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MALAYSIAN Red Crescent Society (MRCS) Penang branch’s membership drive over the years to attract adult volunteers has not been encouraging.  Chairman Saw Ewe Yong said the response had been poor.

“This is sad because the public does not realise the benefits of becoming a member or a volunteer.

“They will be able to learn something good for themselves.

“At the same time, they will also be able to help others,” he told a press conference on Monday in Penang to announce the society’s annual walkathon to be held on June 26.

Saw said the society hoped to see its membership grow to 120,000.

The 3km walkathon will be held at the Esplanade grounds beginning 8.30am.

It will be flagged off by state executive councillor Datuk Koay Kar Huah.

Donors who had given RM300 and above will take part in a ribbon-cutting ceremony.

Saw said the event was to raise funds for the society’s annual activities costing more than RM400,000.

“Most of our activities are concentrated on training staff for public duties and maintenance of our ambu-lance and disaster teams and our vehicles,” he said.

He added some 500 participants, mainly youth members, would be taking part in the event.

“The public can also join in the walk by coming to the Esplanade before 8am on that day and donating RM10 to enable them to take part in a lucky draw,” he said.

A real-life emergency drama unfolded at the annual parade of the Malaysian Red Crescent (MRCS) Penang branch when the event’s emcee collapsed after suffering a heart attack.

Lim Kok Kong, 65, who is the secretary of the MRCS North Seberang Perai chapter, fell to the ground clutching his chest, about 10 minutes before the arrival of the Yang di-Pertua Negeri Tun Abdul Rahman Abbas to grace the event at the Padang Polo grounds.

HELPING HAND: Dr Teo (left) and Dr.Chong giving CPR aid to Lim at the Padang Polo grounds.

Penang General Hospital medical officer Dr.Teo Aik Howe and MRCS North Seberang Perai Chapter chairman Dr.Chong Yew Hock at tent nearby rushed over to give Lim first aid with cardio pulmonary resuscitation (CPR) before rushing him to the Penang Hospital in a MRCS ambulance.

At press time, he was reported to be in stable condition but has been placed under observation at the hospital’s intensive care unit.

One MRCS member, who did not want to be identified, said Lim had been serving as the secretary of the North Seberang Prai chapter for the past 10 years.

“He was just standing near the microphone, waiting to announce the arrival of the Governor when he suddenly collapsed,” he said.

The parade, which began about 10 minutes after Lim was taken to the hospital, was participated by 28 MRCS units from the secondary and primary schools here.

The Bukit Mertajam High School team emerged champion in the youth unit march past category with SMK Berapit and SM Prai taking second and third spots respectively.  Besides, in link unit march past category, SJKC Keow Kuang Bukit Mertajam won the champion.

Abdul Rahman in his speech urged MRCS to take proactive measures to organise campaigns to attract more youngsters to become volunteer members.

This campaign was planned in early to have it annually by MRCS branches in Malaysia on 8th of May in -conjunction with the World Red Cross/Red Crescent Day.  However the federation (IFRC) has decided June 14 of yearly as the official day of World Blood Donors and is apart to simultaneously gather the blood donors all over the world.

The national level World Blood Donors Day campaign will kick off on 12th of June at Kota Kinabalu, Sabah.  All chapters under Penang Branch will work together to make it happens on 19th June at Bukit Mertajam, Butterworth and Penang Island.

Public are encourage to participate.  Many door gifts will be given to early birds.  For further information about the World Blood Donor Day, please visit to the official website at http://www.wbdd.org

MALAYSIAN RED CRESCENT APPEALS FOR FUNDS TO SUPPORT VICTIMS OF EARTHQUAKE AND TIDAL WAVES IN SOUTH EAST ASIA

The Malaysian Red Crescent, following a preliminary appeal by the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, has launched an appeal for funds to support the Red Cross/Red Crescent international relief operations in support of victims of the strongest earthquake in 40 years and tidal waves that devastated the coastal areas in Sri Lanka, India, Indonesia, Thailand and Malaysia.

The initial appeal from the International Federation for 7.5 million Swiss Francs is to assist some 500,000 people affected in the Region. According to local authorities at least 6,000 people have been killed and more than 1 million has been misplaced. The International Federation has sent immediate medical supplies for 100,000 people to Sri Lanka, one of the hardest hit countries in Asia.

At the local front, the Malaysian Red Crescent Society has been mobilized in affected states of Penang , Perlis, Kedah and Perak to assist the local authorities in search and rescue, relief and tracing operations.

