Menara Kuala Lumpur Lights Up in Pink for Breast Cancer Awareness – 14 Oct 2008
By Dr Evelyn Ho Rain or shine, the show must go on....and this was exactly the case on the evening of 14 October 2008. It rained cats and dogs in the evening, trickled to a drizzle, dazzled with some thunder and lightning before getting heavier and finally the skies were dry by 8.45pm. Some took to the “deck” in pink umbrellas (they were meant to be the door gifts but landed up being mighty useful) – and brightened up the evening gloomy weather. Meantime, this resulted in the organisers of the event changing plans from A to B to C and maybe D too! Yap Su Lin, the organising chairperson of Estee Lauder Companies’ Breast Cancer Awareness Campaign 2008 and her team of volunteers must be credited for having dealt with the situation so very well and all in all, the event was successful.
The invited guests all showed up to support the event and a big round of applause to them for braving the rain and then waiting quite a while for the event to start. Cocktails were served to ward off any hunger pangs that might have arisen from the delayed start of the event and of course everyone took the opportunity to catch up, network or meet new friends.
The guest of honour was Yang Berhormat Noriah Kasnon, Deputy Minister of Women, Family and Community Development. Accompanying her was also Yang Berhormat Dato’ Noraini Ahmad, Deputy Minister of Human Resources. Xandria Ooi was the emcee for the night and instead of holding the speeches in the open on a beautiful stage, the formalities were held indoors, making it very much cosier. Mr Loo Kai Nan, Managing Director of Estee Lauder Companies (ELC) started the ball rolling with a heartfelt message about the ELC initiatives in breast cancer awareness and the partners involved this round. All the 11 ELC brands – Aramis, Bobbi Brown, Beauty Bank, Clinique, Estee Lauder, Donna Karan, Tommy Hilfiger, La Mer, Lab Series Skincare for Men, Origins and Sean John Fragrances will display counter information, distribute pink ribbons and hand out informational materials regarding breast health.
Next was Dato’ Zulkifli Mohamad, Chief Executive Officer of Menara Kuala Lumpur, who’s animated speech must surely have won the hearts of many. He detailed the efforts of Menara KL, talked about ensuring a report of this activity to the World Federation of Great Towers, spoke of the special programmes for discounts to the observatory deck for those wearing “pink” clothes during Pink October, having breast health talks and brochures displayed to promote breast cancer awareness. Dato’ Zulkifli representing Menara KL, ELC’s partner in this Illumination Event spoke of how this was the first programme, and a very worthy one for the newly installed RM4 million lighting system. The unique Illumination Initiative is in the second year running in Malaysia and is part of the ELC Global Landmarks Initiative. Menara KL would be lighted up in pink for a 2 week period from 14-31 October 2008 from 8pm to 10pm daily. Menara KL is the 5th tallest communications tower in the world! He ended his speech in poetic style weaving all names of the various ELC perfumes and scents into his closing comments.
YB Noriah Kasnon, who officiated at the event, spoke of the scourge of breast cancer and how everyone should be more breast aware. She welcomed the fund raising initiatives of ELC with regard donating to breast cancer support, subsidised or free mammograms and also cancer research as this would complement her Ministry’s effort as well in their subsidies for mammograms programme.
The VIPs and guests were then escorted to the open area to view the Menara KL. Two base jumpers parachuted off from the top of the tower and landed safely before a thrilled crowd. This preceded the progressing lighting up of the tower. There was first a light show of the ribbon, and the words WORLD PINK WORLD WITHOUT BREAST CANCER in what appeared to be a laser show on the tower before the tower became “flushed” in pink! A very pretty and awe-inspiring sight indeed. However that was not all – the event ended in ‘hand printing” in pink paint, with a message of support to breast cancer awareness.
“We are definitely with you” – Estee Lauder Companies and Menara Kuala Lumpur for coming through with this pink illuminated tower of inspiration for breast health awareness. So everyone, wear a pink ribbon and make a difference!
Click here for the report on 2007 ELC Illumination of Pavilion, Kuala Lumpur |
