The OutRageously PINK Nite Opinion Poll Highlights 11 June 2004
By Dr Evelyn Ho

20 volunteers went out on the streets on OutRageously PINK nite (OPN), 11 June 2004 to do a small survey related to OPN. People in the Bangsar Baru District were randomly approached to participate in this small survey. The pollsters managed to interview 598 people that night. They hit the streets at 7.30pm.

One of the aims of the OPN was to bring breast health awareness messages in a positive manner to the younger generation – an age where people are least to have concerns about their health and are “ready to conquer the world”. In this age group, it is unlikely that they will go for health talks or make an effort to do their checkups. It looks like the Malaysian Breast Cancer Council might have hit their target group from the demographics of those polled.

Demographics of Poll Sample
 

57% of those polled were female and 83% were Malaysians. Of those who were foreigners, they were either expatriates or visitors on business or holiday in Kuala Lumpur. Of the Malaysians, 43% were Chinese, 22% Malays and 22% were Indians. 

The majority (96%) were either 50 years old or younger. 70% were in the 21-40 year age group. 

The Malaysian Breast Cancer Council (MBCC) are happy to note that the OPN was well accepted although this was the first time, a serious issues such as breast cancer and breast health awareness was being promoted in this unusual manner.  However, the MBCC felt that it was important to go to the people, where they normally are to bring these messages without “turning people off" the topic.  

We thank all our Partners in Awareness for enabling OutRageously PINK Nite and all our pollsters including those who carried on helping the MBCC to collate the results! Well done volunteers!
 

Approximately 600 people were interviewed and comments, suggestions as well as criticisms have been categorized and summarised as follows.

About the OutRageously PINK Nite (OPN) in Bangsar Baru

Positive comments:

• This is one of the BEST ways of promoting a cause that I have seen in Malaysia!

• Other positive short and sweet comments included “quite nice”, “ good job”, “good campaign”, “good idea”, “good event”, “it’s really good”, “keep up the good work, this is important”,

• “Good idea – more men should understand breast health!”

• Less embarrassment about breast health issues and OPN brings it out into the open.

• Subtle messages like this might work

• Very attractive colour – PINK

Negative comments:

• Should not close the roads or car parks!

• The marching band should have been dressed in bright colours.

• Not all the volunteers know about the “illness” themselves.

• Bangsar is a “cheap” venue – not suitable

• More advertisement – how about T shirts? More on TV and Radio

• More corporates and those in the private sector should support events like the OPN! 

• Hold OPN later at night to “attack” all the clubbers! 

• Events like the OPN should be held in shopping complexes where there were bigger crowds such as 1 Utama, Bukit Bintang, KLCC 

• Breast health events like this should be held everywhere! Have road shows regularly. 

• OPN should be held regularly – these ranged from every month, to every quarter to every year! (MORE OFTEN!) 

• Hold OPN every month to scare the “hXXX” out of men!

• More shops should participate in this event 

• There should be more educational leaflets & banners.  

• There should be more fun activities and freebies! 

• Use Malek Noor to endorse this event as it would attract attention 

• Invite artistes for charity 

• OPN should be on a larger scale so that more will be made aware! 

• Hold OPN in the weekend 

• Change OPN venue every year 

• OPN should be held in various communities and in their own mother tongue, in other cities as well. 

• Offer free screening 

• Improve on decorations 

• Younger people should be involved

• Should have prostate cancer awareness activities – promote male issues! 

• Implement breast health awareness in National Service! 

• Should have more breast health talks and have it everywhere 

• Have breast health awareness in Primary and Secondary Schools, should start the awareness campaign in schools

• Promote breast health in remote villages, road shows 

• Ministry of Health should be involved in breast health promotion 

• Have breast health campaigns more often in other areas of Malaysia but NOT in hospitals as these people would not want further gloom 

• Should organize talks on Breast Cancer in a hall or a proper place, not in shopping centre 

• Complement health talks with song and dance 

• Breast health awareness should reach out to a wider crowd, all ages; approach factory workers and less well educated people

Power Breakfast Show on Cyberjaya TV – 11 June 2004

The MBCC was invited to the Power Breakfast Show at 9am on Friday, 11 June 2004 to talk about the OutRageously PINK Nite. We thank Cyberjaya TV for helping us to publicise this event

Launch of OPN
 

Thank you to YB Dato’ Seri Shahrizat Abdul Jalil, Minister of Women, Family and Community Development for officiating at the launch of OPN at 9pm, Telawi Street Bistro in Bangsar Baru

OPN 2004 Gold Sponsors:

Meditel

Our Partners in Awareness:

Bangsar Baru Business Council
Traffic Police
OCPD Brickfields
DBKL
Alam Flora
Astro Radio
Star
NST
Sunday Mail

Capricorn Connections
Promotional Partners
Richmatt Holdings
Schering (Malaysia)
Tanjong Golden Village
In Bangsar Magazine
Permanis Sdn Bhd
Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf
Unilever Malaysia
Novartis
Oops! Asia
Watatime
CinemaOnline
Mini Sun Marketing
Estee Lauder Companies
Havana Estudio
Acegate Sdn Bhd

Participating outlets:

Barrique Fine Wines
Bar Flam
Chinoz Bangsar Restaurant Canteena
Starbucks Coffee
Grappa
La Bodega
La Bodega Lounge
Telawi Street Bistro
Sagar Restaurant
The Talk, Bangsar
House Frankfurt
Oliver’s Super Sandwiches
Vintages @ Bangsar
Planter’s Jim
Al Sabeel Restaurant
House of Intimacy