Great Eastern Takaful helps raise childhood cancer awareness

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 22 (Bernama) -- Great Eastern Takaful Berhad (GETB) collaborated with Kumpulan Ibu Bapa Dan Sokongan Anak-Anak Kanser (KIDS) to increase awareness among the community about childhood cancer via MyETS Journey Program.

In a statement today, GETB said the program which was held from Sept 9 to 11 in conjunction with Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, was to create awareness to passengers along the two-way journey from Kuala Lumpur to Alor Setar through the Express Train Service (ETS).

Concerned with the increasing number of cancer patients involving children, GETB fully supports KIDS' efforts in increasing community awareness and understanding of childhood cancer, as well as the challenges faced by the patients, caregivers and immediate family members.

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Great Eastern Takaful’s Head of Marketing Division, Nurul Sheila Khalib said the corporate social responsibility initiative through the collaboration between GETB and KIDS was truly meaningful.

"We want more Malaysians to understand that just like adult patients, children may also be diagnosed with cancer and they stand the same chance to be cured, live a good life and pursue their aspirations.

"Along with our goal as a provider of comprehensive family takaful protection plans, we look forward for all participants and their family members to Reach For Great with us," she said.

According to the statement, nearly 80 participants comprising child cancer patients, their families and volunteers of GETB distributed leaflets and shared their challenges in battling the disease while visiting various interesting places around Alor Setar.

Meanwhile, KIDS President Hamidah Tajudin while expressing gratitude to GETB for funding the MyETS Journey program, said the initiative gave huge excitement for childhood cancer patients in improving their self-confidence.

"We were also able to introduce KIDS to the community and made aware that the chances of childhood cancer patients recovering is high, which is more than 80 per cent. It is our hope that the community could lend their support towards the children with cancer," she added.

Medical Director of the National Cancer Society Malaysia (NCSM) Dr M. Murallitharan said about five children in Malaysia are diagnosed with different types of cancer each day.

-- BERNAMA