10th Year Anniversary 2012

The CARIF Story
I
n 1998, Tan Sri Tunku Ahmad Yahaya was
approached by an oral cancer researcher in
his alma mater university to raise funds for
oral cancer research in the UK, Tunku wanted
this to be a Malaysian effort. I was at the
University of Cambridge and was surprised
with the idea that this could be a Malaysian
independent effort.
With support from Tun Dr Mahathir, the Tote
Board, PETRONAS and Yayasan Lim, Tunku, Toh
Puan Dr Aishah Ong, Mrs Leong Lim Siew Lian
and Tan Sri Noordin Hassan became the founding
Trustees of CARIF and a new chapter in Malaysian
history thus began.
When we started CARIF, it felt like a
big experiment. Although Malaysians and
Malaysian companies are generous, but is
there enough money, talent and support
among doctors, the universities and the
ministries to get this going?
So as we stand here 10 years on, everyone is
asking what have we achieved.
Tun Mahathir Launches “HOPE LIVES HERE”
Institute recognize CARIF as a key partner in
making new discoveries relevant to Asian genes,
Asian cancers, Asian resources.
Other Malaysian cancer NGOs — NCSM,
BCWA, HOSPIS — stand shoulder to shoulder
with us in raising awareness for cancer in our
outreach programmes.
Money raised will be used to find a cure for
cancer from Malaysia’s rich biodiversity, to find
a cure for oral and nasopharyngeal cancer, two
cancers more common in Asians, to find better
ways to prevent and treat breast and ovarian
cancer more effectively in Asian women, to
enable us to expand our cancer awareness and
screening programmes, to expand our research
into clinical trials for new therapies, to expand
our training of young Malaysians to be the new
generation of cancer researchers.
I applaud and thank all of you if you have
taken part in a race, the Terry Fox Run, the Estee
Lauder Campaign or simply for supporting us in
the past 10 years. Without you, our work towards
a cure for cancer would not have happened. But
it is not enough.
Some now recognize CARIF as the best cancer
research laboratory in Malaysia, producing
talented award winners like two L’Oreal women
in science recipients, numerous best young
investigators awards.
I applaud and thank all our collaborators and
our researchers for all your hard work in pursuing
excellence in science and for collaborating in our
efforts. But it is not enough.
Others from the University of Cambridge,
Karolinska Institute and US National Cancer
30,000 Malaysians are diagnosed with cancer
every year. Find other ways YOU can be part of
our fight against cancer.
But to me, CARIF exists because
each individual cancer patient
deserves hope for a better future.
At CARIF, we believe that
Hope lives here.
2
“Cancer is a disease that
has defied cure all these years.
That does not mean that it
will never be cured.”
I
’m quite sure given time and given people
like those who worked for CARIF, there may
come a time that cancer would be curable.
Maybe not so soon, maybe it will take years
but as they say, a journey of a thousand miles
begins with the 1st step.
I think the first step has been taken in
Malaysia and I would like to congratulate CARIF
for going into this field which is very daunting.
That is because we are not going to have easy
results. It can be terribly disappointing because
for all the time and the money you spent, you
may make very little progress indeed. But then
if you don’t, you’ll make no progress at all and
that is why CARIF is very important.
It is not often that we see in Malaysia, a
voluntary organization attempting to do this
kind of work as a service to the community.
Of course this will not be confined to Malaysia
alone, if CARIF do find something, the whole
world would benefit.
This is the kind of work that requires passion.
People like these deserve our appreciation and
deserve our support.
Of course this work is not cheap, it requires
people who are highly qualified and even though
they may have passion and willingness to work,
they still have to live and still need money. We
need to pay them, we also need to pay for the
equipment, time and all kinds of chemicals that
they may have to use.
It is important that the public at large
appreciates this. But the appreciation should
not be just appreciation, a little bit of donation
I think, voluntary donation would be very
welcomed for this organisation. There is a need
for us to make progress in terms of curing people
and certainly cancer deserves our attention
because cancer is not the same for every parts
of the world.
I think we should all be grateful that there
are passionate people who are devoting their
time and their lives (almost) to cancer research
in Malaysia. I pray and I hope that one day they
will come up with a cure or partial cure and the
world would benefit from the research that they
are doing.
