The Malaysian Red Crescent (MRC) Penang chapter raised approximately RM500,000 through its latest fundraising dinner.
The generosity of donors and benefactors was praised by MRC national chairman Tan Sri Tunku Puteri Intan Safinaz.
In her speech during the dinner at a hotel, Tunku Puteri Intan Safinaz commended the Penang chapter for being one of the most active chapters. She highlighted their organization of essential training programs in first aid, pre-hospital care, and disaster relief.
Tunku Puteri Intan Safinaz also shared that MRC Penang collected an impressive 3,093 pints of blood for hospital patients in the first seven months of this year. During the same period, the members registered 101 organ donation pledges and collected 250 buccal samples for stem cell donation.
The growth of MRC nationwide was also acknowledged by Tunku Puteri Intan Safinaz.
Some 780 guests attended the MRC Penang fundraising dinner. —Photos: ZHAFARAN NASIB/The Star
“So far, 126,427 members have signed up through our online Volunteer Management System (VMS) platform,” she added.
She expressed gratitude to Zhulian Industries Sdn Bhd for donating RM80,000, Lions Club for contributing a mechanical cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) automated device worth RM70,000, and Deputy Finance Minister II Steven Sim Chee Keong for donating 10 automated external defibrillator (AED) trainer sets worth RM20,000.
The dinner guests included Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow, MRC Penang chapter chairman Datuk Seri Lim Tiong Chin, deputy chairman Datuk Loh Nam Hooi, MRC secretary-general Hakim Hamzah, and national treasurer James Kon.
In his speech, Chow acknowledged MRC as a crucial partner in rescue and disaster relief efforts, highlighting the Community-Based Ambulance Service (ComBase) initiated in 2008.
MRC launched its Easy Transfer service using MPV equipped with automatic wheelchair capabilities in 2021. — Filepic
“In April 2022, the Taman Iping station in Batu Maung was integrated into the Health Ministry’s Hotspot Programme, enabling the ambulances to be available 24/7 pending dispatches from the 999 emergency call center,” Chow mentioned.
Chow also highlighted that the ambulances were available for patient transfers between hospitals and homes on request.
Alan Lau, the fundraising dinner organizing chairman, announced that the MRC Penang chapter was hosting its largest-ever annual dinner, accommodating 78 tables. The dinner also marked the 75th anniversary of MRC.
Lau reiterated the organization’s commitment to its core mission of providing humanitarian aid and relief.
Credit: The Star : Metro Feed
