KUALA LUMPUR: The Raja Permaisuri of Perak Tuanku Zara Salim graced the Relay For Life (RFL) Malaysia 2024 event, held at Taman Tasik Titiwangsa this morning.
The annual event, organised by the National Cancer Society of Malaysia (NCSM), returned this year with over 500 participants, including cancer survivors.
NCSM managing director Professor Dr M. Murallitharan and president Datuk Dr S. Saunthari were also present.
Murallitharan said that this year's RFL would be held in three locations, starting at Taman Tasik Titiwangsa on Nov 16 and 17, followed by Manipal University College, Melaka (Nov 30 and Dec 1) and concluding at Padang Polo, Ipoh, Perak (Dec 7 and 8).
He said the programme aims to inspire cancer patients and survivors to keep fighting while raising public awareness about cancer.
"This event has become a symbol of hope and resilience in the fight against cancer," he said in his welcoming speech.
Murallitharan also shared the success of the national HPV Immunisation Programme 'Leaving No One Behind' launched earlier this year, which saw over 220,000 people nationwide receiving HPV protection, achieving 75 per cent of the target of 300,000.
Regarding the Free Mammogram Programme in collaboration with Etiqa, he said that NCSM has assisted 27,500 low-income women in Peninsular Malaysia in receiving free mammograms since its introduction five years ago.