More than three thousand runners turned out recently for the inaugural "AIA Pink Run", an initiative launched by AIA Cambodia Life Insurance in partnership with the Cambodia Marathon Committee (CMC). The event theme aimed to raise awareness of breast cancer nationwide.
The AIA Pink Run was one of the most exciting social sporting events so far this year. The run is meant to inspire advocacy for building a healthy community.
Cambodian athletes, locals and visitors from around the globe descended on the event to participate in one of three unique running events: the 2.5km “Fun Run” for families and kids, the 5km race, and 10km race.
The run started early at 5:30am and wrapped up by 9:00am at Wat Botum Park in Phnom Penh. Thong Khon, a Senior Minister and the President of the National Olympic Committee of Cambodia (NOCC) presided over the event.
The run featured the colour pink – the official symbol of “International Breast Cancer Awareness Month”. The kick-off edition of the event also celebrated Cambodia’s success at the 2023 SEA Games and ASEAN Para Games.
The CMC and AIA Cambodia Life Insurance signed a three-year Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for this new healthcare initiative in September this year.
The MoU partnership follows the official launch of the AIA ‘Fit for Hope’ campaign in 2017 which was endorsed officially last year by the Minister of Women’s Affairs Ing Kantha Phavi.
Government recognition for the AIA healthcare campaign boosts awareness and understanding of breast cancer.
Fit for Hope is a public information drive focusing on the quality of personal health and the crucial need to practice preventive healthcare. In particular, the campaign teaches Cambodian women about the benefit of healthier lifestyles towards leading longer, more productive lives.
The AIA Pink Run takes its inspiration and a step up from the yearly AIA Pink Walk, which has been a popular annual event since 2018.
The biggest event of its kind in Cambodia, the AIA Pink Walk has brought thousands of people together to fight breast cancer, the world’s most commonly diagnosed type of cancer, and the second most common cancer afflicting women across the nation.
Mr Andrew Loh, Chief Executive Officer of AIA Cambodia said, “I thank the CMC for standing with us, and I applaud their zeal and commitment to help AIA Cambodia help people live lives that are healthier, longer and better. The more people we reach, the better our chance of making a tangible difference towards reducing the number of serious breast cancer cases detected here annually.”
Mr Loh called on all women to perform regular self-examinations at home or at medical centres, noting breast exams are vital for discovering the early warning signs and symptoms of breast cancer, reported Khmer Times.