I was looking forward to this and it was awesome! It was so satisfying completing a 12km bike ride, especially since it was for a good cause. As part of Estee Lauder Companies' 2015 Breast Cancer Awareness (BCA) Campaign, it organised various outreach efforts to raise awareness about breast cancer in Malaysia and raised funds for charitable beneficiaries. Last year, a total of RM600,000 was raised to support Cancer Research Malaysia (formerly known as The Cancer Research Initiatives Foundation, CARIF), The National Cancer Society Malaysia, The College of Radiology Malaysia and The Breast Cancer Welfare association so they can further strengthen efforts on medical research, education, offer of free mammograms and support for survivors.

 

This happened last night as part of Estee Lauder Malaysia's Annual Breast Cancer Awareness Campaign. This year's campaign however wasn't as inclusive at previous year's campaign. It didn't include any BCA related programmes, talks and sorts, unless it's post illumination. So the only thing I have for you guys are photos of last night illumination of the Petronas Twin Towers, Kuala Lumpur. Remember to do your self-examination! 

It's the tenth day into Pink October ladies, have you been giving yourselves regular breast self-examinations? If you have been lax about it, now is a good time to start doing it again. Early Detection Saves Lives!

I attended Xixili's Love My Life: A High Tea Party 2012 last week and after the Breast Cancer Awareness Talk by Dr Azlina (Breast Care and Surgeon at Pantai Hospital) it really does give you a jolt to be ever more diligent in your monthly breast self-examinations. 

Xixili's Love My Life Project has prevailed over the past 7 years advocating the "BSE I Have ✓ It" campaign with a primary goal to promote breast cancer awareness and to encourage women of all ages to practice monthly Breast Self-Examinations (BSE).

Dr Azlina's talk was a truly informative one starting from the very basics of explaining what cancer is, the risk factors, how to perform a BSE, myths and misconceptions, hot to prevent complications, knowing your rights as a patient with a breast problem as well as images of what breast cancer looks like. The images were really painful to look at but that is when reality hits you. I did not take photos of the images as they were of Dr Azlina's patients and would be unethical for me to show it here. But I will share with you ladies some important info on Breast Cancer Awareness.

What is cancer?

• Groups of cells with uncontrolled growth, invade and spread
• Can affect people of all ages; in Breast Cancer is usually above 40 years old but women as young as 17 have been reported. Men can also be diagnosed with breast cancer (1%)
• Caused by abnormalities in genetic materials of cells

Risk Factors for Breast Cancer
Female, Age, Genetics, Early Menarche - younger than 10 years old, Late Menopause - above 50 years old, Never Breastfed and Never Pregnant, Prolonged intake of oral contraceptives, Prolonged intake of Hormone Replacement Therapy, Smoking, Alcohol

Where to get more info?

• NGOs - PRIDE, MAKNA, BCWA
• Cancer Sepcialists
• Clinical Practice Guidelines - Management of Breast Cancer Malaysia - November 2012
• www.moh.gov.my
• www.acadmed.org.my
• Jabatan Kesihatan Awan, Kementerian Kesihatan Malaysia
• www.cancer.gov.my
• National Specialists Register in Malaysia www.nsr.org.my

Xixili also taught guests a thing or two about choosing the perfect fit bra. Did you know that 80% of women in the world are wearing the wrong size bra! Well that's what the slide said. The right fit will guarantee a boost in confidence, comfort and make you look slimmer. 

The Envy Collection is developed with a super light high performance fabric, will instantly tone up all your underarm flab, giving you a slimmer and sleeker silhouette. It also centralises  outward parting breasts. It come in black, skin, fuchsia and dark purple and retails at RM139.90.

The Elisa Collection is all about lace and leopard prints taking cue from this season's hottest print. It's made from ultra rich fabrics and comes in various styles. Pieces from this collections retails between RM56.90 - RM149.90.

The Yesenia Collection is about nature inspired glamour. Contrasting hints of olive green and opulent red stand out against the sheer jacquard fabric. Pieces from this collection retails between RM56.90 - RM189.90.

PRIDE Foundation Malaysia a charity body that aims to enhance awareness efforts and to improve the accessibility of treatment of breast cancer, was one of the leading partners of the event. PRIDE also invited two breast cancer survivors to the stage to kindly share their inspirational fight against the disease.

Remember ladies:

Early Detection Saves Lives!

Pink October

It's Breast Cancer Awareness Month! The streets of Bukint Bintang was pink last night and since 1st October, so were KL Tower and Sultan Abdul Samad Building. Pretty Cool!

