MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT

We are pleased to be able to send out our first issue of “SURVIVOR”, our Quarterly Newsletter, to keep you informed of what is happening in The BCSG.

The BCSG’S theme this year is Towards Wellness.  As you can see, all our activities this year is in this direction.  There will be a health screening (to take care of our physiological health), talks on nutrition, cooking sessions on healthy dishes, exercises and lots of fun and laughter.  It is also to remind ourselves not to take our wellness for granted and that we have to work towards it.

So, do join us in the various activities. Vive la vie.

Ta.

Doris  

PS.  Don’t forget to buy your May 27 Charity Dinner and Line Dance ticketfrom me.  We need your support.  

2.  “LO HEI” – 4^th February 2006

Members met at our new Centre to Lo-Hei to usher in the new year.  Dr. Sarojah was guest of honour.  We had a sumptuous spread of local food : “yee sang”, johor laksa, mee johor … “

3.  CHINESE NEW YEAR GATHERING – 10^th February 2006

Our annual Chinese New Year Dinner at Fez was a reunion of old friends and new, as well as spouses of members.  100 people turned up. There was line dancing and “karaoking”.  The guest of honour was Dr. Hew.   We celebrated the birthdays of those born in February.  A couple of gallant husbands who were present gave flowers to a couple of the birthday girls. Lucky ladies! 

4.  VISIT BY NUS – 4^th March 2006

We had a visit by the National University of Singapore breast cancer support groups and oncology section.  43 visitors came led by Zarinah Hairom, Nurse Manager of Cancer Centre, Singapore.  There were also 3 guests from IWA, JB (Intl. Womens’ Assoc) - Millini Richard, the President, Chris Wong (the welfare team) and Jojo.    7 of our members were present to receive them.  It was an opportunity for us to exchange views with them and to let them know about our Centre.  Anna Lim from the National University Hospital gave a sharing session on “Being Positive”.

5.  PHYSIOTHERAPY TRAINING SESSIONS – 3^rd and 10^th March 2006

The two sessions, conducted by Pn Rahmah Mohd Nor, a physiotherapist from Hosp. Sultanah Aminah, were very useful and informative. There were also practical sessions on how to treat lymphodema.  Our Health Team attended the two sessions which were held at the Centre.

6.  ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING – 25^th March 2006

Our 2^nd AGM was held at the Puteri Pacific Hotel at RM 15/- per pax.  We were given 2 rooms for our meeting and another for the refreshments.  About 90 members turned up.  A new Executive Committee 2006/2007 was elected.  We also celebrated the birthdays of those born in March.

COMING EVENTS (up to June 2006)

If you would like to participate in these events, please call 07-3357211 (Contact : Ah Miau)

1.  HEALTH SCREENING – 23^rd April 2006

To be held at our Centre from 8.00 am to 2.00 pm. and is open to members, their families and friends.  The program includes : 

-     Checking your BMI and Blood Pressure

-     Learning Breast Self Examination

-     Health Exhibition

-     Making an appointment for pap smear at Tebrau Klinik

-     GT9 Blood Test by Gribbles for only RM 80/-

(No intake of food from mid-night before the test)

Energy drink and snacks will be provided after the test.

2  POPIAH GOTONG-ROYONG – 20^th May 2006

Our chef will be Mdm Kiew.  Ingredients will be prepared in our kitchen.  If you like chopping, cutting and cooking come and join in the fun. All members are invited to come and make their own popiah.  The gotong-royong starts at 9.00 am.

3.  CHARITY DINNER AND LINE DANCE - 27^th May 2006

Our once a year fund raising event will be held at Zon Regency Hotel, JB from 5.30 pm till midnight.  Tickets at RM 65/- may be purchased from Doris Boo at the Centre.  Phone bookings may be made with Ah Miau.  Come and dance, dine and win fabulous prizes at our Lucky Draw!

4.  WORLD SURVIVORS DAY - 3^rd June 2006

Our emphasis will be on healthy eating and food safety and we have scheduled 2 talks on this topic :

1.        Food Chemist, Chia Joo Suan, will give a talk on “Food that Boost the Immune System”.

2.       Dr Chew Boon Hock, a Consultant in organic farming and production of biofertilizers, will talk on “Organic Food and Organic Agriculture in Malaysia”.

