Working Together to fight diabetes
PETALING JAYA, Wednesday, June 27, 2007 – Ford Malaysia today presented RM13,865.85 each to Persatuan Diabetes Malaysia (Malaysian Diabetes Society) and the Division of Pediatric Endocrinology, Department of Pediatrics, Universiti Malaya Medical Centre (UMMC), to help them in the fight against diabetes.The donations were part of proceeds raised from the Ford Motor Company Global Walk to Cure Diabetes event held in November last year.It is Ford Malaysia’s third year of involvement in this event and it is part of a larger initiative organised by Ford facilities around the world aimed at raising awareness and funds for diabetes research. The local campaign managed to raise RM55,463.40 from Ford Malaysia staff, business partners, suppliers and corporate sponsors. The balance of the collection amounting to RM27,731.70 will be handed over to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation International (JDRF), the largest charitable funder of diabetes research in the world. Ford Malaysia was the first Ford facility in Asia to participate in this worldwide initiative in 2004. Over the past two years, Ford has raised over RM150, 000 towards this cause and is on track for its fourth event scheduled for November this year.The cheques were handed over by Lindsay Benson, the event organizing chairperson and Mike Pease, Managing Director of Ford Malaysia, to Prof. Dr. Ikram Shah Bin Ismail, Deputy Dean of the Undergraduate and Diploma Studies of the Faculty Of Medicine, University Malaya, consultant endocrinologist and President, Persatuan Diabetes Malaysia, Dr. Muhammad Yazid Bin Hj. Jalaluddin, Lecturer Dept. of Pediatrics Faculty Of Medicine UMMC and Mr.K.S. Maniam Assistant General Secretary Persatuan Diabetes Malaysia.“This handover marks the culmination of efforts from different people working together towards a cause. We would not have been able to raise this money without the support of each and everyone of them. We would like to extend our thanks and appreciation to everyone for making this happen,” said Benson.The two organisations are actively involved in the campaign against diabetes nationwide.Persatuan Diabetes Malaysia is the first national diabetes non-governmental organisation and has multiple branches throughout the country. It organises counseling sessions, public forums, talks and diabetes education conferences for health care professionals and the general public. The endocrinology division of the Department of Pediatrics at UMMC cares for children with diabetes and is also involved in diabetes and obesity research. Diabetes is a major health concern globally. According to the World Health Organisation, at least 171 million people worldwide have diabetes. This figure is likely to more than double by 2030 to reach 366 million. In Malaysia, it is estimated that 8% of the population has diabetes. As such, efforts to create awareness of diabetes is critical, especially to reach out to risk groups and equip them with the knowledge and support to fight back. Donations for the local event were generated through a number of ways including donations in cash and in kind from Ford suppliers, business partners and corporate sponsors. Other fund raising activities such as a jumble sale, sale of cakes and cookies, and toys, were also held at the Ford plant in Shah Alam Some of the key sponsors included Taman Pertanian Malaysia Bukit Cahaya Seri Alam, Nestle MILO, Eau Claire Mineral Water, Gardenia and Deromp Marketing. . For more information on the Global Walk event this year in November, please email Anandan Munisamy, Training Manager, Ford Malaysia, at amunisam@ford.com About Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation International (JDRF)JDRF is the leading charitable funder and advocate of type 1 (juvenile) diabetes research worldwide. The mission of JDRF is to find a cure for diabetes and its complications through the support of research. Type 1 diabetes is a disease which strikes children suddenly and requires multiple injections of insulin daily or a continuous infusion of insulin through a pump. Insulin, however, is not a cure for diabetes, nor does it prevent its eventual and devastating complications which may include kidney failure, blindness, heart disease, stroke, and amputation. Since its founding in 1970 by parents of children with juvenile diabetes, JDRF has awarded more than US$800 million to diabetes research, including more than US$80 million in 2003 to fund 500 centers, grants and fellowships in 19 countries.For more information visit www.jdrf.org