I would like to congratulate CARIF for
making it to 10 years. Not many such voluntary
organizations last 10 years but CARIF have
lasted for 10 years and they deserve to stay on
for longer. But in order for them to stay on a
longer time, they need money, not necessarily 1
million dollars, 999,000 will do but if you don’t
have that kind of money, please give whatever
you have because someday you’ll find that their
work has done us all a great deal of good.
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To’ Puan Noraini and Puan Juniwati, VP of Human Resource,
Petronas of (3rd and 4th from the right) received CARIF’s
recognition award.
Recognition award for CARIF core donors. From left: Dato Seri Ismail (Al-Bukhary Foundation), Mr Richard Eu
representing Datuk Anne Eu (Joseph Eu Foundation), Toh Puan Aishah Ong, Tunku Tan Sri Ahmad, Tan Sri Richard Cham
(Lembaga Totalisator and Selangor Turf Club), Tun Mahathir, Tun Musa (Yayasan Sime Darby and SD Group), To’ Puan
Noraini, Puan Juniwati (PETRONAS), Mdm Lim Siew Lian (Yayasan Lim), Prof Teo Soo-Hwang.
CARIF turns TEN!
This year, CARIF commemorates
its 10th year anniversary with
a simple, yet powerful theme:
“Hope Lives Here”.
The arrival of Tun Mahathir with
Senator Dato Seri Idris Jala (right).
The theme encapsulates CARIF’s
belief that the answer for cancer
prevention and treatment lies in
our very own population, in our
very own genes, in our health
habits and in Malaysia’s own
biodiversity.
The 10-year celebrations event
was held at Sime Darby Convention
Centre and was graced by YA Bhg
Tun Mahathir Mohamad, who
launched CARIF 10 years ago.
T h e e v e n i n g ’s f e s t i v i t i e s
began with a cocktail cumart exhibition and world-class
pianist, Bobby Chen enthralled
the guests with a masterful and
enchanting performance, as well
as performances by Malaysianbased acapella group, The SnL
Singers with their off-the-edge
brand of contemporary, pop, jazz
and swing stylings.
British High Commisioner HE
Mr Simon Featherstone greeting
Tun Mahathir with Tunku Tan
Sri Ahmad Yahya.
Sime Darby Group CEO, Dato Bakke
Salleh greeting Tun Mahathir with
Prof Teo Soo Hwang.
4
Tun Siti Hasmah,
Toh Puan Aishah
Ong together
with Datin Seri
Pang(2nd row
left), Mdm
Lim Siew Lian
and Toh Puan
Zulaikha (far
right) sharing a
light moment.
Tun Mahathir presented special
recognition awards to the top six
donors of CARIF Yayasan Sime
Darby and the Sime Darby Group
of Companies, PETRONAS, Yayasan
Lim, Lembaga Totalisator and the
Selangor Turf Club, Joseph Eu
Foundation and Eu Yan Sang, and
Yayasan Al-Bukhary
Tun Mahathir thanked the
donors who had enable the
success of CARIF and called upon
the new prospective donors to
enable CARIF to move forward
to the next 10 years in their fight
against cancer.
Mdm Lim Siew Lian with Chairman
of Top Glove Tan Sri Lim Wee Chai
(middle) and wife Puan Sri Tong
Siew Bee (left) .
Far left: Dr. Lee Hong Boon from CARIF,
Mr. Chuah Beng Swee (Petronas) and
Prof. Ho Chee Cheong (Fellow of
Academy of Science M’sia).
Tun Musa, Chairman of Sime Darby Berhad received
CARIF’s recognition award.
Art of Science Exhibition.
Above from right: Prof.
Cheong Sok Ching (CARIF)
and Chairman of Selangor
Turf Club Tan Sri Datuk
Richard Cham.
Below right: Roy Navonil
from Maxis with Datin Dr.
Amyza Saleh (CARIF).
A moment to remember. Far left: CEO of Stylo International Datuk
Nancy Yeoh, Datin Chai Schynder and Talent Corp CEO, Johan Merican
listening intently to Tun Mahathir’s opening speech.
Far left: Dr Saunthari (NCSM), Dr. Azlina (Pantai Hospital),
Puan Sri Datin Seri Dato’ Akmal, Patron BCWA , Ranjit Kaur
CEO of BCWA, Paul Slavin, Katrina Liew and Yap Mei Fong
representatives from Estee Lauder M’sia enjoying the moment.
