1. To raise awareness about the many types of lung cancer, recent evolution in diagnostics, therapeutics and prevention.
2. To work in collaboration with governmental and non-governmental organizations to promote smoke-free public and workplaces.
3. To encourage and educate the public to achieve healthy lungs and active lifestyles.
4. To raise sufficient funds to allow ongoing implementation of our grassroot cancer screening and treatment projects, so as to allow an increasing number of underprivileged communities throughout Malaysia to have their basic right to fight against cancer.

11/11 TOGETHER WITH EMPOWERED, RUN FOR A SOCIETY FREE OF LUNG CANCER

Love Lung, Love Life

Kepong, Kuala Lumpur (11th Nov, 2018) - EMPOWERED - The Cancer Advocacy Society of Malaysia launched its debut Lung Cancer Awareness Charity Run at Taman Metropolitan Kepong, in conjunction with the World Lung Cancer Month. Themed “Love Lung, Love Life”, this Community Outreach Program aims to raise awareness about lung cancer, and the changing landscape in the way this disease is being diagnosed and treated. It is also an effort to support EMPOWERED’s ongoing grassroot implementation of cancer screening and treatment projects. These projects have empowered countless number of underprivileged Malaysians, a basic right to fight against cancer.

“Love Lung Love Life” was not an ordinary charity run. This community event imparted a diverse array of creative learning experiences for the Malaysian public. Participants journeyed through a learning process marked by chapters of medical information that were imparted on educational posters that were strategically hung off trees. The Aerodance dancers warmed up hundreds of runners with Zumba dance moves. Hungry runners and children fed off nutritious snacks and meals generously prepared by F&B outlets. School children aged 5 to 12 expressed their artistic understanding of World Lung Cancer month through an art competition. Celebrity performances and lucky draws energized every participant, young and old.

Lung cancer contributes to the highest cancer related mortality worldwide. It is a fatal disease that can affect Malaysians of all backgrounds, in both smoking and non-smoking individuals. The awareness of lung cancer, its causes and warning signs as well as the availability of new and evolving diagnostic and therapeutic strategies, is alarmingly low among Malaysians. The exciting evolution of personalized lung cancer treatment based on the use of cancer biomarkers has made it possible for lung cancer patients to reach new survival milestones that were thought impossible even 5 to 10 years ago.

The event opening ceremony was graced by Dr. Feizul Idzwan bin Mustapha, the Deputy Director of Disease Control Division, Ministry of Health Malaysia. “Lung cancer is the number one killer cancer in the world”, he said, and he encouraged participants to take charge of their own health by living a healthy lifestyle. He also congratulated EMPOWERED in successfully organized its first Lung Cancer Awareness Charity Run, which has raised the awareness of hundreds of Malaysian about lung cancer.

In her opening speech, Dr Christina Ng, the founder and president of EMPOWERED and consultant medical oncologist, shared with all participants regarding the exciting evolution of personalized lung cancer treatment based on the use of cancer biomarkers. “These advancement has allowed lung cancer patients to reach new survival milestones that were thought impossible even 5 to 10 years ago”. Dr. Ng also expressed her gratitude to all kind donors and collaborators to EMPOWERED in celebration of its 10th anniversary. “The project would not have been successful without the support of our valued collaborators, sponsors and volunteers”, she added.

EMPOWERED’s “Love Lung Love Life” Charity Run has heightened lung cancer awareness amongst Malaysians and has brought hope to many who live with lung cancer. EMPOWERED celebrates the major research and development milestones achieved in this disease as millions of lung cancer patients around the world experience remarkable survival and quality of life improvements through major breakthrough research discoveries.

Today, EMPOWERED is one of the few active cancer non-governmental organizations (NGO), still working to save the lives of many Malaysians afflicted with the disease. Celebrating its 10th anniversary, EMPOWERED is extremely blessed and grateful to its numerous donors and collaborators for their continuous support to the society’s vision and mission.

Chapter 1: Our lungs!! (Functions of Lung and What Can Damage Our Lungs)
Our lungs provide information regarding the anatomy, functions and some of the causes of lung diseases such as infection, trauma, congenital diseases and cancer.

Chapter 2: Statistics and Facts about Lung Cancer
Chapter 2 illustrates the statistics of lung cancer in Malaysia and some of the facts regarding causes and symptoms of lung cancer.

Chapter 3: Types and Stages of Lung Cancer
This chapter covers the various types of lung cancer and explains how the different stages of lung cancer affect its treatment options.

Chapter 4: Signs vs Symptoms, Signs and Symptoms of Lung Cancer
Chapter 4 enlightens people on some of the signs and symptoms for lung cancer. Most of the time there are no signs and symptoms until the disease has progressed to late stage. Therefore, early detection is vital to save life.

Chapter 5: Investigations and Treatments
Chapter 5 educates people about the recent advancement of technology in terms of diagnostic tools and treatment options. With the advancement in molecular medicine, we now can identify the different molecular mutations that trigger off the cancer and used targeted therapy to treat the disease. Moreover, this chapter also educates people on the general effects of chemotherapy, radiotherapy and the myths regarding cancer and its treatment options.

Chapter 6: Tips/Ways to Quit Smoking
Chapter 6 shares with viewers some of the effective ways in quitting smoking. It also educates the public on Champix, a quit smoking pill which acts on the neurotransmitters in the brain to reduce the urge to smoke by inhibiting the effect of nicotine in brain.

EMPOWERED, The Cancer Advocacy Society of Malaysia is a non-profit non-governmental tax-exempt organization. It was founded in 2009 by Dr. Christina Ng Van Tze to prevent cancer, save lives and eliminate suffering amongst the poor. For more information about EMPOWERED, please log onto www.empowered.org.my or follow us at https://www.facebook.com/EmpoweredMY

On the 2nd of October 2018, 1st student volunteers briefing was held at Lecture Theatre 1, Sunway College from 6pm to 8pm. The purpose of this briefing is to give insights to the student volunteers on EMPOWERED’s profile and works, and a big picture on the Lung Cancer Awareness Charity Run 2018. The briefing was started with the introduction of EMPOWERED and followed by information on the charity run including objectives, event overview and program flow.

EMPOWERED staff also briefed on the volunteer’s job scope in detail. Students were allocated to different roles and 4 group leaders were identified. After that, students were divided into small groups accordingly for further briefing. The date and time for the next briefing was scheduled before the 1st briefing ended.