The MRCS active participation in the Regional Disaster Management Team (RDMT), has prompted an immediate response for a contribution of USD10,000 to the Indonesian Red Cross to assist the people of Acheh. A 5-member relief team comprising of a doctor and 4 relief workers will be sent to Acheh to assist the Indonesian Red Cross Society (Palang Merah Indonesia) in coordinating relief assistance and other support services.

The Malaysian Red Crescent Society, is appealing to members of the general public, private sectors and organizations for generous contributions towards the MRCS Relief Fund established to provide financial and relief assistance to people affected by disasters.

Caring Malaysians and members of international communities are kindly urged to join the NST, TV3 and MRCS collaborative effort to expedite humanitarian action, locally, regionally and internationally. All cash contribution are tax-exempted and are to be made payable to “MRCS Relief Fund” or call 603- 42578122 for details.

The Malaysian Red Crescent Society is dedicated to the alleviation of human suffering, regardless of race and religion. Its humanitarian services are broad and ranges from playing an active role in disaster relief, ambulance service and first aid, to providing health and community services and refugee rehabilitation. It was established in Malaysia in 1948 and now has 15 branches and over 290,000 volunteers nation-wide.

The Boeing Company had donated an new Ambulance cost about RM150,000 to Malaysian Red Crescent Society Penang Branch in the MRCS Penang Fund Raising Annual Dinner 2004 at Shangri-La Hotel as their recognization on the execellent service that MRCS provided to the communities and its humanitarian works.

The donation was handled to His Excellency the State Governor of Penang, T.Y.T Tun Dato’ Seri Utama (Dr.) Haji Abdul Rahman bin Haji Abbas S.M.N., D.U.P.N., S.P.D.K., D.M.P.N., D.J.N. by The Boeing Region ACEO and witnessed by the MRCS Penang Branch Chairman Ir.Saw Ewe Yong.

The presented honorary guests were Mr.William Charlie – The United State Ambassador, Mr.Chan Hon Kwong, Mr.Lim Yam Koi and Mr.Lim Kim Chuan.

The Boeing is a company that provided largest fight service in the world and it has very wide global networks to 145 countries in the world.

There was also sponsorship from Renesas Semiconductor, Agilent Technologies, A.A.Anthony Security, Malaysia Trade & Transport Co., Oracle Corporation, Boon Siew, Mini-Circuits Technologies, The Penang Floral Art Society and etc.

MALAYSIA sees an average of 20 new HIV/AIDS cases each day, said Malaysian Red Crescent Society (MRCS) Penang branch chairman Saw Ewe Yong.

He said there were now over 40 million HIV/AIDS cases worldwide, of which 2.5 million cases involved children.

Saw said the rising number of HIV/AIDS cases worldwide and in the country was cause for concern and there was an urgent need for all to fight the disease together.

Speaking at the official launch of the MRCS Penang World AIDS Day 2003 celebrations at the Relau Metropolitan Park on Saturday, Saw said the campaign was to protect the dignity of people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) by fighting against stigmatisation and discrimination.

“There is a need for the society to know the truth of the disease instead of believing in myths and misconceptions about the disease which results in stigmatisation and discrimination,” he said, adding that this year’s World AIDS Day celebrations were themed ‘The Truth about AIDS – Pass it on’.

He added that the stigmatisation had resulted in PLWHA shying away from treatment for fear of being discriminated against.

Only about 3% of PLWHAs dared to seek proper medical treatment, he added.

‘Hope’ cards, he said, had been distributed to the public to create more awareness and encourage them to reach out to PLWHAs.

A total of 2002 ‘Hope’ cards had been distributed since early December and more than 80% of the cards were completed and placed on a red ribbon sculpture at the park.

Saw, who placed card number 2003 on the sculpture bearing the message ‘Spread not the disease, but spread the truth about AIDS’, said many of the cards carried thoughtful and special messages in support of their campaign to fight the stigmatisation of PLWHA.

‘Don’t give up, life is full of hope’, ‘Love is the tool to fight AIDS’ and ‘AIDS is not transmitted by touch’ are just a few of the inspiring messages written on the cards placed on the sculpture.

The sculpture and exhibition booths put up by the MRCS, state health department and Universiti Sains Malaysia’s AIDS Action & Research Group will be at the park for a week so that the public can have access to more information on HIV/AIDS. Flyers and red ribbons will also be distributed at the park.