5
Dato’ Nancy Yeoh
Founder and CEO,
STYLO International,
and cancer survivor
Everyone said “How could
you have cancer; you don’t
look like it”. But there is no profile, anyone
can get cancer. Cancer survivors like us are
beneficiaries of the work done by people
like the scientists at CARIF in the last
10 years.
Professor Dato’ Dr Tunku
Sara Tunku Ahmad
Orthopaedic Surgeon
and cancer survivor
I’m alive today probably
because of targeted therapy
– which is not a sledge hammer of general
chemotherapy. It’s something that target
particular cells and I think that’s the
way to go in cancer research. Support
CARIF. Support cancer research in
Malaysia. For more information, visit
www.carif.com.my.”
Datin Seri Tiara Jacquelina
Dr. Chow Yock Ping
Actress and Film Producer,
Enfiniti Productions
Post doctoral Scientist, CARIF
Having a family member or
someone close to you such
as your mother with cancer
makes you very angry and hopeless, thinking
about why is there no cure. I’m sure out there
somewhere there is a cure for cancer, and
organisations like CARIF gives us a glimmer
of hope.
Tan Sri (Dr) Francis Yeoh
It’s very painful to see
somebody you love suffer,
although I must say I have
the best doctors. And I thank
them all. But whatever they do are not
good enough to save my wife in this world.
Cancer treatment is very debilitating for
cancer patients. They are severely weakened
before they can even recover.
Breast cancer survivor
6
Professor Dr. Cheong Sok Ching
Group Leader, Oral Cancer Research
Group, CARIF
“Loreal for Women in Science”
recipient and UICC Fellow
Oral cancer is rare but getting more
common, and most of these cancers occur among
Asians.
The biggest problem is that there is not enough
money or research done on oral cancer and in
Malaysia, half of these patients die within the first
2 years. Working at a hospital, I see cancer patients
every day who are fighting for their lives. I feel the
urgency to find new cures for cancer. People are
dying and there is no time to wait.”
Founder, YTL Group of Companies
Leong Pui Ling
I developed breast cancer when I
was 28. My father’s sisters had breast
cancer, but we never knew that it
could affect me too. Through the
doctors at University Malaya and researchers at
CARIF, I now know my genetic status and I am taking
steps to make sure that I live a full cancer-free life.
My aunts are gone now, taken by metastatic breast
cancer at a young age. They would have wanted me
to make every effort to save my own life and I want
to make sure that I do everything for cancer research
so that my daughter will not have to go through
what I went through. We need more research that is
specific to Malaysian breast cancer. The knowledge I
was provided by CARIF saved my life. Let’s continue
to give this powerful gift to many more!”
Nasopharyngeal cancer is the
3rd most common cancer in
Malaysian men and 90% of
these cancers occur among
Asians. The biggest problem is that most
patients are diagnosed at a late stage and
we know little about the genes that drive
these cancers. We are using next generation
sequencing technologies to help us find
genes that cause nasopharyngeal cancer
and hope that this will help us to develop
better ways to detect the cancer early and
treat it more effectively.
Sharifah Nurain Zanaruddin
Dr. Lee Hong Boon
Group Leader,
Drug Discovery Research Team, CARIF
Even though many cancer drugs
have been developed, there is
still a lot to do. We hope to find
better drugs with fewer side effects, and to
find new cures for cancers. Malaysia is blessed
with a variety of plants and organisms that may
hold the key to finding new anti-cancer drugs.
My team combines the best of cancer biologists
and chemists to develop new ways to find a
needle in the haystack. We leave no stones
unturned and even use the simple zebrafish in
our search for cancer because zebrafish develop
cancers that are similar to humans. My hope is to
find a drug from the Malaysian forests within my
lifetime.
Professor Dr. Teo Soo Hwang
Chief Executive, CARIF
Breast cancer is the most common
cancer in Malaysia. Our biggest
problem is that we have an
incomplete understanding of
how the disease develops. My team is finding
genes that drive breast cancer and dissecting
how these interact with our lifestyle to cause
breast cancer. We use this knowledge to help
families survive and prevent breast and ovarian
cancer. We are just not doing enough, not fast
enough. Time is a luxury most cancer patients
don’t have.
