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OCBC links arms with Lions Club to provide RM60,000 worth of essential equipment to support patients undergoing cancer treatment

OCBC links arms with Lions Club to provide RM60,000 worth of essential equipment to support patients undergoing cancer treatment

  • 07 Sep 2020

A total of 3,300 patients undergoing treatment through the National Cancer Society of Malaysia will benefit from RM60,000 worth of equipment and essential materials from OCBC Bank (Malaysia) Berhad (OCBC Bank) to further protect them from Covid19.

OCBC Bank, working with Lions Club of Kuala Lumpur Seri Petaling (Lions Club International District 308 B1), is designating the funds for a new mobile mammography screening machine worth RM35,000 and protective supplies including sanitisers, face masks, hand gloves, Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) as well as milk powder for the child patients.

According to Lions Club of Kuala Lumpur Seri Petaling President Ms Joanne Cheong Gaik Hoon, the collaborative effort with OCBC Bank was much needed to help the patients and medical personnel and ultimately all those seeking treatment through the National Cancer Society of Malaysia as well.

Presenting Supplies

OCBC Bank Kajang branch Senior Manager Ms Phoebe Ng Yoke Chee (standing, fourth from left; quoted in the press release) along with OCBC staff and Lions Club members presenting the supplies to Dr. Saunthari Somasundaram President of National Cancer Society (standing, fourth from right).

“We are grateful to the OCBC Bank, through its Cheras, Kajang and Balakong branches, for their generous support and contribution for assisting these cancer patients and the medical team at the National Cancer Society of Malaysia during these trying times. We are pleased to have done our little part to help our community and we hope this will enable everyone to continue with the good work,” she said.

National Cancer Society of Malaysia General Manager & Medical Director Dr Murallitharan M said the organisation was grateful for the donation and the new mobile mammography screening machine which will come in handy to for those with mobility concerns.

“Breast cancer remains the cancer affecting the largest number of women in Malaysia. It accounted for 34.1% of all cancers among women in Malaysia, with a total of 21,634 cases of female breast cancer diagnosed between 2012 and 2016.

“A large number, representing 47.9% of breast cancer cases is detected only at very late stages – stages 3 or 4 - and awareness about the disease remains poor among women. A mammogram remains the most efficient screening method to detect breast cancer early. However, the uptake rate of mammogram screening is limited by accessibility to such screening centres, affecting both the rural and urban poor.

“A portable machine will go a long way toward helping all women facing accessibility issues. We would like to thank both OCBC Bank and Lions Club for this meaningful initiative,” he said.

Speaking on behalf of OCBC Bank, its Kajang branch Senior Manager Ms Phoebe Ng Yoke Chee said the Bank continues to strive to be more involved in the localities in which it operates and to become even more engaged in the community, going beyond simply providing superior banking products and services to meeting the social needs of the people as well.

“The social and economic effects of the global pandemic have been significant for many and so we wanted to reach out to support those who are most in need during this time of need and this includes the patients and caregivers at the National Cancer Society. We would also like to thank Lions Club for collaborating with us on this meaningful initiative. A big thank you also to District Governor 308B1 Kenny Low Man Fook for initiating this whole idea,” she said.


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