The Breast Cancer Resource Centre (BCRC) team at Universiti Malaya Medical Centre (UMMC), in partnership with the Candy Girls Support Group held their “Shine for Pink” Charity Gala Dinner at Komune Living & Wellness in Cheras, Kuala Lumpur on Nov 25, 2023.
The fund-raising dinner was organized to raise funds for the UMMC B40 Diagnostic Fund; and to celebrate and support breast cancer survivors.
The memorable evening was filled with unity and celebration. Shine for Pink was not merely an event, it was an inspiring celebration of compassion, and a touch of cultural grace with singing and traditional dance performances by breast cancer survivors from the Candy Girls Support Group, drawing applause from the audience.
The evening commenced with their rendition of Mariah Carey’s “Hero,” setting the tone for the night. The Candy Girls also showcased dynamic and graceful dance performances. Their presence served as a beacon of inspiration, reinforcing the organisation’s commitment to those who continue to battle this formidable adversary.
The fund-raising event also included a fashion show held in collaboration with the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture, and featured models from Shine Angels and Mrs. Asia Worldwide.
The models elegantly showcased the kebaya traditional wear which were designed by Pakar Busana Melayu Tanahair and Mrs. Asia Worldwide. The kebaya showcase is aligned with the organizers efforts to garner Unesco’s recognition of kebaya as a world heritage.
The occasion was graced by the presence of the Lion-Parkson Foundation patron and chairman Puan Sri Chelsia Chan Chau Ha, who has provided her unwavering support since 2019.
Others who were present included Professor Dr. Nazirah Hasnan, director of UMMC, a driving force behind the mission to bridge the gap in breast cancer care, as well as the UMMC Pink October 2023 Ambassadors Dato’ Sri Shyleena Faridah Hope, founder of Mrs Asia Worldwide; and Chiong Pei-Pei, chief brand officer of eShoplive.
Also in attendance was Pink October 2023 advisor Professor Dr. See Mee Hoong, a consultant breast surgeon and a driving force in breast cancer research and fundraising at UMMC; YHs Dato’ Mustaffa Idrus, chairman of Pertubuhan Aktivis Masyarakat Melayu Malaysia; Professor Datin Paduka Dr. Teoh Soo-Hwang, founding chief executive of Cancer Research Malaysia and Captain Cheah Eng Eng, senior vice president of Keyfields Offshore Sdn Bhd.
Tourism Malaysia representatives Azizul Raheem Awalludin, senior assistant director of Domestic & Events Division; Dr. Khairul Helmi A Manap, senior assistant director of corporate management; Azmi Abdullah and Nazasheera also attended the dinner on behalf of Malaysia Tourism Promotion Board director-general Dato’ Dr Ammar Abd Ghapar.
The Pink Gala Dinner serves as a powerful symbol of unity in the fight against breast cancer. As a one-stop centre for breast cancer care, UMMC Breast Cancer Resource Centre’s team receives patients nationwide, with a majority of them coming from the B40 economic group who are unable to finance their diagnostic investigations and lose the opportunity for an early diagnosis. Patients are forced to delay treatment, which reduces their overall survival rate.
100% of proceeds from the charity dinner will go towards the B40 Doagnostic Fund (under PPUMCare), which is dedicated to providing financial support to underprivileged patients for their diagnostic investigations of breast cancer.
