WB SHARMAN ARUMUGAM OF EDWARD HOLIDAY LODGE No. 7997 E.C. CYCLES 700KM IN THE NAME OF CHARITY

Sepeda Amal Borneo: a 700km bike ride to fight cervical cancer

Kuching to Bintulu, over six days from 15 July until 20 JULY 2023

The Sepeda Amal Borneo 2023 charity cycling event was organised by the Malaysian Medical Association in support of Rose Foundation. WB Sharman Arumugam, the current Worshipful Master of Edward Holiday Lodge No. 7997 E. C. was one of the 20 cyclists including two cancer survivors who cycled 730km from Kuching to Bintulu, over six days from 15 -20th July 2023 to raise funds for cervical cancer screening for marginalised (B40) women in Sarawak.

Edward Holiday Lodge led by WM Sharman managed to raise RM14,000 for the event.  The District Board of Benevolence generously supported this noble cause matched every Ringgit, Makepeace Lodge raised, one for one bringing the total amount contributed by to RM28,000.

The donation is in support of the ROSE Foundation (Removing Obstacles to Cervical Screening) to provide facilities with the aim to make cervical screening more acceptable and accessible to women. The vision of the foundation is “A Cervical Cancer Free Future for Women in Malaysia” Cervical cancer is one of the most common cancers affecting women, and it's estimated that over 500,000 women worldwide are diagnosed with cervical cancer each year. It's a serious disease that can have a significant impact on women and their families.

Cervical cancer is a preventable disease. In Malaysia, cervical cancer is the top 3 most common cancer among women, affecting women in the prime of their lives – 3 out of 4 women in Malaysia with cervical cancer are below the age of 64. Cervical cancer cases are caused by high-risk HPV (Human Papillomavirus) amounting to 99 percent of all cases.

Although readily available at many healthcare centres, only 25 percent of eligible women had a pap smear done from 2013 to 2017. Designed specifically for Malaysian women, program ROSE features self-sampling by women themselves to test for HPV with a secure, digital e-health platform to ensure proper communication and follow up post testing. This evidence-based approach can save lives and spare women and families from the suffering and financial hardship associated with cervical cancer. By donating to the Rose Foundation, we work towards a future where cervical cancer is no longer a threat to women's health and also a positive impact on the lives of women in Malaysia.

One can only imagine how tiring six days of cycling must have been. Congratulations to WB Sharman Arumugam and the other participants for their tremendous efforts.