to the sick and to society over the past 60 years. He said Malaysia ranks top in ASEAN and second in Asia for obesity, declaring that obesity along with stress can lead to health issues if they are not managed “intelligently, urgently and dramatically.”
He said that adopting a proper lifestyle will help to reduce incidences of cancer, which is a major cause of deaths in the country. “We must, as individuals, realise our own responsibilities in preventing cancer and other diseases,” he said, adding that this event will hopefully help in a small way to raise awareness and reduce the risk of cancer.
In his speech prior to launching the event, Chairman of Think City Sdn Bhd Dato’ Dr Anwar Fazal, lauded Dato’ Seri Devaraj for devoting his life to the sick and to society over the past 60 years. He said Malaysia ranks top in ASEAN and second in Asia for obesity, declaring that obesity along with stress can lead to health issues if they are not managed “intelligently, urgently and dramatically.”
DATO’ ANWAR FAZAL WAS THE GUEST OF HONOUR AT THE OPENING CEREMONY.
He offered seven steps to better health: to eat less; exercise regularly; to have a spirit of caring and sharing; to treat other people as you would like to be treated; smile; learn how to listen with your ears, eyes and heart; and to make your life centered around service to the community. He summarised, “Make your life happy and healthy.”
Dato’ Dr Anwar and Dato’ Seri Dr Devaraj then joined the survivors for the first lap of the walkabout, after which they were joined by teams from the sponsors and the other participants.
THE CANCER SURVIVORS WITH THE BANNER THAT READS ‘WINNERS’ AND FILLED WITH HAND-WRITTEN MESSAGES THAT ENCOURAGE AND INSPIRE.
The WOU team was led by Communications Manager Rasidah Mion and comprised of full-time students and staff.
RASIDAH RECEIVING A TOKEN OF APPRECIATION FROM DATO’ ANWAR ON BEHALF OF WOU.
