OCTOBER is the month that women in Malaysia should pay utmost attention to because it is a time when everyone around the world pause and take notice of breast cancer.
Not only shall we remember those who have suffered from the disease but Pink October is the month to further create awareness regarding all issues relating to breast cancer.
According to a report released by National Cancer Registry (NCR) recently, nearly 70,000 new cases are reported in a period of two years which showed how breast cancer continues to remain the biggest threat to women today.
In hope to shed more light onto this illness, as well as to collect funds to be channelled to the breast cancer cause, Bill Keith, Malaysia's top designer with the support of Great Eastern Life Assurance (M) Berhad have designed 3,000 exclusive recycling bags as part of the Gleneagles Hospital Kuala Lumpur's Pink October fund-raising campaign.
Although these bags are designer bags, they are sold at only RM25 each as the campaign aims to raise RM75,000 which will be channelled to the Breast Cancer Welfare Association Malaysia (BCWA).
"Gleneagles Kuala Lumpur is excited to kick off the Pink October celebrations with the launch of 'Fundraising with Style' breast cancer campaign," said Gleneagles Kuala Lumpur chief executive officer Amir Firdaus Abdullah during the campaign launch recently.
Amir said the campaign aims to engage the public to support the plight of breast cancer patients, in the hopes that significant funds are channelled to help save lives.
"Through campaigns such as these, we want to spread the message that early detection saves lives, and it is not only the responsibility of the women to take early detection steps. Men should also play an equally important role and should encourage their partners to conduct breast self- examination (BSE) and undergo yearly breast ultrasound or mammography check," he said.
"We sincerely hope that the public will come forward and support our pledge to support more women with breast cancer," said Bill Keith who designed The Pink Couture bag which measures 48.3cm x 35.6cm in size and is made from recyclable canvas material.
"We are very happy to see organisations such as Gleneagles Kuala Lumpur and Great Eastern coming forward to support the plight of women with breast cancer through the sale of this designer shopping bag," said BCWA president, Ranjit Kaur.
She added that 10 per cent from the amount raised from the sale will be channelled to support women who require breast prosthesis.
The Pink Couture bag was unveiled to the public by Malaysian shoe extraordinaire, Professor Datuk Jimmy Choo during the campaign launch.
Also present were Deputy Minister of Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerism Datuk Rohani Abdul Karim, owner of Rafflesia Pearl Centre Winnie Sin and Gleneagles Hospital Kuala Lumpur breast cancer surgeon/consultant Datuk Dr Suseela Nair.
Last year, in a similar campaign, the private healthcare provider Gleneagles Kuala Lumpur had raised RM50,000 through the sale of exclusively designed pink scarves by internationally renowned fashion designer, Zang Toi.