We will keep you updated. Places are limited, please sign up with Ah Miau.

INTRODUCING …

… our new GIRL FRIDAY.  She is Ms Tan Miong Tiang a.k.a. Ah Miau.  Ah Miau will be manning the office Mondays to Fridays, from 9.00 am to 1.30 pm.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

-          Petty Cash Reimbursement is available on Wednesdays and Saturdays, from 2 pm till 5 pm. Please note that the President must approve on receipts before reimbursements can be done.

-          Conversational Mandarin will be held on Tuesdays from 11.00 am to 12 noon, starting 2^nd May.  Classes will be conducted by Teo Swee Kiew and is open to beginners only.  Please call Ah Miau to sign up.  Places are very limited.

ACTIVITIES – New Project

KNITTING CLASS – Tuesday, 18^th April 2006

Learn to knit a cotton shrug or shawl.  Classes will be held on Tuesdays at the Centre, beginning Tuesday, 18^th April at 10.30 am and will be conducted by Sin Foong.  You will require :  a pair of knitting needles, size 5.5mm and 2 balls of cotton yarn.  Should you wish to know exactly what the shrug and shawl look like, or the exact type of yarn to buy, please come to the Centre where we have the sample on display.

REMINDERS

We are still looking for :

-  a photographer (We have a brand new Konica Minolta Dimage X50 digital camera)

-  an additional translator (English / Mandarin), and,

-  someone to be in charge of our Gardening Section.

(Please contact Doris or Ah Miau at the centre if you are able to volunteer your time).

PREMISES

-     The front section of our centre has been cemented up.  An awning, with ceiling fans, will be added soon.  The front wall will be knocked down and a sliding door made.  This will definitely mean we will have more space for our get-togethers. Our M.D., Miki, deserves a pat on the back.

-     The Karaoke room has been done up because of the generous donation of karaoke enthusiasts.

Editorial :   Doris Boo ;  Nancy Khoo ;   Poh Luan Eng   ; Teresa Yeo  

THE BREAST CANCER SUPPORT GROUP, JOHOR BAHRU

No. 15, Jalan Rengas, Taman Meoldies, 80250 Johor Bahru

Tel/Fax: 607-3357211

ANNEX 1                                                                                                                      27^th May 2006

UPDATE ON HAPPENINGS

In addition to the scheduled events that were mentioned in our newsletter, some other interesting happenings took place :

CONVERSATIONAL MANDARIN CLASSES – 2^nd May 2006

Our conversational mandarin classes with 9 eager students took off on the 2^nd May under the tuterage of Teo Swee Kiew.  Very soon we should all be able to “jiăng huá yŭ” with correct pronunciation and intonation. 

VISIT TO BCSS SEGAMAT – 10^th May 2006

14 of us made the overnight trip to Segamat to bond with and support our sister organization, The Segamat Breast Cancer Society.  It was the society’s first Anniversary.  The celebrations began at 2.00 pm with talks by          on                        .  the Deputy Health Minister, Inche graced the occasion with his presence.  The day ended in grand style with a sumptious dinner attended by 500 people.  We visited the premises of the BCSS the next day and Mrs Loh, filled us in on the activity of the society and their plans for the future.  We Wish the BCSS all the best for the future and would like to thank them for their gracious hospitality during our visit.

NURSES AND MOTHERS’ DAY CELEBRATIONS  -  13^th May 2006

A tea-party was held at our premises to honour 2 very important groups of women who excel in dispensing tender loving care : our mothers and nurses. 

TZU CHI FOUNDATION HEALTH SCREENING – 21^st May 2006

We were invited by the Tzu Chi Buddist Charity Movement to participate in their health screening programme in Kulai.   A team of our survivors, nurses and supporters went to promote breast cancer awareness through an exhibition, teaching breast self examination as well as doing on-the-spot palpation.  

COMING EVENTS

1.   SURVIVOR FAMILY DAY  -  August

Trip sponsored by JB Tourist Association strictly for survivors and their families.  Destination has not yet been  confirmed.

2.  FASHION SHOW  -  September

Fashion Show at      Restaurant with our survivors as models.  Make a date to catch this Fashion Extravaganza and let our survivors show you, on the catwalk, that they can be as good as the professional “normal” models.

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