Relay for Life - 2/6/07

From THE STAR - 1/6

MISS Malaysia World 2007 beauties led in the pledge to participate in the National Cancer Society of Malaysia (NCSM)'s Relay for Life (RFL) KL 2007.

“We are here to encourage you to come forward and get involved in this wonderful relay. It is the perfect opportunity to share some meaningful moments with people who have suffered from cancer, those who are suffering from it and friends of those who are suffering from cancer,” said winner Deborah Priya Henry.

“We have been getting good response from the public and the corporate sector but we want as many people as possible to turn up. This is our inaugural relay in Kuala Lumpur and so this is our final push for support before the big day,” said honorary adviser of NCSM Datuk Zuraidah Atan.

The RFL is a 16-hour walk or run around the tracks of the MSN Training Stadium in Bukit Jalil from 6pm on Saturday to 10am the next day.

Participants can either walk or run but the aim is to have people on the track throughout the 16 hours. Those who want to rest can set up tents in a camping area that will be provided.

The event will start with a survivor's lap.

“We have around 500 survivors from around Malaysia to start off the walk. Nor Amiza, a cancer patient featured in our television advertisement will lead the walk,” said RFL co-chairman Clare Ratnasingham at a press conference at Nikko Hotel, Kuala Lumpur.

The symbolic Luminaria ceremony will start at 8.30pm.

“We will all light up candles with thoughts and memories of people who have died of cancer or are suffering from it.

“This is a networking event for survivors, caregivers and volunteers. It is a form of solidarity in our fight against cancer,” said Zuraidah.

To support the event, Nikko Hotel will be sending teams from various departments to participate.

Henry later joined Dawn Jeremiah (first runner-up), Jacqueline Ong (second runner-up), Mae Lee Myn Wee (third runner-up) and the organisers in a convoy of sponsored Perodua Viva cars to hand out registration forms in the city.

The event is free for cancer survivors and RM10 per person or RM100 for a team of 10 for the public.

Those who are interested but have yet to register can do so on the day of the event.