Yvonne Foong: Fighting NF

Kelvin Lim, Ashley Hong and Irene Yong of Fleishman-Hillard Kuala Lumpur asked me back in January if I would join a team of digital ambassadors to raise awareness about cervical cancer vaccination. Always happy to support good causes, I agreed without a second thought. But I was so consumed by my own problems and was not in the frame of mind to go through the materials and fully understand what this is about and what it involves. The campaign is now wrapping up. Despite not doing much to help, they still want to invite me to dinner with assurations that it will be okay and not to worry about what the other bloggers might think.

I will go but feel bad to eat for ‘free’. So here it is, the press release of the POCC event which I did not attend.

Popular bloggers support the Power Over Cervical Cancer Campaign

Kuala Lumpur, January 22, 2010: The National Cancer Society of Malaysia (NCSM), supported by GlaxoSmithKline Pharmaceutical (GSK) launched ‘Power Over Cervical Cancer’ (POCC) campaign in July last year, aimed at educating and creating awareness about cervical cancer, a growing concern all around the world.

According to the World Health Organization, globally, more than 500,000 women will be diagnosed with cervical cancer and 280,000 women will die from it each year and the POCC campaign highlights these escalating incidences of cervical cancer and to urge women to protect themselves against the disease.

Five popular bloggers have come forward to join NCSM and GSK to support the POCC campaign. They are Serena C (twitter.com/serenachoong or alivenotdead.com/serenac), Niki Cheong (nikicheong.com), Joyce (kinkybluefairy.net), Joe Lee (klubkidd.com) and Yvonne Foong (yvonnefoong.com). These ‘Digital Ambassadors’ will educate and create awareness on cervical cancer and encourage their readers to participate in the Cervical Cancer Risk Questionnaire on the website, www.pocc.com.my or www.cancer.org.my.

Serena, Niki, Joyce, Joe and Yvonne were formally introduced during a POCC Pink Mobile appreciation event held at Twentyone Kitchen+Bar, one of the POCC campaign’s official partners. Other official partners include Pureology, Redken, and Stage Cosmetics.

The POCC campaign had an initial target of 10,000 people to complete the Cervical Cancer Risk Questionnaire. NCSM surpassed the target and at the end December 2009, a total of 14,526 people took the Cervical Cancer Risk Questionnaire. GSK presented RM14,526 to NCSM at the appreciation event.

“Owing to the overwhelming response to the POCC Pink Mobile, we will continue to engage the public in 2010 by going nationwide, making stops in Ipoh, Penang, Malacca and Johor” said Choong Kit Son, Vaccines Business Unit Director, GSK Pharmaceutical Malaysia.

“For 2010, we will continue to support NCSM with the RM1 donation for each Cervical Cancer Risk Questionnaire taken. We urge everyone in this room to help us spread the risks on cervical cancer and encourage your family members and friends to learn more about the disease at www.pocc.com.my or www.cancer.org.my ,” added Mr Choong.

“On behalf of NCSM, I would like to express my sincere gratitude to GSK for their support in this important campaign. I am also delighted that five Digital Ambassadors are coming on board to help spread the word with their online influence and continue to encourage more people to take the Cervical Cancer Risk Questionnaire,” said Dr Saunthari Somasundaram, Medical Director, NCSM.

About Power Over Cervical Cancer Campaign

The POCC Pink Mobile is a consumer engagement event as part of NCSM’s efforts to reach out to women. The POCC Pink Mobile made scheduled stops at parks, offices, malls and many other popular spots in the Klang Valley for a month, advocating women to take the first step towards protecting themselves against cervical cancer, the second highest cancer killer among Malaysian women.

During the stopovers, women were given the opportunity and encouraged to complete the Cervical Cancer Risk Questionnaire which consisted of two sections highlighting information on cervical cancer and a woman’s risk to contracting the disease. For each Cervical Cancer Risk Questionnaire completed, GlaxoSmithKline Pharmaceutical Sdn Bhd (GSK) contributed RM1 to NCSM.

About National Cancer Society of Malaysia (NCSM)

The National Cancer Society Malaysia (NCSM) is a registered charity body established in 1966 providing education, care and support services for people affected by cancer. It is the first cancer-related NGO established in Malaysia, and the only charity body that provides an extensive range of cancer services, treatment and support to the public.

It is a registered charity with tax exempt status under the laws of the Malaysian Societies Act and Registrar of Societies Malaysia. NCSM was founded by Dato’ Dr S.K. Dharmalingam and launched by the YAB Tun Abdul Razak. It is now under the distinguished patronage of the Sultan of Perak.

Financed entirely by voluntary contributions from the public, NCSM’s mission is “To ensure that no Malaysian fears cancer by creating an understanding of cancer that leads to prevention and early detection, and by providing the best possible care and support for those affected by cancer. “

Being the only charitable organization that provides holistic cancer treatment and support to patients and caregivers, NCSM takes them through their journey in understanding and dealing with cancer in various phases through its five cancer centres – Resource & Wellness Centre, Women’s Cancer Detection Centre, Nuclear Medicine Centre, Cancer Treatment Centre and the Children’s Home of Hope.

About GlaxoSmithKline (GSK):

GlaxoSmithKline, one of the world’s leading research-based pharmaceutical and healthcare companies, is committed to improving the quality of human life by enabling people to do more, feel better and live longer. For company information, visit www.gsk.com.