1
WHEN Norhasnah Hashim — or Amy, as
her friends fondly call her — was diagnosed
with stage three breast cancer in 2013, she
felt scared and alone.
But at UCSI University's (UCSI) Light the
Life charity run, she was as cheerful and
upbeat as can be.
This was because she had a litde help
from her friends — cancer survivors from
support groups like National Cancer Society
Malaysia (NCSM), Breast Cancer Welfare
Association (BCWA) and Pride Foundation
Malaysia (PFM) — whose support helped
her keep her head up even when she had
to go for major surgery five times in two
years, and when she was recently told her
cancer had advanced to stage four.
"It's a very difficult journey so it's
important to stay positive," said Norhasnah,
who just had a chemotherapy session last
week.
"I draw strength from these support
groups and the friends I've made. They help
me feel my illness is not a death sentence
and that I can still live life to the fullest."
Together with fellow cancer survivors,
Norhasnah started her day by completing
UCSI's 6K charity run, a fundraising event
which brought together over 400 runners
to raise cancer awareness.
"About 100,000 Malaysians are
diagnosed with cancer each year and the
road to recovery is rough for both patients
and their loved ones," UCSI's deputy vice­ chemotherapy. Awareness programmes
chancellor of student affairs and alumni such as Light the Life are immensely
Assoc Prof Dr Yeong Siew Wei said.
helpful."
"While we cannot erase the pain and
Having met a cancer patient as young as
hardship caused by this disease, we hope 21 years old, Phua said no one should think
funds raised by Light the Life can help ease they are safe.
some of the financial burden."
"In Malaysia, breast cancer affects one
Organised by UCSI's Facilitation in every 20 women. It's great the students
Programme, Light the Life also saw 20 here are actively participating as it's never
volunteers — most of whom were UCSI too early to be aware of the symptoms and
students — shave their heads to support make regular check­ups a practice," she
the cause.
"Their courageous act will continue
spreading awareness even after this event
is over," Yeong said.
Light the Life also featured a cancer
info zone, food stalls, a photo booth and
performances by Passion Danz Studio and
UCSI students including alumnus Ryan Cho
Yik Ming, a top 20 finalist in the ongoing
said.
A cancer survivor herself, Phua is now
fully recovered, but she remembers the
early days when she was scared and
confused.
"When you're first diagnosed, you will
be inundated with advice from family
members and friends," she said.
"They mean well but if they aren't cancer
patients, they don't have the first­hand
The event raised RM34,000 with the
experience. BCWA was my lifeline then
funds going to the National Cancer Council — whenever I needed advice or support, I
Malaysia, Sarawak Children's Cancer would call them."
Society (SCCS), Empowered ­ The Cancer
Phua is now on the other end of the
Advocacy Society of Malaysia, Malaysia phone providing counselling and support
2016 Astro Star Quest
Anti­Cancer Association (Maca), Max
Family Society Malaysia (MF) as well as
NCSM, BCWA and PFM.
to patients such as Norhasnah.
"When people hear the C­word, they
think it's over," Norhasnah said.
A mock cheque was presented by Yeong
"I thought so myself, but it's not true. I'm
to these beneficiaries, represented by PFM still alive, I feel good and I can still have
chief executive officer Azuwa Abdullah, fun like finishing this run with my friends."
SCCS immediate past president Rodney
Sponsored by Bridgestone Tyre Sales,
Wong, Maca chairman Tham Man Kit, and Light the Life is the fifth and final
MF president Dr Abd Razak Muhamad, initiative in UCSI's Spread the Love
among others.
Community Engagement Project 2016.
Such donations help keep these non­ Held in conjunction with the university's
profits alive so that they may continue 30th anniversary celebrations, the year­
educating the public and providing support long project has benefited 30 non­profit
and advice to patients like Norhasnah.
organisations. It has raised funds for animal
"Many people do not go for regular shelters, orphanages and underprivileged
medical check­ups, maybe because they're communities, including refugees, as well as
afraid of bad news," BCWA committee promoted awareness on environment and
member Lilian Phua said.
"But early detection is important, where
treatment might not even have to involve
health issues.
The project has raised RM61,000.