28th February 2021 – Pantai Jerudong Specialist Centre (PJSC) together with the leaders of Brunei Darussalam marked the finale of the World Cancer Day (WCD) celebration and reaffirms their pledge to fight cancer in a World Cancer Day Weekend event on Sunday, 28th February 2021 at Open Plaza Area, Yayasan Shopping Complex. World Cancer Day is celebrated annually on the 4th of February around the world by various institutions with the main goal of increasing awareness towards cancer and to encourage its prevention, early detection, screening, and treatment that can save lives and help to reduce the health economic burden. The number of new cancer cases in Brunei Darussalam continues to increase annually. In 2019, there were a total of 704 cancer cases diagnosed in the country as compared to 644 cancer cases in 2018.

The event was attended by special guests, Yang Berhormat Dato Seri Setia Dr Awang Haji Mohd Amin Liew Bin Abdullah, Minister of Finance and Economy II and Chairman of PJSC, Yang Berhormat Dato Seri Setia Dr Haji Awang Mohd Isham Bin Haji Jaafar, Minister of Health and Deputy Chairman of PJSC, Yang Berhormat Pehin Orang Kaya Seri Kerna Dato Seri Setia Dr. Haji Awang Abu Bakar bin Haji Apong, Minister of Home Affairs, Yang Berhormat Pehin Datu Lailaraja Major Jeneral (B) Dato Paduka Seri Haji Awang Halbi, Minister of Defense II, Yang Berhormat Dato Seri Setia Haji Awang Abdul Mokti Bin Haji Mohd Daud, Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office, Yang Berhormat Dato Seri Setia Haji Erywan Bin Pehin Datu Pekerma Jaya Haji Mohd Yusof, Minister of Foreign Affairs II, Yang Berhormat Dato Seri Setia Ir. Awang Haji Suhaimi Bin Haji Gafar, Minister of Development, Yang Berhormat Dato Seri Setia Dr Awang Haji Mat Suny Bin Haji Mohd Hussein, Minister of Energy, Yang Berhormat Dato Seri Setia Awang Abdul Mutalib Bin Pehin Orang Kaya Seri Setia Dato Paduka Haji Mohammad Yusof, Minister of Transport and Infocommunications and Yang Berhormat Major General (R) Dato Paduka Seri Haji Aminuddin Ihsan, Minister of Culture Youth & Sports, and their spouses. Also present during the event were the Honourable members of the Legislative Council, deputy ministers, foreign dignitaries, Wu Chun, PJSC’s Goodwill Ambassador and Messenger of Cancer Awareness, the cancer survivors, event sponsors and partners.

The World Cancer Day Weekend event was officiated with a ribbon cutting ceremony by all attending honourable Cabinet Ministers and Wu Chun followed by the release of balloons and a launch of trishaws that journey over a 2KM route bearing the 3-year campaign message of “I Am and I Will”. 2021 marks the final year of a 3-year campaign beginning in 2019 whereby “I Am And I Will” is an empowering call to action and a reminder that the enduring power of cooperation and collective actions matter for a healthier, brighter world without cancer. This years’ campaign theme – “Together All Our Actions Matter” urges personal, community and leaders’ commitment to create a future without cancer. As PJSC’s Goodwill Ambassador and Messenger of Cancer Awareness, Wu Chun who is also an International Celebrity said, “Let us remember that we all have a voice and the power to influence others through a domino effect to act towards a cancer free future. I am a Bruneian and I will use my voice and my resources to speak up about cancer and what we can all do about it. Prevention is better than cure.”

The event continued with the presentation of certificates to event sponsors and partners presented by Yang Berhormat Dato Seri Setia Dr Awang Haji Mohd Amin Liew Bin Abdullah, Minister of Finance and Economy II and Chairman of PJSC.

The event showcased talented artwork by the cancer patients and cancer survivors in collaboration with The Rainforest Gallery under the guidance of Dato Paduka Awg Hj Shofry bin Hj Abd Ghafor. The artwork symbolizes the courageous journey of those touched by cancer in a psychotherapeutic way. Cancer survivors were also present to talk about their healing journey that was expressed through these artworks.

Tai Chi, an ancient Chinese martial art was also delivered and participated by guests at the event in collaboration with the Ministry of Culture Youth and Sports and delivered by Master Zhao Chun Jie, Brunei’s National Wu Shu Coach to encourage physical activity and exercise – one of the crucial weapons against cancer and many other non-communicable diseases. Tai Chi had been known to positively contribute to the health and well-being of individuals including that of cancer patients.

Through this event, PJSC also reached out to the public by organizing an opportunity for the public to meet PJSC’s cancer experts and staffs of the various specialty departments including but not limited to the Early Detection and Cancer Prevention (EDCP) Services, the Nuclear Medicine Department, the Radiotherapy Department, all of which are under The Brunei Cancer Centre (TBCC) and also from the Maxillofacial, Facial Plastic Reconstructive Centre (MFPRSC) with the aim to educate – debunk myths and alleviate the fear of early detection and its treatment. Also present was the Non-Communicable Disease (NCD) Prevention Unit, Ministry of Health with the aim to further increase public awareness on the National Cancer Screening Programme. Exhibitors from various institutions including Governmental, Non-Governmental Organizations (NGO), event partners and sponsors including but not limited to Bank Islam Brunei Darussalam (BIBD), Progresif and Jerudong Park Medical Centre (JPMC), and vendors namely Boost Juice, Seedbox, Fuel’d, Rans Coffee and Tampd Koffee were also present to render their support.

Earlier this month, PJSC lit up its building in blue and orange joining the world to shine a light on World Cancer Day, and also organised ‘An Expression Of Support Through Music And Songs For World Cancer Day” on the 4th February, with their event partner Expression Music (EM) Academy.  Staffs of The Brunei Cancer Centre (TBCC) of PJSC and EM Academy showcased a musical performance and choir to express support to all cancer fighters and survivors through music and songs. In addition, this year, PJSC is also hosting an “I Am And I Will Virtual Run” with event partner Aewon where over 600 participants had pledged their support to this campaign. The “I Am And I Will Virtual Run” has started since 7th February 2021 and will end on 30th April 2021.

For more information, please do not hesitate to contact The Pantai Jerudong Specialist Centre (PJSC) at enquiries@pjscbrunei.com or call directly +673 261 3333 ext. 1055 for more details.

Source: Pantai Jerudong Specialist Centre
Photos: Progresif Sdn Bhd

https://progresif.com/pantai-jerudong-specialists-centre-pjsc-reaffirms-its-pledge-to-fight-cancer-in-the-world-cancer-day-weekend-event/