THE Penang Thalassaemia Society (PTS) will be organising a fundraising walk at the Taman Bandaraya (Youth Park) on July 19 at 7am.
Organising chairman, Danneil Soo said they aimed to raise RM40,000 from the event which is also to help raise public awareness.
“Let’s Walk For Thalassaemia 2020 will be a fundraising campaign by the society to continue its objectives in caring, treating and improving the welfare of children with thalassaemia in Penang,” Soo said at a press conference at the Caring Society Complex in George Town yesterday.
“Part of the fund will be used to organise medical camps and workshops for both medical staff and thalassaemics.
“The 5km walk, which is estimated to last two hours, will also take the participants through a captivating and scenic stroll in and around the Botanical Gardens. This will also help to promote a healthy lifestyle.”
Soo added that in addition to the walk, there would be a talk and exhibition on thalassaemia, health checkups and lucky draw.
Founded in 1987, the Penang Thalassaemia Society now has 438 members of which 382 are thalassaemics.
Thalassaemia is an inherited blood disorder caused when the body does not make enough of a protein called haemoglobin, an important part of the red blood cells. Because of that, regular blood transfusion is needed to maintain haemoglobin levels in the blood.
The carrier rate in Malaysia is around 5% which means one in 20 persons is a carrier.
Also present at the press conference were MBPP’s Community Services Department director Rashidah Jalaludin, Penang Hospital pediatrician, haematologist and oncologist Dr Yeoh Seah Leng and PTS president Noorasyikin Md Saad.
Registration at RM30 per entrant is now open and can be done at https://howei.com or http://jomrun.com. Participation is limited to 1,000 entries. Entries closes on June 30.
For further enquiries, contact Lily Boey at 04-2272133.
Story by Danny Ooi
Pix by Law Suun Ting