Press Release: TESCO Walk For Life 2013

TESCO LAUNCHES WALK FOR LIFE 2013
Register Now and Walk In Support of ‘Helping Children with Leukaemia’ (HCWL)

KUALA LUMPUR, September 27, 2013 –Tesco Malaysia, in escalating its efforts to Help Children with Leukaemia today launched its sixth annual Walk for Life 2013 at University of Malaya Medical Centre (UMMC) in support of underprivileged children suffering from leukaemia.



Under the theme of 'Helping Children with Leukaemia’, the Walk for Life is one of Tesco Malaysia’s fundraising efforts aimed to raise RM1 million to help 100 children with leukaemia from underprivileged backgrounds within three years. The 5-kilometre fun walk which is set to take place on Sunday, 17 November 2013 will be held at the scenic University of Malaya Kuala Lumpur campus, and is jointly organised by Tesco Malaysia and University Malaya Medical Centre (UMMC).

Present at the launch was Azlam Shah Alias, Tesco Malaysia Director of Government Relations & Corporate Affairs, Lee Ann Low, Tesco Malaysia Head of Corporate Social Responsibility, Professor Dr. Hany Ariffin, Senior Consultant Paediatric Oncologist at UMMC and supportive celebrities Vince Chong and Vanessa Chong who also visited the children’s ward.

The Walk for Life is expected to raise RM50,000 to help bear cost of medication, treatment and hospital travel expenses for young leukaemia patients.



“With proper medical care and treatment, the underprivileged children we’ve seen suffering from leukaemia have every chance to lead healthy and normal lives. Given the fantastic work at the Paediatric Oncology Ward at UMMC, we’ve seen the remarkable cure rates of 85 percent amongst leukaemia patients. We would like to take the opportunity to encourage the public and corporations to do your part and join us at our exciting Walk For Life 2013. These funds will go a long way to provide for medical treatments for the children,” said Azlam Shah Alias.

In addition to the walk, the event will also feature fun and exciting activities such as a Clubcard Cop!Cop! Day Challenge where Tesco Clubcard members participating in the Walk will have the chance to win up to 1,000,000 Clubcard points (worth RM10,000). To win Clubcard Cop! Cop! Day Challenge, participants would have to race through a series of obstacles including carnival games, a water barricade, a tyre challenge, a maze and ‘Speedy Gonzales’.



“Medical supplies and treatment costs for leukaemia patients can be very costly and many families from poor socio-economic backgrounds are not able to support the additional burden of hospitals bills, loss of income and travel costs in sending their child to the hospital frequently for treatment. We would like to use this fun walk as an opportunity to encourage our customers, vendors, suppliers and the general public to join us and make a difference. Young survivors of leukaemia will also be joining us for the walk to encourage and motivate other patients still undergoing treatment. Together, we can help motivate these children and families in hopes for a better life,” added Azlam.



Since the launch of Helping Children with Leukaemia campaign in August 2012, Tesco has raised over RM500,000 for the University of Malaya Medical Centre. The funds to help finance the children’s treatments are disbursed on a quarterly basis to deserving children with leukaemia identified by University of Malaya Medical Centre.

Giving an account on the success of Tesco’s Helping Children with Leukaemia programme, Prof. Dr. Hany Ariffin said, “Since the launch of the programme last year, 14 underprivileged children with leukaemia have benefited from the funds raised by Tesco. In fact, some of the children have made significant recovery and have returned to school. We are deeply appreciative of the support we have received from Tesco thus far and we hope that we can continue to help more children receive the treatment and care they so desperately need.”



Registration for the Walk For Life 2013 is now open. Sign up now at any Tesco stores in Klang Valley or UMMC or visit www.tesco.com.my for more details.

Participation fees are RM15 for adults and RM10 for children (ages seven to 17). Families of four can also sign up under the family package for RM40. All children under the age of seven are allowed to participate for free. All registered participants will also receive a T-Shirt, starter breakfast and Tesco Green Bag with goodies. Registration closes 3 November 2013.