Orchid Day

The long awaited Orchid Day is finally here. BCWA's very inaugural Orchid Day was on the 5th March, the first Friday of 2010 and subsequently, the first Friday of March every year will be OUR Orchid day. This year, however, Orchid Day ran from 5th t0 8th, in conjunction with International Women Day which falls on the eventful 8th. The timing is just right; more reason to celebrate Orchid Day and International Women Day. As Orchid Day's tagline rightfully said, "Everyone for Every Woman".

Though Orchid Day was only a short four day event, but pre Orchid Day had begun as early as August 2009, when Natalie Wust from the Cancer Council Queensland made her trip here to BCWA. Together, we planned, sourced, researched and fine-tuned for Orchid Day. Then, not to forget, it took us another few months to approach potential supporters from hotels to hospitals to schools to corporate organizations.

After all is done, we went all out to recruit volunteers to man the initial numbers of 20 Orchid Day sites. However, we reduced to 17 sites as we were not able to find more volunteers. Despite such fact, we had recruited approximately 100 volunteers for the four days. Simply amazing, wasn't it?

A very BIG thank you to all our volunteers. You made it happen!

Nevetheless, the biggest fear / havoc / commotion / etc came TWO fine days before the actual Orchid Day. It came in the form of box- many, many, many countless boxes. The 20,000 friggin' stalks of Orchid had finally reached BCWA doorsteps. And for one second, your mind stopped. Obviously, our visual capabilites had failed us. When we think 20,000, we think 20,000. Never in our wildest dream, 20,000 came in many, many, big, big boxes that practically filled out entire (almost) BCWA office. Okay, okay, the fact was we only had 19,900 stalks but do you really think 100 will make any huge difference? It was only ONE box less- that was it!

Then, we were hit by another pain. We need to take all 19,900 stalks out from the box because these orchids need to be put in upright position and by confining them in the miserable small box, your orchids might not even last for another couple of days. All these could only be described in one word- pain, pain and pain.

The next day, we had steady stream of volunteers coming in to BCWA to help us re-pack these orchids for sale. Thank you so very much again.

The first day of Orchid Day started off rather shakily. Volunteers were confused at the location, staff were not informed of Orchid Day; thus not allowing the volunteers to set up the booths, volunteers came in late for the shift and other minor headaches. But, the second, third and forth day of Orchid Day was a breeze. Well, not so breeze after all, when two staff started to fall sick and impromptu changes needed to be made to ensure a smooth operation. Kudos to the ladies who stick to it for the whole four days! We know it had been agonizing and you must have been longing to wrap yourself in your comforter and soak your poor feet in a bucket of lukewarm water. Kudos, kudos and kudos!

Despite the hiccups, Orchid Day was a fabulous success to us. All the 19,900 stalks were sold out. The response from the public was both good and bad. Some simply ignored and avoided our eyes but some were so enthusiastics that they made sure all their friends bought something from us.

We had a total of 21 Orchid Day sites altogether. The additional four comprised Taylor's College Subang Jaya and Sri Hartamas campus, Traders Hotel and Nextnation Network Sdn Bhd. Thank you so much for your endless support. Other than that, we also need to extend our appreciation to KL Monorail, Kelana Jaya Line LRT, Sungei Wang Plaza, Mid Valley Megamall, Sunway Pyramid, TGV Cinemas, Pantai Hospital Kuala Lumpur, Prince Court Medical Centre, Traders Hotel Kuala Lumpur, Star Publication (M) Bhd, AMP Radio, Citta Bella and Red Tomato.

Thank you, thank you and thank you. Orchid Day will be back on the 4th March 2011, so mark you calendar!!! We want to see you again!!

Outrageously Pink Nite (OPN) 2009

Men in what??!! Yes, you heard us right. On 17th of November last year, ten hunks from the Harley Owners Group (HOG) Malaysian Chapter donned specially modified brassieres (courtesy of Xixili Intima) and rode on their big machines to Bangsar Village 2 with ten ladies from the Pink Challengers as pillion riders.

The process of these hunks putting on the bra with the ladies watching was quite amusing to watch. Practically, the evening was filled with assorted incessant remarks from "not comfortable-lah", "so troublesome", "like that can support ah" to the more emphatic ones, "now I understand how women feel", "so kesian ah' would actually made one to re-consider the fact that men could be quite a pain at times (and yet, they said women talk too much!)

He was supposed to show a victimised expression (because of his bra design) but he looked like he was asking for fight instead.


The excited Pink Challengers


The excited ladies and the equally excited bikers!

Needless to say, the HOGS with the Pink Challengers created quite a buzz with the crowd at Bangsar Village 2. But, nothing could beat the thunderous cheer when five glamorous ladies of BCWA emerged from Mini Coopers in style. Ann Lee, Carmen Lai, Christy Lee, Magerak Doraisamy and Dr Zaharah Aiyub were the five ladies of BCWA who braved all and took to the catwalk. The transformation into professional models were simply amazing as they strutted down the catwalk with poise and confidence.

The rest of the night had fun-filled activities lined-up to keep the audience entertained. There were performances by KL Drumline Corps, Salsa by DanceKL.com, Laughter Yoga, Swing by KL Swing, Sem Poi Fire Crew, Jazz Exercise and Bhangra Jam by Celebrity Fitness, singing performance by Juwita Suwito and Elvira Arul amongst others. Did we mention Renee Aziz abseiled the wall of Bangsar Village 2 to mark the opening of OPN?


