Breast Cancer Patients and Survivors to Scale Mount Kinabalu this June

PETALING JAYA, Malaysia - April 6, 2015 - PRLog -- Malaysian breast cancer patients and survivors will be scaling Mount Kinabalu this June as part of an empowerment program organised by PRIDE Foundation in conjunction with its tenth-year anniversary.

The “Climb With PRIDE Kinabalu 2” will see 12 breast cancer patients and survivors climbing Malaysia’s highest peak in a five-day, four-night expedition beginning from 13^th till 17^th June 2015.

This will be the second trip by PRIDE to scale Mount Kinabalu as they have previously conquered it in 2010.

Since February, PRIDE has also been organising weekly physical training sessions on every Wednesdays and Sundays, as preparation for the Climb, as well as to build stamina and endurance.

Called the “Get Fit With PRIDE” program, 11 training sessions have been conducted so far at various locations around the Klang Valley, including Bukit Kiara, Bukit Gasing and Batu Caves.

While most training sessions emphasised on building cardio, stamina and resistance, last Saturday’s Tracking & Mountaineering Outing cum Picnic at Kem Lolo in Ulu Langat provided a welcome relief for some serious fun and personal bonding.

Thanks to their earlier training sessions, all 25 participants, many of whom were breast cancer survivors, were able to complete the three-hour track with little or no difficulty.

According to PRIDE’s Chairman Dato’ Azrene Abdullah, the Climb itself mirrors the daily realities of life for all breast cancer patients and survivors.

“Symbolically, the act of scaling the mountain is similar to the struggle of a patient in overcoming the breast cancer battle,” said Dato’ Azrene. “This marks yet another significant milestone in extending PRIDE’s message that life doesn’t have to stop with breast cancer - there is life after breast cancer!”

Four more similar outings have been scheduled in the run up to the actual Climb, including at Gunung Datuk in Rembau, Negeri Sembilan on 12 April; Bukit Kutu in Kuala Kubu Baru on 26 April; at Gunung Ledang in Segamat from May 30 – 31, 2015 and at Gunung Nuang, Hulu Langat from 6 to 7 June 2015.

Although the task seemed impossible at first, the team is fully committed on conquering Mount Kinabalu knowing full well they have conquered a much bigger hurdle, that is the deadly disease breast cancer.

“It starts as an uphill path that is monumental, and yet, with positive thinking, faith, focus and resilience, we slowly overcome our fears - and the reward of the view from the top makes it all worthwhile,” recalled Dato’ Azrene.

“As breast cancer survivors, we are challenging ourselves to take bigger steps and to reach out with a louder voice from a higher plain,” she added.

Corporations who would like to sponsor breast cancer survivors for the Climb can contact PRIDE’s Senior Project Manager Ms Razina Abdul Razak at +603-7960 0366 or log on to http://www.pride.org.my.

- ends -

About PRIDE Foundation

PRIDE Foundation (Pink Ribbon Deeds) is a charity body that aims to enhance awareness efforts and improve accessibility to treatment and care of breast cancer at all levels of society.

PRIDE was incorporated on 24 May 2006 under the Companies Act (1965) as a non-profit company limited by guarantee and governed by a Board of Trustees. The incorporation is a tribute to the late Datin Paduka Seri Endon Mahmood’s courage, resilience and strength in her fight against breast cancer.

PRIDE is committed to enhance awareness efforts and improve accessibility to treatment and care of breast cancer at all levels of society.

For more info, log on to www.pride.org.my.

About Get Fit With PRIDE

Get Fit With PRIDE is a sub-project of Climb With PRIDE Kinabalu 2 under the Take PRIDE In Your Life Series to commemorate PRIDE’s 10th Year Anniversary.

It is an empowerment programme targeted for breast cancer patients or survivors and their family members, caregivers or friends. There will be five (5) healthy living sessions focusing on hiking, mountaineering skills and dietary control.

This program will emphasize the trials, tribulations and challenges faced by a patient who needs to struggle with their own denial, fears and emotions. This project is designed to develop confidence, build strength and give hope that ‘There is Life After Breast Cancer’.

This programme seeks not only to restore patient’s confidence and self-esteem, but also to prove that they still can lead a fulfilling life even with breast cancer.

About Climb With PRIDE Kinabalu II

Climb with PRIDE Kinabalu II 2015 is an empowerment programme targeted for breast cancer patients or survivors with their family members, care givers and friends.  It is scheduled from 13 June till 17 June 2015.

Symbolically, scaling a mountain is similar to the struggle of a patient fighting breast cancer. This programme seeks to restore their confidence and self-esteem and prove that they still can lead a fulfilling life. To inspire others, PRIDE aims the training and climb to be documented.

PRIDE intends to enhance community awareness and support for breast cancer causes through the publicity generated by the Climb. With statistics showing 1 out of 19 women in Malaysia may get breast cancer in her lifetime, PRIDE urges every woman to do regular breast self examinations and screenings.

For more info, kindly contact:

Ms Razina Abdul Razak

Senior Project Manager, PRIDE Foundation

T: +603-7960 0366 | F: +603-7960 1366 | W: www.pride.org.my | E: info@pride.org.my

Follow us on:

YouTube        : http://www.youtube.com/user/pridemalaysia

Pinterest        : http://www.pinterest.com/pridemalaysia/

Instagram      : http://instagram.com/pridefoundation