KUALA LUMPUR, April 8 — This year’s edition of Sepeda Amal Borneo (SAB) will see 20 cyclists ride more than 800km from Miri to Kuching from July 28 to August 3 to raise RM500,000 for Program ROSE (Removing Obstacles to cervical ScrEening).
Sepeda Amal Borneo is an annual charity cycling event organised by the Malaysian Medical Association (MMA).
Funds raised through online donations will be used for awareness and cervical screening programmes conducted under Program ROSE in Kapit, Miri, Bintulu, Kuching, and Puncak Borneo.
Screenings have already begun earlier in March this year among underprivileged communities in Kapit, while more screenings are being planned during the months leading up to the cycling event.
Cervical cancer is the third most common female cancer in Malaysia, with its highest incidence recorded in Sarawak.
“We are very grateful and honoured to be given an opportunity again to collaborate with MMA and Sepeda Amal Borneo this year to raise awareness about Program ROSE HPV screenings in Sarawak,” said Prof Dr Woo Yin Ling, founding trustee of ROSE Foundation.
“The continuation of our partnership provides an even greater reach to women communities across Sarawak with the unified aim to accelerate cervical cancer elimination across Malaysia.
“The elimination journey requires an all-society approach across all sectors. MMA’s belief and support to Program ROSE is a much-needed reinforcement of joining hands together to make Sarawak and indeed Malaysia a cervical cancer free society in the near future,” she added.
“The MMA is delighted to once again work with ROSE Foundation on such a meaningful effort. Awareness on cervical cancer can be life-saving as cervical cancer is preventable and can be effectively treated when detected early,” said MMA president Dr Azizan Abdul Aziz.
However, she stressed that the most important step is for women to be screened early. “Only through early screening can we achieve the best outcomes.
“Together with ROSE Foundation, we are focusing our efforts in Sarawak this time, as it is the state with the highest incidence of cervical cancer, at 9.6 cases per 100,000 women, according to the Malaysian National Cancer Registry Report.
“These rates are concerning hence more effort is needed to increase awareness and HPV screening in the state.
“We hope the public as well as corporate organisations will show their support for the Sepeda Amal Borneo 2024 initiative as we firmly believe that together we can eliminate cervical cancer in the state and in the country,” she added.
According to ROSE Foundation, 1,067 women were screened in 33 locations in Sarawak in June and July during last year’s Sepeda Amal Borneo event.
From the 1,067 women who were screened, 80 (7.5 per cent) were tested positive for HPV. Of the women who tested positive, 70 (88 per cent) have either completed or scheduled their follow-up at a local government hospital.
To date, Program ROSE has screened over 27,000 women throughout Malaysia. Of this total, approximately 1,500 women were tested HPV positive, and 88 per cent of them were successfully linked to care via Program ROSE.
Those who wish to contribute by making a one-off donation can do so via online transfer. You may either contribute by participating as a cyclist or making a one-off donation. Every little bit is a step towards eliminating cervical cancer in Malaysia.
All donations or financial sponsorship are tax deductible and are to be transferred to the account below:
- Bank Name: UOB
- Bank Account Name: MMA Foundation Donation – 1
- Bank Account Number: 240 305 798 5
- UOB Swift Code: UOVBMYKL (international donations)
- UOB Bank Branch Address: UOBM Kepong, 82, Ground Floor, Jalan 3/62D, Medan Putra Business Centre, Sri Manjalara off Jalan Damansara, 52200 Kuala Lumpur
- Transaction details: SAB2024 Donation
Please provide proof of transaction and the following details to [email protected] for tax-exemptible receipts:
- Name
- IC number
- Phone number
- Postal address
- Company name, registration number, and business address (for companies)
All donations and financial sponsorship are tax deductible. All funds collected will be channeled towards the ROSE Foundation after covering operating costs.
For more information on Sepeda Amal Borneo, kindly visit our website.