Research Associate , CARIF
We don’t know a whole lot
about cancers in our country,
and we can’t continue to rely
on knowledge generated from
other countries — because their cancer is
different! We know that cancers in the same
anatomical location may have different genes
and this may explain why some patients respond
to treatment and others do not. CARIF’s research
in the genes in cancer can help match cancer
patients to the right treatments.”
Muhammad Mamduh Zabidi
Research Associate, CARIF
I’m at the forefront of scientific
discovery, figuring out God’s
secret. I confront difficult problems
that constantly challenge me, and
challenge long-accepted dogmas. I have high
hopes that some day we would be able to come
up with our own cure for cancer. Right now,
there are high-risk high-return projects that are
just waiting to be funded. Each of these projects
might fail, but it is important to try, rather than
not doing anything!”
7
Ms Kong Yink Heay explaining her art to Tun Mahathir, Prof Dr Teo looking on.
Canvas print of cell images, available at CARIF at RM1,000 each
The Beauty of Science
CARIF conducted its first art exhibition entitled “Art of
Science” featuring more than 40 artwork donated from these
four talented artists.
1 Ms Kong Yink Heay, a research scientist at CARIF. The
fascinating beauty of the cells under microscope inspires her to
portray the scientific mechanism of the cells into her painting.
2 Mr. Steve Gschmeissner, a multi award-winning
photographer whose images used by Grammy award winning
artist and the Royal Society of Photography.
3 Jasmine Raj, an artist that is well known for her bold use of
brilliant hues on large canvases and a breast cancer survivor.
4 Zulkifli Hamzah, who is currently learning ‘glass art’ from
Raja Azhar Idris, Malaysia’s foremost glass artist. As a caregiver,
the works produced were inspired by a subject that is close to
his heart.
You can make a difference. Purchase any of the artwork now
and help us build a future free from the fear of cancer. Log on to
our website www.carif.com.my for more information. Do call us
at 03 5639 1874 or email [email protected] to purchase the art
of interest.
Tun Mahathir, En Hamid , Dato Seri Idris Jala and HE Mr Simon Featherstone
admiring “The Art of Science” painting.
Tun Mahathir, Tun Siti and Toh Puan Tun Mahathir looking at the various
artwork displayed.
Aishah admiring the glass art.
Selected art images
were incorporated
into a special design
Calendar 2013,
which is available
at only RM20.
Get a copy of this
special design
Calendar while stock
last! Do call us at
03 5639 1874 or email
[email protected]
to order now.
Dato Seri Ismail, VP of Yayasan Al-Bukhary (far
right) discussing the artwork with Tan Sri Dr Wan
Mohd Zahid (Yayasan Sime Darby).
Glass Art, available at RM2,000 each.
Opportunities For
Philanthropic Support
Corporate Partnership
As part of your Corporate Social
Responsibility initiative, consider funding
a cancer research grant or clinical trial,
sponsoring an event or donating products
and services to support Malaysians
with cancer, improve cancer awareness,
prevention and early detection. Whether a
small business or a large corporation, we’d like
to hear from you.
You Can Make
a Difference!
One Man’s Race Against Cancer
Supporting cancer research is supporting
a future free from the fear of cancer.
Every one of us can make a difference,
whether it is a small or big donation. It
is our commitment that for every ringgit
you donate to CARIF, at least 95% will be
used for research. Do join us for the fight
against cancer. You may donate to us
online at www.carif.com.my or through
the donation form inserted.
F
rank Chong, a Malaysian cancer survivor
conquered 89kms (equivalent to 2 normal
marathon) to raise fund for CARIF in South
Africa recently. Frank was diagnosed with
Rhabdomyosarcoma, a rare form of cancer
that affects muscle and connective tissues,
at the tender age of 12. Since then, he has
actively participated in various runs, to raise
funds for cancer research.
“B e i n g a c a n c e r s u r v i v o r m y s e l f , I a m
constantly trying to find ways to give back to
the community especially to those diagnosed
with cancer by following the various work
done towards cancer research. I am immensely
proud to be participating in this race with some
of the best runners in the world who share
the same beliefs and values I possess, that is in
running for a worthy cause — finding a cure for
cancer. Hope lives here in Malaysia!”.