Estee Lauder Companies has loads of things going on at Pavilion KL this weekend in efforts to promote breast cancer awareness. There will be complimentary breast checks, booths to help you learn more about breast cancer, fashion shows, pink merchandise for sale and you can also take a photo at the wall by simply donating RM10. There were pink macarons on sale yesterday for RM5 each, today there'll be cupcakes! Proceeds will go to the Breast Cancer Awareness Campaign 2011 Fund. So be a part of it and make a difference! ^^

For event schedule click here.

To read more about Estee Lauder Companies' previous years campaigns:

2010 - Sultan Abdul Samad Building Goes Pink!

2009 - Walk For World Pink

Be Breast Aware!

Just because it's not October, it's no reason to stop thinking about Breast Cancer Awareness. I sure hope you guys are still doing you monthly self-examination!

The latest effort from Breast Cancer Welfare Association (BCWA) sees them teaming up with GlaxoSmithKline Pharmeceutical (GSK), J.CO Donuts & Coffee and G2 to raise funds and provide access and support for breast cancer patients through the Pink Purse Campaign.

MC of the event Bernie Chan, Ms. Ranjit Kaur President of BCWA & Mr. Lothar Kunze of GlaxoSmithKline Pharmaceutical

Last Saturday I was lucky enough to see "Pink Angels" kites fill the skies! It was so cool! "Pink Angels" gathered at Kepong Metropolitan Park to show their support and give hope to breast cancer patients to encourage them in their battle against the disease. The flying of angel-shaped kites marked the culmination of of the Pink Purse Campaign.

My Pink Angel went as high as it could til the end of the string!

It was a challenge getting it up there but it was well worth it..

Who says doing something for a cause can't be fun..

The six-week Pink Purse successfully garnered RM40,000 and was channelled to BCWA's Pink Ribbon Mobile Life Saver (MURNI) in two parts. RM20,000 was handed in November 2010 as the 'A Journey of Metamorphosis" Charity Dinner for BCWA in conjunction with Islamic Fashion Festival XI. These funds were raised through the sale of Be A Pink Angel kites which were sold at RM10.00 per piece and the donation of RM2 for every delicious "Pink Angel Combo" sold by J.CO Donuts and Coffee.

The balance of RM20,000 to the BCWA

It's a lovely design don't you think :)

The J.CO Pink Angel Combo

Donuts for a cause

I had 2 of Combo 1!! Donut happy.. lol!

MURNI aims to assist, advise and support women in rural Malaysian communites to be better informed about breast cancer, seek medical help for any abnormal changes in their breast and get timely medical treatment. The modified heavy duty vehicle is not only equipped with basic disease awareness information, but sees the involvement of breast cancer survivors and qualified nurses to educate and encourage women to be breast aware. It's easier access to help with a lower cost.

Some of the programmes that were held to increase awareness and reach to breast cancer patients were:

• Pink Feathers left on car windscreens to urge people to log on to the Be A Pink Angel FB to learn more about what it signifies between 6/12-10/12/10.
• Pink kites crafted in the shape of an angel were sold at RM10  from 6/12/10-14/1/11.
• The Be A Pink Angel FB invited the public to participate in the Show Yourself Pink Angel digital photo drive by uploading a photo of themselves, someone else or and item to signify support. To date, it has 805 supporters and more than 3000 photos have been uploaded

Photo source: Be A Pink Angel FB

Worldwide, breast cancer is the most frequent cancer among women, resulting in over 1 million new cases each year, and this is the leading cause of female cancer-related death. A Malaysian woman has a 1 in 20 chance of getting breast cancer in her lifetime. Malaysian women are presenting very late for breast cancer, resulting in hinger figures at advanced stage breast cancer in as many as 30% to 40% of cases compared to the western world.

Ladies of BCWA were around to help teach self-examination

BCA pins

So what you need to do is take necessary precautions and perform regular self-checks because the later the breast cancer is detected, the harder it is for it to be treated! Be Responsible About Your Breast!

For more information on Pink Purse and Be A Pink Angel, log on to Be A Pink Angel Facebook.

It's encouraging to know that big corporations are doing they're part in raising awareness towards breast cancer. Over the period of the breast cancer awareness month in October, KAO Malaysia Sdn Bhd (KAO Malaysia) helped raise greater awareness among Malaysian women about the importance of breast cancer prevention. Their first ever ‘Think Pink Love Life’, a one-month campaign was launched with the objectives of raising funds to subsidise breast cancer treatments as well as educating women about breast cancer prevention was a success.

