by Dr Evelyn Ho

Everyone who attended the prize presentation event without doubt had an overwhelming sense of respect and awe for the Radiology Malaysia-Meditel MyStory:CeritaKu 2005 contest winners. These winners had shared their stories, inspired either by their own personal encounter with cancer or from the perspective of caregiver, children, husband, colleague, relative, friend or health writer!

Suspense hung in the air as although there were 13 prize winners for the MyStory:CeritaKu contest, organised by Radiology Malaysia, no one knew what they had won. Naturally all were hoping they had won the grand prize of a notebook computer! Nevertheless, all were winners because they had dared to share in the hope that others would learn lessons from their stories.

The Radiology Malaysia–Meditel MyStory:CeritaKu contest ran from September to December 2005 to highlight and create awareness of the impact of cancer on everyone – not just those afflicted by cancer but also on people around those with cancer. The contest was a resounding success as entries were received from both within Malaysia and from overseas. Stories were told in either Bahasa Malaysia or English. These “unsung heroes” who contributed their stories ranged from caregivers, friends, relatives, observers of those afflicted with cancer as well as those who had been diagnosed with cancer themselves.

Sharon Toh, winner of a Nokia 6020 mobile phone gave her view of the contest, “This contest goes beyond the medical mumbo-jumbo that intimidates the general public when it comes to cancer education. It gives a human face to this illness that most people still find too scary to talk about.” Sharon had written about her mother’s 2-year encounter with colon cancer and even though cancer had shortened her mother’s life, it had actually strengthened her spirit. Sharon shared the limelight with Rene’e Aziz Ahmad as the final two for whom, one would have been the grand prize winner!

For the final prize presentation gambit, the Guest of Honour, Professor Jeff Dunn, Patient Services Advisor of the International Union Against Cancer, Executive Director of the Queensland Cancer Fund and also Adjunct Professor of the Faculty of Social and Behavioural Science, University of Queensland logged into the Grand Prize Notebook, a Lenovo IBM Thinkpad. The wallpaper of the notebook after logging in showed the photograph of the Grand Prize Winner – it was that of Rene’e Aziz Ahmad on the peak of Mount Kilimanjaro! Rene’e was in tears of disbelief and joy when she “saw” that she had won the grand prize.

Earlier, Professor Jeff Dunn in his keynote address, spoke of how cancer impacts everyone and how everyone had a role to play in cancer individually but also as a community. Jeff was in Malaysia as he was a speaker in the Reach to Recovery Breast Cancer Support Workshop from the 17-19 March 2006.

Professor Dr Basri JJ Abdullah, President of the College of Radiology kick start the Radiology Malaysia-Meditel MyStory:CeritaKu Prize Presentation with a short and sweet welcome speech.

Dr Evelyn Ho, Editor of Radiology Malaysia, Breast Cancer/Health Programmes Coordinator and also Honorary Secretary of the College of Radiology presented the highlights of Radiology Malaysia in 2005 as well as the breast cancer/health programmes conducted in 2005 to date. Of note was the fact that having led the way in breast cancer awareness and early detection programmes, Dr Ho applauded some of the private health institutions which had rallied to the cause and were now, conducting awareness programmes of their own. This enabled the College of Radiology to focus on other issues and reach out to other states.

Dr Ho thanked all the sponsors and friends, collaborators of Radiology Malaysia and gave them due recognition through virtual awards for their efforts and support to the CoR’s website and community service activities. With a tagline of “Seeing with Heart”, the CoR were making inroads in territories not yet reached in educating the public on various aspects of diagnosis and treatment!

The platinum award for Radiology Malaysia was again given to Meditel for the 2^nd year running whilst Agfa ASEAN and Abex Medical Systems received their virtual silver award for their support to the website.

For the breast health/cancer community programmes, the platinum awards were given to Johnson & Johnson as well as Meditel. The MMA Foundation Radiology Fund was also recognised in its important role as custodian of donations raised and reimbursing the various accredited volunteer mammogram providers. Meditel was the main sponsor of the MyStory:CeritaKu contest prizes and the Prize Presentation event sponsor as well.

The CoR’s partners in prevention include the National Cancer Society of Malaysia, the Breast Cancer Welfare Association, the National Council of Women’s Organisations, Hospis Malaysia, Segamat Breast Cancer Support Society and many others.

The following won prizes for their stories and the prizes were given out without a specific order to keep everyone in suspense and increase the excitement of the event.

Apple iPod Colour (30Gb) – Jamilah Samian & Munirah Aminullah

Nokia 6020 mobile phone – Sharon Toh Shu Ren & Roy Norman Botley

Siemens Gigaset C250 Digital Cordless Phone – Siti Marlina Zainal & Keh Chooi Lan

Wong Mei Lee, Cynthia Chok Fui Man and Mrs Sooria Kumari Singovan won the prize packages comprising Apacer products, a book by Ranjit Singh Malhi and the latter two also won complimentary stay at Lanson Place Ambassador Row Serviced Residences and Cititel Penang respectively.

The 3 sets of Jaya Jusco vouchers were won by Susan Marquez, Keh Chooi Yiang and Gan Poy Kim.

Donors of the consolation prizes were Teh Siew Lin, Ranjit Singh Malhi, Cynthia Chua, Mary Chan and Cititel Penang and Lanson Place Ambassador Row. Renaissance Kuala Lumpur donated 2 sets of Hi-tea vouchers for two and these were won by the Early Bird entries: Loh Siew Yim and Marian Abdul Malik.

All guests and prize winners then adjourned to lunch. The CoR was delighted that the event was very well attended and hoped everyone had an enjoyable time. Special thanks to all the prize winners who came from Kuantan, Ipoh and Seremban and friends of Radiology Malaysia who came from out of state to make the event a success.

Click here for the prize winning stories

Click here for details of the Radiology Malaysia-Meditel MyStory:CeritaKu Contest