On 12th June 2025 in Kota Kinabalu, something special happened. Something that reminded us why we do what we do.

In a room filled with hospital directors, navigators, ministry officials, and long-time supporters, Cancer Research Malaysia signed not one… not two… but SIX Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) with districts in Sabah. These MoUs mark a major step forward in expanding our Pink Ribbon Centre Programme to improve access to cancer care for women in East Malaysia, especially those living in rural or remote communities.

The signing took place in the presence of Health Minister YB Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad and directors from the six hospitals involved: Hospital Wanita dan Kanak-kanak Sabah (Dr. Yogendera A/L Panchalingam), Hospital Tawau (Dr Norlimah Binti Arsad), Hospital Duchess of Kent, Sandakan (Dr Mohd Fahmie Othman), Hospital Keningau (Dr Ridhwan Bin Hashim), Hospital Beaufort (Dr Sutharsan A/L Kannan), and Hospital Kota Marudu (Dr Lydiarita M. Marajin).

We were also proud to be joined by representatives from our long-standing partners. Yayasan PETRONAS sent their CEO, Shariah Nelly Francis, together with Jasper J Diego, Senior Manager, PETRONAS Sabah & Labuan Regional Office and Richi Cravley Jaitin, Executive, PETRONAS Sabah & Labuan. Yayasan Sime Darby was represented by Bonaventure Wong Soon Leong, Regional Head of Sime Darby Industrial Sabah, and Hardianto Topaah Antoneus, Branch Head of Sime Darby Industrial Kota Kinabalu. Their ongoing support has played a key role in making this programme a reality.

As our CEO Andy Khoo shared, “The Patient Navigation Programme is the result of years of hard work, collaboration and the unwavering support of our donors. We are especially thankful to Yayasan Sime Darby for supporting the early stages of this initiative, and to Yayasan PETRONAS for helping us scale its impact. Their trust and commitment have allowed us to bring life-saving care to more women across Malaysia, especially those in underserved communities.”

What made the event even more memorable was seeing the teamwork behind it. The Pink Ribbon Centre team at Hospital Queen Elizabeth II (HQE II) worked late nights to get everything ready, from setup to rehearsals. Their dedication paid off.

Our Chief Scientific Officer, Professor Dr Cheong Sok Ching, was especially excited to introduce our nurse navigators and community navigators to our donors. It was an important moment, not just for visibility, but for donors to better understand what these navigators do and why their role matters so deeply in a woman’s cancer journey.

The Pink Ribbon Centre Programme, developed by CRMY and recognised by the World Health Organization, pairs breast cancer patients with trained navigators who guide them through screening, diagnosis, and treatment.

With the programme already in place at HQE II since 2019, expanding to six more district hospitals will strengthen continuity of care for women who often travel long distances to access treatment.

It’s a timely move. According to the National Cancer Registry Report 2021 – 2025, breast cancer is still the most common cancer among women in Malaysia, with an incidence rate of 38.9 per 100,000. Many of these cases are detected late, especially among women in remote or lower-income communities.

The expansion also builds on the success of other Pink Ribbon Centres across Klang, Kuching, Kota Kinabalu, and Seremban, which have achieved a 98% treatment adherence rate, a testament to what’s possible when support is consistent and care is accessible.

While we celebrate this progress in Sabah, we’re already looking ahead. We hope to bring the same level of support to Miri, Bintulu, and Sibu in Sarawak and we invite new partners and donors to join us in making it happen.

Together, we can ensure that no one is left behind, no matter where they live.

Do your part in the fight against breast cancer. Donate now and help us expand breast cancer care in Malaysia.

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