Columbia Asia Hospital – Cheras (CAH-C) in partnership with FUJIFILM Malaysia Sdn Bhd, hosted the PinKTober Charity Event at the hospital today to celebrate Breast Cancer Awareness Month. The event highlighted the pressing need for breast cancer awareness in Malaysia, where one in 19 women are at risk of developing the disease.

Pinktober event gathered women from B40 community for the cause of breast cancer awareness

Women from Balakong who received the health screening vouchers from ADUN Balakong

Influencer Dr Malar Santhi emcees the event

State Legislative Assembly Member of Balakong, Cheras, YB Ong Chun Wei graced the event alongside Columbia Asia Regional CEO (Region 1), Puan Engku Marina Engku Hatim, FUJIFILM Malaysia Managing Director, Mr. Kensuke Aragane, and CAH-C Deputy CEO, Mr. James Chong. Emceeing the event was popular Key Opinion Leader (KOL), who is well known for her casual banter and medical advice, Dr. Malar Santhi.

A cause to collaborate

From left to right: Mr Aragane, Puan Engku, and Mr James

From left to right, Puan Engku, Mr James, and YB Ong

Thanks to a RM20,000 sponsorship from FUJIFILM to CAH-C, 100 women aged 40 and above in the B40 category were given vouchers for complimentary mammogram and ultrasound screenings. YB Ong presented as well as facilitated voucher distribution among the B40 community in Balakong, as part of a collaborative CSR effort with CAH-C and Fujifilm. This effort helped incentivize the recipients to prioritise their health through early screenings at CAH-C without having to worry about cost or access.

“FUJIFILM Malaysia is proud to support the community’s health and well-being through these free screenings. We believe that access to quality healthcare is essential for everyone, and we are committed to making a positive impact on the lives of Malaysians. We hope that these screenings will help to identify potential health issues early and encourage preventive care,” shared Mr. Aragane.

This commendable collaboration aimed at raising awareness about the importance of early detection, aligned with government initiatives to reduce late-stage breast cancer diagnoses, particularly among women in the B40 community.

Commitment to fight breast cancer

“As a healthcare provider, Columbia Asia believes in the power of prevention. Early detection through regular screenings can save lives, and we are committed to making this accessible to all women, especially those who may be hesitant due to financial constraints,” said Puan Engku Marina.

“This event is a testament to our commitment to the community. We hope to empower women to take charge of their health and break the barriers of fear that hold many backs from taking that crucial first step towards better care,” added Puan Engku Marina.

The event was a success in delivering the message of how important it is to care for one’s health diligently. It serves as a stepping stone in fostering a culture where women are encouraged to take charge of their health and, ultimately, extend their life expectancy.