Blue Cap Relay Run returns after five years to raise awareness about prostate cancer in Malaysia
KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 4 — Run enthusiasts and health junkies take note.
The Blue Cap Relay Run is returning after a five-year hiatus to create awareness about prostate cancer among the general public.
The fund-raising nine-kilometre run, to be held for the third time, will take place on September 24 at the Universiti Malaya campus.
This event is in conjunction with the Beat Prostate Cancer Campaign 2020-2024 launched by the Urological Cancer Trust Fund, Universiti Malaya.
The route for this year will run across scenic routes around the university campus.
Proceeds raised from the run will be channelled to the Urological Cancer Trust Fund for prostate cancer initiatives.
The initiative is part of a five-year campaign launched in 2020 by veteran banker and prostate cancer survivor Tan Sri Nazir Razak to create awareness about the disease.
It also aims to lower the number of newly-diagnosed advanced prostate cancer from the current 60 per cent to 30 per cent by 2025.
According to senior consultant urologist and the fund board member Prof Dr Ong Teng Aik, close to 60 per cent of newly diagnosed prostate cancers are at Stage 4.
“The survival rate is very low when the patient comes to us at the final stage, hence, it’s important to promote early detection by creating more awareness about the disease.
“Prostate cancer, if caught early, is easily treatable with a high survival rate.”
Dr Ong said the run is one of the fund’s initiatives to engage with the public and raise awareness about the disease.
“The fund raised from the run will also be used for our future programmes.”
The relay, expected to attract over 1,000 participants, will be done in teams of three where each participant is required to run three kilometres before passing the baton to another team member.
Several prominent figures including former national squash player Datuk Nicol David and comedian Harith Iskandar are expected to join the run.
Dr Ong said the campaign efforts are divided into three categories to achieve its goals.
“We engage with the media to create awareness about the disease.
“We also do ground activations like the run to engage with the public and promote the importance of early detection for prostate cancer.”
Lastly, Dr Ong said part of the funds are spent on online learning modules for doctors and healthcare practitioners to educate them about prostate cancer screening and early detection.
“We have noticed that not many people support regular screening, hence, we want to ensure the healthcare professionals are trained to combat such misconceptions.”
The run will take place on September 24 at 7.30am.
The participation fee for the general public, cancer survivors and family is RM150, RM90 and RM100 respectively.
Registration can be done online over here.
Malay Mail is media partner for the run.