Be Our Community Champion –
Host Your Own Fundraiser
Support CARIF by hosting your own fundraiser. These events cover a wide scope of
activities that may include a one-off event, an annual affair or an on-going initiative
that runs for a specified period of time. If you have a great fundraising idea and would like
to lend a hand, we would love to hear from you.
You Can
Make a
Difference!
Frank has recently donated his Comrades
Marathon medal to CARIF.
Support Frank’s initiative by purchasing
the special designed t-shirt at RM60. T-shirt
are avalaible at CARIF and Running Lab,
Tropicana City Mall. You can make a difference
and help us to have a future free from the
fear of cancer.
Participate in Our More than A
Mammo Programme
COME AND JOIN US in our
“More Than A Mammo” programme.
Made possible through the fund raised
from the Sime Darby LPGA tournament,
this program offers Malaysian women over
40 subsidised mammogram at only RM50.
Plus, women participating in this program
also contributes to a Malaysian study to
determine the impact of genes, lifestyle
and breast density. Your participation and
contribution will help us develop better ways to
fight breast cancer. Everyone of us can make a
difference! Together, we can beat cancer.
More than a 1,000 Malaysian women have
already taken part. What are you waiting for?
Register now — for your mother, sister, cousins
and even yourself at the Breast Care Centre, 1st
Floor Outpatient Centre, Sime Darby Medical
Centre Subang Jaya, Mondays to Fridays,
or telephone +603 563 91340 or log on to
www.carif.com.my for more information.
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Bobby Chen Charity Piano Concert
E
quatorial Hotel Kuala Lumpur together
with The British Malaysian Society, AirAsia
and Yamaha organised a charity piano concert
featuring Bobby Chen the world renowned
Malaysian concert pianist with part of the
proceeds going to Cancer Research Initiatives
Foundation (CARIF). The concert raised
RM11,000 to fund cancer research at CARIF .
Bobby Chen himself was moved by the stories
of cancer patients and their efforts undergoing
treatment. He further added “For this concert,
I felt that even after it ended, the audience left
affected by the music, as well as enlightened
about the emotional effects of cancer. I am
just delighted that I could play such a tiny part
to help”
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Oil Paintings
& Canvas Prints
& Glass Art
FOR SALE
Support Us!
You may also consider
donating to CARIF
via the donation form
inserted!
Fridge Magnet
RM5 each
A Note From The Chairman, Board of Trustees
I am honoured to welcome each of you to join CARIF in our 10th year
anniversary. As we turn ten, we thank everyone who have stood by
our efforts, for understanding and supporting our cause.
Teddy Bears RM25 each
Set of 5 at RM100
We did it because we believe in a future of long healthy lives.
We did it because we hope that everyone diagnosed will be
fortunate enough to have hope.
Roller pen
Colour: Black
RM25
We did it because we hope Malaysian scientists and doctors
would come together and share their research efforts.
CARIF’s work is possible because of the support of Tun Dr
Mahathir and our donors, supporters and collaborators.
Postcards
Hari Raya Cookies
RM100 per hamper
RM10 each
Pack of 3
Together we can build a world free from the fear
of cancer. Support cancer research in Malaysia.
Support CARIF.
RM3
Shoe bag
Afghan Crisps /
Sugee / Oatmeal
Chocolate Chips /
Peanut Butter /
Crispy Almond
Colour: Blue
Hand Towel
Colour: White
Calendar 2013
RM20
Umbrella
Notebook
RM10
RM15
Colour: Red
RM20
2 Designs – Images from the
“Art of Science“ exhibition
T-shirt
RM30
RM
Colour: Red, Blue, Pink
Size: S, M, L, XL
CONTACT US
Cancer Research Initiatives Foundation [CARIF]
2nd Floor, Outpatient Centre, Sime Darby Medical Centre, 1, Jalan SS12/1A, Subang Jaya, 47500 Selangor, Malaysia
Tel: +603 5639 1874 Fax: +603 5639 1875 Email: [email protected]
EDITORIAL TEAM : Prof Dr Teo Soo Hwang, Datin Dr. Amyza Saleh, Chan Li Jin, Katrina Low
DESIGNER: Cara Chan
RM25
YM Tunku Tan Sri Ahmad Yahya