CROWD OF 500 TAKE TO THE HEIGHTS OF KUALA LUMPUR

 
Kidney patients celebrate with their family members and caregivers at the 15th Peritoneal Dialysis Patients’ Outing

Kuala Lumpur, 18th August 2007 – In the largest gathering to date, the annual PD (peritoneal dialysis) patients’ outing was attended by close to 500 kidney patients, along with their family members and caregivers from various hospitals around the Klang Valley. Running for its 15th year, this year’s excursion saw patients making their way to one of the nation’s prominent landmarks, the Eye on Malaysia at Taman Tasik Titiwangsa.

Jointly organised by Baxter Healthcare and Medi-Chem Systems, the outing is part of on-going efforts under the Freedom to Live campaign to further educate and raise public awareness on kidney disease and the availability of treatment options for renal failure. The outing is also a celebration of the lives of PD patients and their new found freedom and mobility despite a diagnosis of kidney failure.

“This year’s outing to the Eye on Malaysia portrays the hope and new lease of life enjoyed by these patients,” said Teo Ai Hong, BioScience and Renal Business Unit Manager for Baxter Healthcare Malaysia. “In the same way that The Eye offers visitors an alternative view of the city, so too does PD treatment provide patients with a different perspective and outlook on life.”

Kidney disease is a growing concern given the rising figures of new dialysis patients every year. Just last year alone, 3,152 patients were started on dialysis for end stage renal disease (ESRD) in Malaysia.

Fortunately, advancements in treatment for renal failure have made it possible for kidney patients to lead a better quality of life, which is as close to normal as possible. Peritoneal dialysis, for instance, is the least restrictive among the dialysis alternatives, thus enabling patients to enjoy an active and independent lifestyle which includes work and travel.

“I am thankful that I am still able to earn a steady income in spite of my condition,” said Radziah Harun, a PD patient whose husband and two daughters were with her at the outing. “In times where the cost of living is escalating, being able to support my husband in providing for our family’s needs is something I am able to do while on PD,” she continued.

Kidney patients from University Malaya Medical Centre (UMMC), Hospital Kuala Lumpur (HKL), Hospital Tengku Ampuan Rahimah, Hospital Selayang and Hospital Serdang were treated to a dinner at a nearby restaurant before boarding The Eye for a scenic view of the cityscape. For many of them, the 12-minute ride on the giant ferris wheel was something they had been looking forward to.

“It is very encouraging to see such a huge turnout of patients this year and we hope that many more will support us in time to come,” said Teo. She added that this was in line with Baxter Healthcare’s efforts in promoting peritoneal dialysis as an alternative treatment for those with renal failure, so that they too will have the freedom to do the things they enjoy in life.

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About the Freedom to Live campaign
A patient and public education campaign, Freedom to Live is a joint effort between the Malaysian Society of Nephrology (MSN) and Baxter Healthcare targeted at patients in the early stage of kidney disease, those at risk of developing kidney disease, their caregivers, family and members of the medical community. The campaign aims to raise awareness of kidney disease and the treatment methods available so that those who are affected by it are able to live better and meaningful lives through effective disease management.

Dreamcatcher contest

A dreamcatcher is a handmade object based on a hoop (traditionally of willow), incorporating a loose net, and decorated with items unique to the particular Dreamcatcher.

There is a traditional belief that a Dreamcatcher filters a person’s dreams, letting only the good ones through.

Have you ever dreamed of climbing the Great Wall of China or scaling the heights of Mount Everest? Fancy starting up a stall selling your own handicrafts? Or travelling around Malaysia as an advocate for kidney health?

Perhaps you have thought of these things, but find that there are various obstacles that stand in the way of you fulfilling your deepest aspirations and desires.

Whatever the reason, here’s your chance to turn the intangible into something tangible.

Even if you have been diagnosed with kidney failure, that shouldn’t stop you from actualising your true potential. Dare to do the seemingly un-doable and challenge your limits to enjoy complete freedom and flexibility in the way you live!

In an effort to further raise awareness on the benefits and effectiveness of peritoneal dialysis as a treatment option for kidney failure, Baxter Healthcare Malaysia invites you to live your dream by turning it into reality. It’s simple. All you need to do is to share your dream with us, and how being on peritoneal dialysis treatment will facilitate the realisation of your dream in no more than 300 words. Entries may be submitted in English, Bahasa Malaysia and Mandarin.

You may submit as many entries as you like, but each entry must be accompanied with a write up on why your dream deserves to be fulfilled. Don’t let this opportunity pass you by. Obtain an entry form from your CAPD unit today!

Terms & Conditions
1. The competition is open to all peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients nationwide, whether on continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) or automated peritoneal dialysis (APD).
2. Participants are required to get their doctors’ signature with the corresponding hospital stamp to verify that they are on PD treatment.
3. Each entry has to be supplemented with a maximum 300-word write up (in a Word document) on why your dream should be chosen. Incomplete entries will be disqualified. Entries may be submitted in English, Bahasa Malaysia or Mandarin.
4. Winners will be selected based on originality, relevance and creativity of dreams submitted.
5. The closing date for all entries is Thursday, 30th August 2007.
6. The reward for the competition will be awarded up to the value of RM 10,000.
7. The winner will be notified in writing by 21st September 2007.
8. Baxter Healthcare Malaysia reserves the right to run your story in the media should you be selected as one of the four finalists.
9. The decision made by the Kidney Health Education Panel is final and no correspondence will be entertained.

Entries can be submitted via post or email
Email: snafis@webershandwick.com or
jooi@webershandwick.com

Dreamcatcher Contest
c/o Weber Shandwick
Suite 7.1, Level 7
Menara IMC, Letter Box 49
8 Jalan Sultan Ismail
50250 Kuala Lumpur

For enquiries, contact Syamaizar Nafis and Joanna Ooi
Tel: 03 20700567

ANNUAL PD PATIENT OUTING

Baxter treats PD patients to outing to High 5
December 2 2006
Every year, PD patients and their family members from all over Klang Valley get together for a fun and enjoyable outing. This is an annual affair organised by Baxter Healthcare and their business partner, Medichem Systems. It becomes the perfect opportunity for the PD patients to meet new friends and catch up with old ones who share the same plight. Similar but smaller outings are organised outside of Kuala Lumpur as well so that the opportunity to participate in such an activity is not only limited to the big city.

This year, we went to the High 5 bread factory in Shah Alam. As usual, after the tour, lunch was provided for all the participants.  During lunch, awards were given out to those patients who have taken care of themselves really well and have been on the treatment for 10 years.

Congratulations to all the honourees!