Relay for Life

The 3rd Relay for Life KL 2009 was yet another success which I was part of it. I too spent the night at the MSN Training Stadium Bukit Jalil, in fact a whole 16 hours at the stadium! . It was indeed a new experience thing for me as I am not an outdoor person..sleeping under the tent, and staying awake until 3 am were all so new to me. Initially I was doubtful whether I was going to be sleepy and exhausted but surprisingly I felt alright after the Relay.

I did not take any pictures this year as I was busy with getting myself ready for the international costume parade by the survivors. About 30 of us represented the various countries in the world and I adorned a black costume representing Portugal. We all took part in the parade as one of the first batch of survivors to start the survivors lap. My family took some photos though, will post it once I have got it.

Datuk Zuraidah Atan honorary adviser to NCSM delivered the welcome address followed by the ribbon cutting ceremony by President of NCSM, Anthony J. Skelcy, Datin Dr Juliet Dharmalingam and by a young cancer survivor.

The 16-hour event was filled with engaging activities for the young and old. There were competitions, quizzes, hunts and my photograph was taking so many times by the children as they needed signatures and photos of survivors for the hunt. Local singers, gymnasts, dancers all participate to make the night lively and exciting. Cancer survivors performed the joget and bellydancing, the audience were truly entertained. My mother joined the Survivors’ Lap with another friend who came with us from Klang.This time around I witnessed the symbolic and significant Luminaria Ceremony. I bought 2 bags for my 2 little nephews and they drew some drawings with their little hands… but they did not wait for the lighting up of the candles in the luminaria bags. The whole track was filled with these bags some so colorful and creatively decorated.

This year the Luminaria ceremony was started with the first candles being light up by family members of Ann Tan (who recently lost her battle to cancer and who contributed so much to the success of the Relay). Next the a very young cancer survivor gave a speech with was really emotional and followed by lighting of candles indicating HOPE.

I am a member of the PINK UNITY, a support organisation for women with cancer, established under the auspices of the National Cancer Society Malaysia. The President Datin Azura Bahaman had a tent for all of us on the stadium field. We survivors had some activities on our own at the tent which included cut of birthday cake for all whose birthday was on May and lucky draws which I got the first lucky draw gift. Some of us members of PINK UNIITY who stayed back had a sharing session at 2am…a what a session it was. I was half sleepy when it came to my turn and I actually slept off half way through the session..ha..ha!

Sunday morning started with Aerobics, Qi Gong ( by survivors), the chicken dance and all the college and school going young people were all so active even some of the survivors were so active, i…just observed and lightly followed the exercises…ha..ha!

The NCSM, sponsors, volunteers and survivors’ efforts and contribution made this year’s Relay For Life KL 2009 yet another fantastic event in celebrating survivorship and creating cancer awareness.