A Hallmark of 20 Years of Committed Service to the Malaysian Society

On 30 March 2014, MAKNA will cross the 20th year mark since beginning operations in 1994. Today it is all grown up and is an established non-profit assisting cancer patient regardless of background, stature, creed and colour. From a small team of staff led by the then Deputy Health Minister, Dato’ Mohd Farid Ariffin, he set up MAKNA after his own son, the late Farul Rafiq was diagnosed with Leukaemia (Farul survived after a bone marrow transplant and passed away in August 2011). 

Struggling with his own conscience, Dato’ Farid felt it was time for him to do something for poor cancer patients who could ill afford cancer treatment.

30 March Launching of MAKNA

As MAKNA crosses this threshold, we are reminded of the countless challenges that have come before us that could have derailed our mission. But fortunately, due to foresight and perseverance that was driven by an altruistic goal, MAKNA has continued to survive till this day.

Many things have happened since but MAKNA’s story has remained as a non-profit that has received tremendous support by Malaysians everywhere, whether in the country or overseas, from donors and supporters from all ilk and backgrounds.

As we celebrate our 20th year in operations, we are just as fervent and committed to our cause in bringing the necessary help to cancer communities in all parts of the country. As far our mission is concerned, we will maintain our resoluteness to keep plugging away as long as the public needs us. 

Some of our work in the past 20 years

To our supporters, donors and well-wishers everywhere, and not forgetting our volunteers, there’s no describing how much you have meant to all us here at MAKNA. You have only shown that the true value of compassion, kindness and generosity can have the power to heal and this allows our patients to deal with their situations with dignity, hope and a burning spirit to beat cancer.

To those who have been dealt the cruel fate of succumbing to the disease, you will always have a special place in our heart as you continue to remind and inspire us in our journey towards achieving all our goals and objectives.

Stay tuned for some of the activities we will be organising in conjunction of MAKNA’s 20th Birthday!

MAKNA PINK PACKET CAMPAIGN

Happy Chinese New Year From Everyone At MAKNA

MAKE A DIFFERENCE TO THE LIVES OF CANCER PATIENTS THIS CHINESE NEW YEAR

This Chinese New Year, MAKNA wants to bring good news and continued relief to those affected by cancer. With our Pink Packet campaign, we’re calling on everyone celebrating Chinese New Year to show generosity and kindness not only to their friends and family, but to children, adults and families battling cancer in the country.

On this festive occasion, we will be sending you a Pink Packet via email and we will appreciate your participation and support by clicking on that package and joining in the fight against cancer!

Amongst the red packets you will be giving this Chinese New Year, give one Pink Packet to help fight cancer. Any donation, no matter how small, can make an enormous difference.

Cancer is becoming more and more common which is why we must increase our efforts every single year.  The more support we receive,  the more empowered we will be in reaching out to deserving cancer patients.

Donate now! http://www.makna.org.my/donate.asp

THANK YOU!

MAKNA Founder’s Run

MAKNA

MAKNA (Majlis Kanser Nasional / National Cancer Council) was founded by Dato’Mohd Farid Ariffin.

MAKNA was officially launched on 30 March 1995 was registered as a society on 10 November 1994.

MAKNA is a not-for-profit social enterprise mainly tasked to pool and utilise every effort, expertise and financial aid from every faction of society, and to fight cancer and reduce the related pain, suffering and morbidity that cancer patients and their families often experience.

THE FOUNDER

Dato' Mohd Farid Arifin has vast management, organisational and entrepreneurship experience , having served as a teacher, lecturer and lawyer and later as Deputy Finance Minister (1987 – 1989) and Deputy Health Minister (1989 – 1995).

MAKNA was set up from his own family experience, and today it is a home-grown organisation fully focused on cancer.

His teenage son Farul Rafiq was 17 when diagnosed with leukemia (blood cancer) in 1992.  Farul was flown to London, England (Hammersmith Hospital) for treatment.  There, he underwent a regimented treatment which included an autologous bone marrow transplant, which was not yet available in Malaysia.  A few years into battling the diseases, he was finally certified cancer-free.

While recuperating at the hospital in London, Dato’ Mohd Farid’s family made a promise that on their return to Malaysia, they would set up a cancer organisation aimed to help those from lower income groups gain access to cancer treatment.

On 4 August 2011, we sadly lost Farul, he passed away owing to lung fibrosis (not to cancer).  

THE RUN

This run, which not only celebrates MAKNA’s existence, will also be a way of sourcing for funds to aid our main cause being assisting financially challenged cancer patients and their families.

Cancer Can Be Prevented when detected early, which means more of these lives being helped by MAKNA, can be saved if they receive financial support in time through donation commitments by kind-hearted souls.  Funds raised will ensure uninterrupted supply of financial assistance, surgical equipment, liquid food, prostheses, and prescribed drugs for poor cancer patients and also provide young cancer survivors with educational scholarship.

While promoting an active lifestyle, fitness and celebrating health, this run will also heighten cancer awareness bringing much needed attention to this prevalent illness.  Coming together, we strengthen the tie between survivors, their families and the community.  A step taken today paves the path for tomorrow.

All in all, it will be a fun-filled day, advocating fitness while raising funds for a very worthy cause.

Come Run the Miles, Fund the Smiles!

Up to RM 14,000 in cash prizes to be given away.
Hurry Up! Register now at the following website for early bird discounted rates.

http://maknafoundersrun.com/ 

MAKNA Founder’s Run – Talking Point

• MAKNA was set up based on own family experience when Farul Rafiq fell ill in 1992
• MAKNA is in its 19^th years of operation now. We got MAKNA registered in November 1994 and officially launched it on 30 March 1995.
• What was a promise became a reality and now we are nurturing our efforts in realising our mission in providing the much needed access to poor patients in every possible ways.
• We look forward to all Malaysians coming together in standing up to cancer.
• Farul is no longer with us now, but he was the inspiration behind MAKNA, this legacy which started because of Farul shall live.  This shall continue in helping poor patients and their families in our country.
• The Founder’s run signifies the support given by our donors and Malaysia in general.   Day by day, our efforts are becoming recognisable and sort after.
• Today we are proud that we have gained the support from 88 government hospitals throughout Malaysia.  This has abled us to reach almost 5,000 patients a year.
• And, this could not be possible without the untiring support we receive monthly from individual donors.
• Our major achievement is the Mammogramme Mobile Unit that travels throughout Malaysia in providing cost effective mammogramme screening or no cost when applicable.  The unit features advance digital mammography.  Hopefully we are able to help detect breast cancer early and bring down the incidence rate and increase survival rate.
• We have set out of Malaysia in our efforts of expanding our horizons in International platforms where we can advance to build expertise, and leverage resources across nations to address the global burden of cancer.
• Come and run together with us, be a charity athelete and march for cancer.  Your participation gives someone a meaning to life.  Every mile you conquer and dollar raised will give our cancer patients hope for tomorrow.