On Wednesday 10 November Datin Etty and Annabel met up with Regina (physiotherapist) and the 3 wonderful nurses, Sister Normah Bt Arshah, Staff Nurse Mun Yoke Lin and Staff Nurse Tan Guat Ee who attended the recent Breast Care Nurses Course in Kuala Lumpur. Regina had organised for 9 breast cancer survivors to come to the Physiotherapy Centre in the hospital to be fitted for breast prostheses and mastectomy bras which we had arranged for Pride to fund.

These women were very generous and allowed the nurses observe how we fitted them.

None of them realized how important it is to be fitted by experienced fitters – not only do you have to look balanced but you also have to be comfortable and feel confident. If the bra does not fit properly, then the prosthesis definitely will not be comfortable.

The nurses were so enthusiastic about everything they learnt on the course, and together with Regina have already started up a Temerloh Support Group which we hope to meet with on our next visit. We hope that will be soon as we had such a great day at Hospital Sultan Hj Ahmad Shah – well done nurses!

On the Road to Learning and Serving

Over the last almost five months, Etty has met up with breast doctors and administrators at various major hospitals and officials of  relevant NGOs such as the National Cancer Society Malaysia, PRIDE, MAKNA and the Breast Cancer Welfare Association to help her understand breast cancer and how best to serve its survivors. She and the rest of the team have done a fair bit of outstation traveling: to the IIUM Breast Centre in Kuantan, twice to the Seremban Hospital, the first time along with Dee who gave a talk and where they fitted over 40 survivors, to Penang where they met with the CEO and Nursing Administrator of Loh Guan Lye Specialists Centre, the Consultant Breast Surgeon at Adventist Hospital and head of the Breast Cancer Support Group at Mount Miriam Hospital, and to the Segamat Breast Cancer Support Society.

For her recent planned, though very brief, visit to Malaysia, Dee had scheduled a talk to a group of doctors, nurses and other hospital personnel as well as survivors at Malacca Hospital. Etty and Annabel traveled down with her. With very encouraging response to the talk, a follow-up trip will be arranged for the near future.

The visit to Segamat was an especially heart-warming and enriching experience that deserves to be shared.  To see a group of survivors bonding through cooking and chatting, sharing food and laughter, singing and dancing without a trace of prejudice or self-pity was a humbling lesson in fostering racial harmony and overcoming adversity that we could all learn from.  The support group, whose stewardship has just passed from Madam Loh to Maria Kinson, has been extremely proactive, helping members pick up skills from English language to handicrafts not just to keep them occupied but gainfully so.  In a rather sleepy town like Segamat,  the Society’s clubhouse is undoubtedly one of the most ‘happening’  and happy places.

PRIDE without Prejudice

What warrants a special mention is the enormous contribution made by PRIDE to needy breast cancer survivors since the start of this year alone. The Foundation approved over 90 applicants for prostheses and bras, centred in Penang, Kuantan, Kota Baru and Kuala Lumpur.  The handing over to the Penang recipients was done on May 19th by Puan Nasirah Nasir, the Adviser to PRIDE, and those residing in or around Segamat have, also, been handed their “care” packages.

Whilst we are truly grateful to PRIDE and to organisations like MAKNA for working with us in meeting the needs of breast cancer survivors, we must also bring to attention that there are many, many other deserving women who are queing up for sponsorship. The Seremban Hospital, for instance, has an extensive list of cases and the Segamat Support Group has compiled a number. We sincerely hope that there are more charitable individuals and groups who will channel their donations to the relevant bodies to help us help them.

You are cordially invited to attend the cervical-cancer-awareness-talk in knowing more about the 2nd deadliest cancer amongst Malaysian women and options to prevent it.

Date   : 25th April 2009

time   : 1.30pm - 3.30pm

Venue : 8th Floor, Wisma Perintis, Kuala Lumpur Sports Medicine Centre

Guest Speaker: Dr Surinder Kaur, Primary Care & Family Physician

Complimentary: Hi Tea Buffet & Door Gift

Special Vaccination Package at RM900.00/course (Normal Price: RM1200.00/course).  Limited Period Only

Kindly RSVP at 03-20961033 by 17th April 2009

You are cordially invited to join Prince Court’s upcoming event - “Tackling Obesity-Healthy Weight, Healthy Lives”

Event name   : Tackling Obesity – Healthy Weight, Healthy Lives

Date             : Saturday, 4^th April 2009

Time : 8.30 am -12.30 pm (Public forum)

Activities       : Talks from the experts on issues & treatment about obesity

: Free BMI, Glucose, Lipid & Body Fat Analysis

*FREE admission. Refreshments will be provided.

Kindly RSVP by Wednesday, 1st April 2009.

- 03-2160 0000 ext. 2882 (Vanitha) or 1115 (Aznida)

- aznida.azhar@princecourt.com

- vanitha.manickam@princecourt.com

- bizdevt@princecourt.com

GOOD NEWS!! We are having 20% Discount Off all Mastectomy Bras from 1st April - 30th April 2009.  Discount applies to stock in our Ampang store and SJMC store only and no Special Orders.  So be in fast to get your favourite style and size!!

BERITA BAIK!! Kami mempunyai 20% Diskaun bagi semua Mastectomy Bras bermula dari 1st April - 30th April 2009.  Diskaun adalah untuk stok yang ada di Ampang store dan SJMC store sahaja, bukan untuk Pesanan Khas.  Datanglah cepat untuk mendapatkan stail kegemaran serta saiz anda!!

PRIDE is organising an empowerment_workshop on 7^th March, 2009 @ Piccolohotel, Jalan Bukit Bintang, KL from 9.30a.m. to 5.00p.m.

The BreastCareSite.com has an excellent article that every woman diagnosed with breast cancer and her partner should read. Sex is so rarely discussed as it is often very uncomfortable for partners and the medical professionals caring for them but if issues arise do ask for help as relationships are very precious.

PRIDE is looking for committed volunteers from different backgrounds.

• Office support..data entry
• Speakers Bureau..become a speaker and share your testimony
• General support…making pink ribbons, distributing brochures, explaining breast self examination
• Crew support…setting up and manning booths

If you have time and talent and are interested please contact PRIDE at info@pride.org.my or telephone 0321449932

I have volunteered with them many times and they are a great team to work with at events.

There will be talks from the experts about the Power of Cosmetology, demonstration session on Botox/Dysport and Fillers as well as Free Skin Analysis for participants. Click here for details

As the seats are limited, kindly RSVP by 14th January 2009 (Wednesday)

* Free Admission. Refreshments will be served.

For enquiries and RSVP: Kindly contact 03-2160 0000 ext 2150 or 2151 or email me at aznida.azhar@princecourt.com

Amanita wishes you a happy and safe Christmas with your families and Peace and Harmony for 2009 despite the gloomy forecast.

We are entering our 5th year and as I reflect on our achievements for women with breast cancer in Malaysia, I realise we still have a long way to go.

I hope that 2009 will bring government funding for breast prostheses with no criteria attached.

I hope that free screening mammograms will become a reality and that women diagnosed with breast cancer will be given full access to information to make informed choices.

Amanita will continue to grow and serve your needs and we will continue to advocate on your behalf.

Our very best wishes

Dee, Annabel, Asha, Juliette, Esther, Jingle, Alison and Jasfar