The Malaysian AIDS Foundation (MAF)’s signature fundraiser, the Red Ribbon Gala returns on Dec 10, 2021 after a one-year hiatus due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
The event will be held at Hilton Kuala Lumpur, the event’s venue sponsor, amidst stringent COVID-19 health and safety protocols.
The gala dinner will present the Sunway-MAF Tun Dr Siti Hasmah Award that honours unsung heroes who have demonstrated exceptional leadership and resilience in their work to support communities impacted by HIV-AIDS.
Sunway Group, MAF’s Official Sustainability Partner, is the event’s main partner.
MAF chairman Professor Dato’ Dr Adeeba Kamarulzaman said proceeds from the Red Ribbon Gala this year would go towards MAF’s Medicine Assistance Scheme, an initiative that helps underprivileged Malaysians living with HIV gaining access to lifesaving antiretroviral treatment.
“With 40 years of history, science and progress, ending AIDS is no longer a dream but a reality, in no small part due to the advent of antiretroviral treatment, which has enabled people living with HIV to effectively lead normal lives and prevent transmission,” she said at a press conference held virtually using Zoom on Dec 8.
Dr Adeeba said the socioeconomic disparities negatively impact access to healthcare and treatment and continuing to put the underserved, underprivileged and marginalised at risk.
She added, “Efforts and resources to place access to antiretroviral treatment at the heart of our ending AIDS mission are critical. As such, we are renewing our commitment to ensuring that these lifesaving medicines will reach as many Malaysians living with HIV as possible.”
Sunway Group founder and chairman Tan Sri Dr. Jeffrey Cheah AO said the Covid-19 pandemic has led people living with HIV exposed to even higher risks limiting their access to HIV prevention services, as well as clinical care and treatment.
“Sunway is proud to be a long-term partner in supporting MAF’s outstanding efforts to end HIV-AIDS and support for underprivileged communities. We at Sunway are committed to advancing the sustainable development agenda and we pledge to continue helping the communities we serve and stand by them in these critical times,” he said.
The judging process of the Sunway-MAF Tun Dr Siti Hasmah Award is independently audited by RSM Malaysia.
Since its inception in 1996, the Tun Dr Siti Hasmah Award has been bestowed to 10 recipients. The coveted award comes with a cash prize worth RM 20,000, a certificate of excellence and a specially commissioned sculptural trophy.
