On 4 November 2012, Empowered brought its outreach program to the community of Teratai Mewah S1-S4 and Block 4 & 6 apartments. 123 residents aged 50 years old and above registered for the program to learn more about colorectal cancer.

Yang Bahagia Datin Paduka Khatijah binti Sulieman, Vice President of Majlis Kebajikan dan Pembangunan Masyarakat (MAKPEM) officiated the opening of the campaign. The show of support from community leaders, Mr Lee Kin Hing and Puan Aminah binti Shukor paved the way for a successful collaborative effort in holding this event. Pre-event activities included distribution of flyers and putting up banners at strategic locations. Volunteers from the community and IMU went door-to-door to conduct census and promote the campaign.

Participants were taken through an educational program which started off with Dr Tan Huck Joo, Consultant Gastroenterologist from Sunway Medical Centre 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.

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 lucky winners took home hampers and health-screening vouchers.

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.