‘WARRIORS IN PURPLE’ EVENT NIGHT RUN • GLOW WITH HOPE

SPEECH BY THE CHIEF MINISTER OF PENANG YAB TUAN CHOW KON YEOW FOR ‘WARRIORS IN PURPLE’ EVENT

NIGHT RUN • GLOW WITH HOPE

 

2 NOVEMBER 2019, ESPLANADE – PADANG KOTA LAMA

 

 

It is my pleasure and privilege to be with you once again as we come together to show our support for our “warriors” – family, friends, loved ones who have, with their utmost bravery and determination, battled cancer and won.

Just looking at the crowd today, and feeling the positive energy in the air, is indeed a truly heartening moment for me. We are all focused in the belief that the war against cancer can be won. That all is not lost for those of us who are afflicted with the genetic disease and with a positive attitude and proper medical care, we can survive, we can recover, we can live a deserving full life that was once nearly taken away.

So, the ‘warriors’ are not just cancer survivors; it is all of us. So, we ought to celebrate this shared victory which allowed many among us, a renewed glimmer of hope and a zest for life.

As Mr. Ivan mentioned earlier, the World Health Organisation lists cancer as the second leading cause of mortality globally. In Malaysia, cancer is the fourth leading cause of mortality.

While this information is solemn, it highlights the fact that there is a critical need for us to lead a healthy lifestyle.

Tobacco use, alcohol use, unhealthy diet, and physical inactivity are major cancer risk factors worldwide and are also the 4 shared risk factors for other noncommunicable diseases.

To all of you, I urge that this run we are having this evening goes beyond our show of support towards cancer survivors and cancer patients. Let it be the concrete start of our promise to ourselves to lead a healthier lifestyle. Or, if you have already started that promise, fantastic!

Let this evening be a continuation of that self-imposed commitment because building a healthier, stronger community begins with every member within the community.

We can and will support you by improving public awareness on diseases, educating children in schools on the importance of healthy living, making healthcare services accessible and of high quality.

But it is only through the combination of our efforts and yours, that the outcome will be even more significant.

The theme this evening is “Glow with Hope”. It is a powerful statement. For not only is your participation a sign of hope and support for cancer survivors and patients, it is also a reminder for you to energise your entire being with hope – and channel it towards those who need it most around you.

Penangites, you make me proud.

Gleneagles Penang, I commend you for taking the lead in creating awareness on cancer and bringing the community together as a sign of solidarity.

And with that, let the run begin!