As part of the campaign, KAO Malaysia pledged to contribute 1% from its sales of selected pink packaging products under the Biore, Liese, Laurier and Magiclean brands to PRIDE Foundation (PRIDE). After a month’s campaign KAO has managed to raise a total of RM40,000 which was presented by CEO of KAO Malaysia, Mr Taki Hiroaki to the Chairman of PRIDE Foundation, Datin Azrene Abdullah at a special ceremony on 24/11/10. The contribution will be used to help subsidise the cost of breast cancer treatment and other expenses to deserving patients.

Mr Taki Hiroaki giving his speech

Mr Taki Hiroaki (Right) presenting a cheque to Datin Azreene Abdullah, Chairman of PRIDE

Throughout October KAO Malaysia produced and distributed specially designed Breast Self Examination (BSE) cards to educate women on how to perform breast self-examination, the importance of early detection as well as early prevention of the disease.

At the event, PRIDE also invited a breast cancer survivor to share her experience with the audience. She survived the illness because of early detection and advises all Malaysian women to go for regular check-ups and perfrom self-examination because prevention is better than cure. The heartfelt story from this brave Pink Fighter was really inspiring!

L to R- Ranbir Kaur (Breast Cancer Survivor), Dr Azlina Firzah Abdul Aziz (PRIDE), Datin Azrene Abdullah, Mr Taki Hiroaki

KAO Malaysia has also successfully organised various environmentally friendly activities as part of their Corporate Social Responsibility - river cleaning and helping abandoned children and those affected during the Tsunami in 2004. Recently Kao Japan, through it ASCIENCE participated in the Smile Asia Project with the Asia Pacific Cultural Centre of Unesco (ACCU) to promote literacy amongst women across Asia.

Pretty sure we'll be hearing loads more from KAO Malaysia! Congratulations on a successful campaign!

To find out more about KAO Malaysia go to www.kao.com/my/

"CONNECT. COMMUNICATE. CONQUER"

In the past 13 years, Estee Lauder Companies Malaysia has distributed more than 550,000 Breast Self Examination instructional cards and Pink Ribbons!!

Last night's illumination of the iconic Bangunan Sultan Abdul Samad makes it 38!! A new Guiness World Record for "Most Landmarks Illuminated for a Cause in 24 hours". Yeah thats right, The Estee Lauder Companies illuminated 38 global historic landmarks in PINK LIGHTS over a 24-hour period of time to commemorate Breast Cancer Awareness Month, dubbed "Pink October". *standing ovation*

The pink marquees were lit with pink lights

The monuments illuminated world wide have become international symbols of hope, with the goal that when a woman sees a pink landmark, she will be inspired to get a a mammogram or seek information about breast health.

This year's feat to bathe the magnificent Bangunan Sultan Abdul Samad in pink was not only inspirational but also incredible! A befitting choice as the building and Dataran Merdeka has such a significant and important history behind it.

YB Senator Datuk Maglin Dennis D'Cruz & Mr Loo Kai Nan (MD of ELC) gracing the event

The Button

KL Tower

Two great landmarks - Pink-ed!!

It is the 4th year Malaysia has participated in this global initiative! In 2007, Malaysia proudly illuminated the then newly-opened Pavilion KL. This was followed by the illumination of the KL Tower in 2008 and 2009. This year not only one but TWO landmarks will be ablaze in pink lights - Bangunan Sultan Abdul Samad for the 1st time ever and Menara  KL for the 3rd year running. Tremendous effort to create awareness!!

With Tammy of Breast Cancer Welfare Association who is also a survivor & Yen of Clinique

Yasmin Yussuf the MC for the evening

Supper prepared by KL Hilton

The mini desserts were lovely!

Dessert review: Mini Lemon Meringue Pie - Gorgeous! Crust perfect, the sourness of the lemon curd brilliant & the meringue light!

KL Hilton here I come!! :)

Breast Cancer Awareness 2010

This years call-to-action by Mrs. Evelyn H. Lauder:

"Connect. Communicate. Conquer. Prevent Breast Cancer One Woman At A Time. The Pink Ribbon. Wear It. Share It."

This year's campaign shot is provocative and inspiring!

It is a powerful message for today's modern and fastpaced culture to encourage women and men to CONNECT with everyone they know and COMMUNICATE the importance of breast health and early detection. To CONQUER this disease once and for all!

Estee Lauder Companies has launched their BCA 2010 website for you to better understand their efforts. Show your support by making a pledge. It's really simple. Do it for the women and men in your lives that you lurv. Make them aware, save lives!

http://www.elcbca.com.my/

I pledge to be more dilligent in my self examination and to make my family and friends loads more aware of the importance of prevention!

Much Lurv to Estee Lauder Companies Malaysia for making a difference over 14 years!!

Estee Lauder Companies will be organising various events, talks and roadshows during Pink October. For more information on this just click on the link above or my previous post on BCA.