The Pink Challengers won second place in the Radiology Malaysia- OPN Digital Video Contest 2009, showcasing a short video with real footage of life after breast cancer. In fact, the video is still available for viewing at www.radiologymalaysia.org/opn2009 .

OPN 2009 was sponsored by Bangsar Village 2 and organised in collaboration with Venusbuzz, the College of Radiology Academy of Medicine Malaysia, Lariche Community and the Malaysia Breast Cancer Council (MBCC) of which BCWA is a founding member.

MBCC aims to disseminate accurate knowledge and evidence-based information on breast health and breast cancer, and, at the same time, demystifying the myths associated with breast cancer diagnosis, treatment, prevention and such. OPN, last held in 2004, is a breast cancer awareness event. It also served as a celebration of life for breast cancer survvivors. The proceeds from OPN were channelled to the University Malaya Medical Centre Breast Cancer Fund.

My Story

In October 2007 my Mum called me on the phone to break the shocking news that she was diagnosed with breast cancer. I could not believe that my strong mother the one and only indestructible Zaharah could get breast cancer? I could not control myself and started crying over the phone.

We were all shocked as she would be the last person to get breast cancer because she has been very health conscious all this while. She is our hero who has endured a range of treatments: surgery, chemotherapy and radiation. Despite having to undergo the side effects of the treatment, she seems to be always in high spirits.

Cancer comes as a destructive intruder in our life. It came when everything seems to be going smoothly in our lives. We were caught off balance and it took some time for us to recover.

Cancer has transformed my mum into a dragon slayer. She keeps on slaying the intruder now without fail whenever she paddles the dragon boat with other fellow survivors. She knew that it’s better not to be bitter about it but be a better person.

My Mum is lucky her cancer was detected early through mammogram. It is very important for ladies to have regular checkups and mammograms so that immediate treatment could be administered to combat the disease.

Zain Putra Baharuddin, 21 years, final year student University Of Davis, California

Zaharah (the last row) and the Pink Challengers embarked on their Penang Channel Challenge where they paddled 3.8km from Bagan Ajam, Butterworth to Tanjong City Marina, Pulau Pinang last March.

Thank you Zaharah and Zain for sharing with us. We hope this story will inspire those who are going through their journey with breast cancer as well as those who are struggling to keep afloat for their loved ones undergoing her battle with breast cancer. This story hopes to tell you that you are not alone in your journey and as Zaharah is living it now, breast cancer is not a DEATH sentence.

Zaharah (front row, right) with the members of the Pink Challengers after completing their race in the 1st Putrajaya International Dragon Boat Festival last June. The Pink Challengers took part in five races; Breast Cancer Survivor Race and 2000m Marathon were among them.

If you know anyone who is going through breast cancer journey, lend your support to them. Or, call us at 03-7954 0133 so we can support them. If you want to know how you can help women with breast cancer, give us a call at 03-7954 0133.

New Merchandises Available at BCWA

Hi all,

We have two new interesting items available at BCWA.

Presenting you Item A... Please click to enlarge and scrutinize

Looks tricky, huh? This creative invention is called Chollie Bra Hanger and it does what it does- it is a bra hanger. With this, you can now shed your worries on how and where. And, it helps to prolong the shelf life of your lovely bras too!


Comes in a set of 3 (with two attractive shades of pink), it is priced at RM12. Come and get it at BCWA.

And now, presenting you with Item B... Simply click to enlarge



Known as gin & Jacqie Breast Cancer Awareness Bag, the print is actually the winning design from the gin & Jacqie Breast Cancer Awareness Bag Print Design Contest (yes, we know the names are pretty long) which started since May. The winner is a male-surprise! surprise!

While the design is intricate and can be hard to decipher (that's why you call it art), it described the psychological aspect of women with breast cancer where she will be empowered as she weaves through the complicated twist of love and the ensuing changes which is akin to women who are undergoing their breast cancer journey where their faith and love will be put to the test. Yes, yes, we know you will be asking which part of the design tells the story, but art is suppose to be that way. And, it is the winning design afterall-it has the highest votes!

Anyway, it is available at Isetan KLCC and The Gardens, TANGS Pavilion, Cziplee Stationary Store Bangsar and Inner Secret Stores and online via www.emmagem.com and www.ginjacqie.com for only RM18 each. You can get it from BCWA too!

Let us know!

A Letter to My Mom

This letter was by Jessy's son and was given to her when she was undergoing her chemotherapy. Needless to say, this letter has brought his mom so much courage to put up a brave battle. Jessy has been a breast cancer survivor for almost two years.

With the support she received from her loving husband and children, not only she walked through her battle, she has also used her experience to make a difference. She shares, cheers, encourages, supports and educates another woman going through the same journey she had been before. Breast cancer may have hit her, threatened and frightened her but she has never let it defeat her. Her cancer journey has never been easy but it also the same journey that has changed her outlook in life completely.

Her message: If you do get breast cancer, be brave, have the courage to face it even amidst all the fears. Get support from those who are knowledgeable and experienced.

Click to enlarge

Jessy and her son