Softlan’s Breast Cancer Charity Campaign for MAKNA

Softlan’s Breast Cancer Charity Campaign (BCC) is a recurring annual event that benefits several cancer charities in Malaysia including MAKNA. Its objective is to create awareness on breast cancer among women and encourage them to get screening for early detection.

Last year’s campaign held for the fifth time ran from October to November 2013. During the campaign period, pledges were made by the public through Facebook, Tweeter and Pinterest where these would be matched and converted into donations by Softlan.

This time, Softlan managed to raise RM 100,000 through the campaign and the three charities identified including MAKNA will each receive RM33,333.33.

                     Far left,  Mr Arvind Chintamani, Marketing Director of Colgate-Palmolive Marketing Sdn. Bhd. 
and far right, Pn Farahida Mohd Farid, General Manager of MAKNA.

During the campaign’s culmination and closing event held on 25 April 2014, MAKNA General Manager, Pn Farahida Mohd Farid shared a video on MAKNA’s mobile mammogram services and how the public has benefited from contribution from Softlan’s campaign last year.  

Marketing Director of Colgate-Palmolive Marketing, Mr Arvind Chintamani said, “Softlan strongly supports the call for self-awareness and early detection as the best protection against breast cancer. Through the Softlan “Because Caring Counts” campaign, we aimed to unite the public in their support to show their love and generosity to the women in their lives. We are truly honoured that our campaign was able to be a part this greater cause for breast cancer.”

Blast from the Past: Relaunching of MAKNA Coin Collection Campaign

Timeline: March 2011

MAKNA with the cooperation of Ministry of Education (MOE) and support from Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) launched Coin Collection Campaign 2011 at Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan (Perempuan) Pudu, Kuala Lumpur in early March 2011.

Targeted for mass coin collection with the support of primary and secondary schools nationwide, the campaign was officially launched by Deputy Minister of Education I, YB Dato’ Dr. Wee Ka Siong.  Coin Collection Campaign 2011 is a resumption of MAKNA’s One and Five Sen Campaign which was started in 2003, a project also supported by primary and secondary schools in Malaysia.

Dato’ Dr. Wee in the speech said that since the Coin Collection Campaign started in 2003, students, their parents and teachers have been able to collect hundreds of thousands of ringgit for the project.“This is a resounding success on their part and it directly reflects their high level of civic-mindedness and caring nature to serve, support and help those who are unfortunate.”

In his speech, MAKNA President, Dato’ Mohd Farid Ariffin said, “From the information we received for the previous campaigns, the school children’s parents provided the strongest support and encouragement to their children to participate in this campaign. Many of them realised the activity can create a difference in the lives of cancer patients seeking MAKNA’s help.”

The event also aimed to educate and also create awareness about the dangers of cancer and encouraging a healthy lifestyle among the school students.

Fast forward to present day (2014) - the coin collection campaign is still very much alive with schools everywhere working closely with MAKNA to raise funds for poor cancer patients throughout Malaysia. We laud and thank the efforts of these schools which have been supporting this campaign for years and continue to do so because they are of the belief every bit counts. With collective effort, the campaign can actually become another reliable source of funds to meet the assistance needed by poor cancer patients.

Advertising in MAKNA’s Newsletter, Neoplasia

Neoplasia, MAKNA’s official newsletter has been produced year after year since MAKNA’s earliest days, usually two to three issues per year. Recently, MAKNA started offering advertising spaces to companies and businesses in the newsletter’s pages.

Neoplasia is sent to our donors, certain companies, government agencies and public organisations. It is also available for download on MAKNA’s website. 

The following are more details about Neoplasia:

1.  The size of the newsletter is A5 (14.8 x 21 cm).

2.  The number of pages - 40 to 60.

3.  The number of copies per print - 60,000 to 100,000.

4.  Advertising spaces are in A5 (14.8 x 21 cm) & A6 (14.8 x 10.5 cm) only.

5. The advertisement rates range from RM1,300 to RM2,500 depending on 

     the location of the advertisement. Special rates are offered for repeat

     placements.

6. Demographics of readers – early 20’s to 60’s, from all states, all races, 

    majority in middle income groups.

We would very much like to invite you and your organisation to come on board and advertise in Neoplasia. By advertising, you will partly contributing to the cause helping cancer patients. Advertisers will be entitled to a tax exemption receipts for the amount paid. 

For more details, kindly contact 03-21786178, ext 136 or email to premalatha@makna.org.my

Current Activity: MAKNA Cancer Support Group (MCSG)

MAKNA Cancer Support Group (MCSG) has been around for several years now and is led by Outreach Programme Facilitator, Cik Habiba Abdul Rahman. The support group organises gatherings for cancer patients, survivors, family members who are affected by cancer  to share experiences, thoughts and expertise related to cancer. This gathering happens once in every 2 months at MAKNA’s office.

On 19 April 2014, MAKNA organised another series of the gathering and more than 20 participants showed up. Participants from private organisations and universities also joined the gathering this time.

These gatherings are uplifting affairs, giving positive vibes to attendees. Having an opportunity to pour out one’s bottled emotions, and an outlet to vent away with support given by the group can help the process of recovery, and alleviate the burdened soul. 

This support group also encourages a better bonding among the cancer patients/survivors with their families. It helps the participants understand what exactly someone with cancer goes through and what kind of support they need to battle cancer.

To know more about joining MAKNA’s Cancer Support Group, please contact CiK Habiba at 03-21629178, ext 165.

Upcoming Event: MAKNA Founder’s Night Run 2014

Here’s a heads up! – MAKNA Founder’s Run is returning this year, this time it will be held in the Klang Valley, on a November night! The venue is being confirmed even as we speak, we will confirm this shortly!

The objective of organising the run is to raise funds for MAKNA, and also it is to commemorate MAKNA’s 20^th year in operations.

Yes, MAKNA Founder’s Night Run 2014 (MFNR 2014) will cater to an estimated 5,000 domestic and foreign runners who will be grouped under the following categories:

Code	Category	Age	Distance	Local Fee	Intl Fee
A	Men Open	18 above	15 km	RM50	RM70
B	Women Open	18 above
C	Men Veteran	40 above
D	Women Veteran	40 above
E	Men Open	18 above	10 km	RM40	RM60
F	Women Open	18 above
G	Men Veteran	40 above
H	Women Veteran	40 above
J	Corporate Challenge (5/team)	18 above	10km	RM2,500	-
*K	Fun Run	5 above	5 km	RM30	RM30
*L	“Fancyfool” Run	5 above	5 km	RM30	RM30

* Category K&L ,welcome amateur runners. Runners are allowed to run with their babies, use prams, wheelchairs, bicycles, skates/rollerblades and even run in costumes. 

Registrations will open soon, watch this space, you will be the first to know when it does!

We are also in the midst of securing sponsors for the event, there are several categories of sponsorship which companies can take up. Sponsors can choose to contribute in cash or in kind. To find out more about the sponsorship opportunities, kindly call 03-21629178, or email makna@makna.org.my for more details.

Come join the fun, it’s all about charity and showing how much you care for cancer patients needing help. Also, it’s also a great way to spend a Saturday where there will be activities right from the morning till the flag-off time!