He Came to Open Doors for CRMY. Along the Way, He Found a Purpose of His Own.
Part 2 of our Hari Malaysia story featuring the husband-and-wife duo serving CRMY in very different ways, but towards the same purpose.
If Shivaani’s CRMY journey is one of science, discovery and 17 years of dedication, her husband Jeevan’s journey is one of people, persistence and opening doors.
From colleagues to life partners-Jeevan and shivaani take a time away from CRMY to create memories of their own.
Nearly two years ago, Jeevan joined Cancer Research Malaysia (CRMY) with a simple motivation: he wanted to understand the healthcare industry and, more importantly, contribute towards something that could make a difference.
Having previously worked with multinational brands, healthcare was a new space for him. When he heard that CRMY was looking for someone to join its Donor Engagement team, he saw an opportunity to learn something new while contributing to a cause that helps people.
Today, as a Donor Engagement Accounts Manager, his role is straightforward to describe but far from easy to do.
“I open doors so that the company gets donations to sustain itself, and educate people about who we are and what we do.”
Behind those words is a job that requires persistence.
It means making the calls, starting conversations, following up, building relationships and, sometimes, hearing “not now” before eventually finding a way forward.
For Jeevan, CRMY has taught him two things that are especially important in donor engagement:
Patience. And never giving up.
“Keep pushing. There is always a way.”
The people behind the support
What keeps Jeevan going is not simply securing a donation.
It is knowing that the people and organisations who choose to support CRMY care about the cause too.
To him, every conversation is an opportunity to help someone understand what CRMY does and perhaps inspire them to become part of the mission.
Opening doors to new possibilities-Jeevan connects with potential candidates during a CRMY lab tour, giving them a glimpse into the people and science behind the mission.
He admits there has not been one particular donor interaction that stands out above all others.
Instead, the meaningful part is seeing supporters continue to stand behind CRMY.
And perhaps that is where his role becomes more than simply fundraising.
He is building connections between people who want to make a difference and an organisation working to create better outcomes for people affected by cancer.
Always there, always pushing
Donor engagement can be demanding work.
There are targets to meet, relationships to nurture and plenty of persistence required behind the scenes. Yet those who work alongside Jeevan know another side of him too.
Even when the work gets stressful, he has a way of delivering a joke with a completely straight face.
And then, just like that, he is back to work.
Learning, connecting and growing together-Jeevan with CRMY colleagues at the Endoscopy Workshop 2026
At CRMY events, he is often there meeting supporters, engaging partners, helping the team and doing what he does best: opening doors.
Because for Jeevan, giving up is not really an option.
Nearly two years at CRMY have reinforced his belief that there is always another conversation to have, another person to reach and another way to move forward.
Representing CRMYbeyond the lab-Jeevan with CTSB at the Genetix booth, connecting people with CRMY’s work and the possibilitie of better cancer outcome.
His hope for CRMY is equally simple:
To contribute towards a future where fewer people develop and die from cancer.
When work brought two lives together
Of course, there is another reason Jeevan’s CRMY journey is particularly special.
This is the organisation where he met Shivaani.
His first impression of her?
“She was a real work and no play kind of girl.”
It is a wonderfully simple description and perhaps an indication of just how dedicated Shivaani has always been to her work.
Today, they are husband and wife, working in two very different parts of the same organisation.
While Shivaani works in cancer research, Jeevan works with donors and partners. Their roles may be different, but they give him an unexpected advantage.
He gets to ask her about cancer, understand the science better and use that knowledge when speaking to supporters about CRMY’s work.
In his words, it is a good thing.
And after watching Shivaani dedicate more than 17 years of her life to CRMY, what does he admire most about her?
Her dedication to the cause.
For Jeevan, that dedication says a lot about the person she is.
Two different roles. One shared purpose.
Their story is a fitting reflection of what CRMY represents.
A scientist working to understand cancer and improve outcomes.
A donor engagement professional working to bring people and resources together to sustain that work.
Different paths, different responsibilities but ultimately, one shared mission.
From two colleagues who first crossed paths at CRMY to life partners- Jeevan and Shivaani begin a new chapter together carrying with them a shared journey, a shared purpose and a love that began where they both found their calling.
For Jeevan, being part of that mission as a Malaysian is something he feels both honoured and humbled by.
He describes CRMY as a Malaysian organisation that is people-centric and committed to making a difference for the country.
And when asked to describe his own journey at CRMY in just one sentence, his answer is characteristically simple:
“Unbelievably wonderful.”
Perhaps that is the best way to describe a journey that began with wanting to learn about healthcare, grew into a commitment to helping CRMY move forward, and brought him alongside a wife whose own journey has been deeply rooted in the same organisation.
Two people.
Two very different roles.
One shared purpose, to help build a future where fewer people develop and die from cancer.
Together, we can keep opening doors
Jeevan’s story is also a reminder that every donation begins with a connection.
A conversation.
A person willing to listen.
A supporter willing to believe in the work.
And a community willing to stand behind the mission.
For 25 years, CRMY’s work has been strengthened by the generosity of our donors, supporters, partners, corporations, foundations, government bodies and members of the public who believe that cancer research can make a difference.
Your support gives our scientists and teams the opportunity to keep researching, discovering, collaborating and working towards better outcomes for Malaysians and Asians.
As we celebrate Hari Malaysia, we thank every individual and organisation who has walked alongside CRMY and helped us move forward.
Thank you for opening doors with us, believing in the mission and being part of the journey.
Together, let us continue working towards a future where fewer people develop and die from cancer.