HOT & COLD Charity Run 2018 gets Malaysians to run for an AIDS-free nation

Malaysian Celebrities, Vanidah Imran and Rashidi Ishak lead the 5km race at the Malaysian AIDS Foundation HOT & COLD Charity Run 2018.

KUALA LUMPUR, 16 September 2018 — The Malaysian AIDS Foundation's HOT & COLD Charity Run 2018 was not only a fund-raising initiative. It also sought to promote the foundation's goal to ending AIDS and stand in solidarity with people living with and affected by HIV. Jointly organised by the Malaysian AIDS Foundation (MAF) and the Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya (FOMUM), the run was held on 16 September 2018 (Sunday) at the University of Malaya.

The Charity Run attracted more than 1,700 runners. There was a selection of races for families and individual runners to choose from which included the 10km, 5km, and 3km races.

The 1st Hot & Cold Charity Run last year was organised to celebrate the heroic feats of two extraordinary young men, Jeff Lau and Jerry Song a medical student at UM, who successfully conquered two of the world’s toughest foot races in opposing hot and cold climate extremes - the 9th 6633 Arctic Ultra and the Gobi March respectively -- in their bid to raise awareness about HIV and AIDS.

Their participation was more than a test of stamina and grit. It was to inspire young Malaysians to erase stigma and lead the fight to end AIDS.

Professor Dato' Dr. Adeeba Kamarulzaman ,MAF’s Chairman who also a Dean of the Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya (centre) and Malaysian Celebrities, Vanidah Imran and Rashidi Ishak with joint-organisers Malaysian AIDS Foundation (MAF) and the Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya (FOMUM).

Professor Dato' Dr. Adeeba Kamarulzaman who is MAF’s Chairman and also Dean of the Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya said, “We are delighted to unite Malaysians to participate in this run on Malaysia Day. This charity event is an avenue to raise the level of consciousness within the community on ways to prevent HIV/AIDS and fight against discrimination”.

This year, the organisers raised more than RM 200,000 in support of two important programmes

1. The HIV/AIDS prevention and education programme for youth, by MAF.

2. The Alumni Welfare and Students Development Fund, by FOMUM.

The money raised will be channelled to MAF’s various AIDS and HIV related awareness and prevention campaign such as Ending AIDS by 2030 that envisages a 90 per cent reduction in new HIV infections within the next 12 years and enable MAF to raise awareness to people in key populations affected by HIV – often marginalised due to HIV stigma. Strong smart partnerships with key stakeholders across all sectors – government, corporate, civil society – have been the cornerstone of the national AIDS response and will continue to be in the Ending AIDS by 2030 phase.

As joint partner of the Charity Run, the University of Malaya’s Alumni Society from the Faculty of Medicine also raised funds for their TABUNG ALUMNI, which will be channelled towards the betterment of the faculty, students and infrastructure.

Among those who took part in the run are members of this alumni. They included Professor Emeritus Dato' Paduka Dr. Khairuddin Mohamed Yusof, who served the university for 25 years. He was Deputy Vice-Chancellor until 1989 and a Professor of Social Obstetrics & Gynaecology by the time he retired. Passionate about endurance sports (triathlons and marathons) he took up the Ironman Challenge at the age of 64. At his current age of 80, it was an inspiration to see him among the runners at the Charity Run. He was joined by fellow Professor Imelda Balchin, who is now Professor and Consultant Obstetrician & Gynaecologist with a subspecialist accreditation in Maternal and Fetal Medicine (RCOG, UK) and Associate Professor Dr. Mimiwati Zahari, a Consultant Ophthalmologist and also a seasoned runner.

Professor Emeritus Dato' Paduka Dr. Khairuddin Mohamed Yusof (right) handing out top prize for first place 10KM Male Runner category.

Professor Emeritus Dato' Paduka Dr. Khairuddin Mohamed Yusof (right) handing out top prize for first place 10KM Female Runner category.

This year's HOT & COLD Charity Run 2018 was made possible by a number of well-known sponsors, including Malaysian Global Innovation and Creativity Centre (Magic), Durex, Lee Foundation, Pharmaniaga Biomedical Sdn Bhd, Serba Dinamik Group Berhad, Lot 100 Berhad, MAA Group Berhad, UMW Corporation, Permodalan Nasional Berhad, and a number of supporting partners. The Charity Run also enlisted three corporate teams to take part in the run including Standard Chartered who fielded a strong running team of 150 runners and enlisted 150 volunteers to help with the preparation leading up to the event.