In responding to the health needs of low-income communities, Empowered embarked on an awareness campaign at Taman Setapak Indah Jaya. The threatening weather did not dampen the turnout for the day. 122 residents, aged 50 years old and above from the 3 apartment blocks came out bright and early on a Sunday morning to learn more about colorectal cancer.

In this tailored workshop, Empowered is responding to the health needs of low-income communities by bringing the latest scientific information about colorectal cancer and its curability when detected early and by equipping them with the necessary support they need to make important changes in their lifestyles. This high risk-group of participants were taken through an educational program which started off with Prof Dr Chin Kin Fah from UMMC presenting a talk titled “Colorectal Cancer – Early Detection Saves Lives”. Chui Ping Lei, Lecturer from University of Malaya, continued with a presentation on “Empowered to save lives and support”. Information on Empowered’s background and past and current screening projects were shared with participants. The support that Empowered provides to beneficiaries of the screening projects was highlighted to encourage them to participate in the next screening campaign.

A quiz session followed each presentation and 10 lucky winners received health-screening vouchers as prizes.

Mr Tan Chu Tea, a 53-year-old colorectal cancer survivor and beneficiary of Empowered’s screening campaign in Selayang in November 2011, shared his testimonial in Mandarin as he described his brave journey through the screening process and treatment journey. He expressed his gratitude for the extensive support given to him by the caring volunteers of Empowered. Mr Tan said, "I am very thankful to Empowered for holding this program in our community. I have not come across a charitable organization like Empowered that is so caring and dedicated in helping the poor people by providing colon cancer screening and further making all the arrangements to send them to hospital for colonoscopy and further treatment. Empowered even paid for all the hospital fees and charges. For this, I want to say a big thank you to Empowered."

Creativity and fun was incorporated into the half-day program when Empowered's volunteer physiotherapists and dietician took centre stage and facilitated healthy lifestyle demonstrations in the form of exercise and cooking.

Lucky draws ended the half-day programme and where lucky participants took home hampers.

We wish to express our thanks and gratitude to our collaborators, sponsors, donors and the volunteers from IMU, MAHSA whose support has contributed to the success of this meaningful campaign.