Makna eyes unused coins

NST:A campaign was launched today to collect at least five per cent of the RM1.5 billion worth of coins circulating in the country, to finance treatment for cancer patients.
Themed "Sens Saves Lives", the campaign, by the National Cancer Council (Makna), will be on for five years and held in stages nationwide. It will begin here, with donation boxes placed in public places.
Other activities are also in the pipeline to encourage people to donate one sen, five sen, 10 sen, 20 sen and 50 sen coins.
Makna president Datuk Mohd Farid Ariffin said the concept was chosen due to the increasing number of "unused coins".
"We find loose change in cupboards and wallets and sometimes it remains unused. This way we help Bank Negara get the coins back into circulation and help the needy," said Farid, who gave a talk on the causes of cancer and ways to prevent it.
Present at the launch, which was held at the Federal Territories Ministry, were Puspanita president Puan Sri Suslita Abdul Majid, chairman Datin Wan Norasiah Che Jaafar, 21-year-old campaign ambassador local jazz artiste Mia Palencia and Amy Mastura.
In her speech, Suslita said Puspanita, an organisation for women in government service, would contribute RM10,000 to the campaign.
She added a study by the Health Ministry showed about 94 per cent of cancer patients treated in hospitals were at critical stages.
"I hope this campaign raises awareness among men and women and encourage them to undergo periodic tests for cancer," she said.
Since its inception 12 years ago, Makna has aided nearly 72,000 cancer patients in 27 hospitals nationwide.