From Bananas to Breakthroughs
How One Volunteer’s Passion Drives Change
Meet one of our dedicated volunteers, Calvin Cheah, a passionate supporter of Cancer Research Malaysia (CRMY) and an avid participant in the Terry Fox Run. Calvin also has a fondness for a particular yellow, elongated fruit that is high in potassium. Did you guess it? If your answer was banana, you’re right! He loves bananas so much that he earned the nickname “Banana-man” for his daily banana intake (2 for breakfast, 2 for lunch, and 1 during tea break).
Calvin’s involvement with cancer research is both interesting and inspiring. Despite having a background in IT and Engineering, he wasn’t familiar with cancer or cancer research when he was a young adult. A personal tragedy led him to switch careers, leaving behind a tech start-up role after his mother’s passing from breast cancer in 2017. He transitioned to working in a cancer lab, focusing on data analysis for oesophageal cancer trials.
“When I applied to work at the lab, I knew almost nothing about cancer. But I was so determined to work in the field that I didn’t mind if it meant starting as a floor sweeper,” Calvin reflected.
His connection with CRMY began when he started following our social media pages and recognised the valuable work we are doing on Asian-specific cancers. Calvin first became involved with CRMY through our 2022 Terry Fox Run, where he was impressed by the presence of Darrell Fox, who travelled all the way from Canada to attend the event.
“It was a very memorable event because it felt like going to someone’s birthday party. Everyone was having fun, with so much joy, passion and smiles everywhere. It was even more special because everyone had their own story to tell,” Calvin recalled.
For Calvin, the Terry Fox Run holds a deeper meaning beyond the event itself, as it represents aspiration and progress. Participating with his dad and sister made it even more meaningful, as they all woke up early, donned the same t-shirts, and met a diverse group of people.
He fondly remembers wearing his Terry Fox t-shirt to a formal event, where someone recognised it and struck up a conversation. Such moments are common, he says and they highlight the widespread impact and recognition of the cause.
The experience of dealing with cancer, whether personally or within the family, is daunting and overwhelming. However, being part of the run offers a renewed sense of hope and a reminder that efforts are being made to address the disease.
CRMY’s mission resonates with Calvin because it focuses on long-term investments in research. The dedication to making a difference, even if results take time, aligns with his own values from working at the Wellcome Genome Campus.
“Research is not glamorous, yet it’s the most important component in driving progress. Imagine research as the engine of your car or the CPU in your mobile phone. You don’t see it, but it’s the heart and brains of the operation,” Calvin added.
Fundraising and donations are crucial for CRMY, as they support vital research and ensure that talented individuals can work on important projects. Calvin encourages others to get involved, emphasising that even small contributions can make a significant impact.
Some common misconceptions about volunteering are that it won’t make a difference or that all charities are the same. He counters these by highlighting CRMY’s specific goals and ambitious projects, which directly address cancer in Malaysia.
“You will be surprised at how much you will learn about cancer when you get involved, and many of the developments are encouraging. If you’re still unsure about how to support Cancer Research Malaysia, just participate in events like the Terry Fox Run. It’s an easy and effective way to contribute. Plus, you get to meet new people and expand your circle of friends,” Calvin advised.
Cancer Research Malaysia looks forward to the future, filled with more runs, more awareness, and ultimately, a world without cancer. Join us on this journey, and together, let’s run for hope, run for a cure!