THE Penang Adventist Hospital will be holding a fundraising event, called ‘Spin for Charity’, on May 8 at Gurney Plaza from 10am to 5pm.
According to the hospital’s chief executive officer Ronald Koh, the event aims to raise RM200,000 for the Dr J. Earl Gardner Fund.
“This fund was initiated by PAH to provide free or subsidised medical treatment for needy patients suffering from chronic illness in areas like tumour, cleft palate repair, major limb amputation, scoliosis, stroke and so on.
“What we have achieved, and what we hope to achieve, is only possible through the great partnerships we have with all our partners, donors and dedicated supporters.
“For that, we give you immense appreciation and hope all of you will continue to support us in this event, as well as our future ones,” Koh said in his speech during the ‘Spin for Charity’ press conference at the Penang Adventist Hospital today.
Spinning is a form of indoor cycling exercise focused on endurance, strength, intervals, high intensity and recovery, and it involves using a special stationary exercise bicycle with a weighted flywheel in a classroom setting.
It was learnt that the ‘Spin for Charity’ event will see participants spinning for 30 minutes on spin bikes led by popular Spin Cycle stars.
PAH Charity Department community relations officer Evon Lau said the event, which is open to all, aims to have 160 participants.
Registration fee is RM30 for each individual.
“So far, 50 per cent have signed up, and we hope to reach our target the soonest.
“Closing date for registration is on April 24,” Lau told reporters during a brief interview at the hospital.
Participants can expect a line-up of interesting activities during the event, including thrilling spin sessions led by members from Peak Fitness, a gymnasium located at Gurney Plaza and many others.
Apart from spinning, the event offers complementary health screenings, including testing blood pressure, glucose and cholesterol levels and counselling.
In a related development, Koh said in 2021, PAH, through its Dr J. Earl Gardner Fund, had disbursed more than RM480,000 to assist 21 patients who were required to undergo major surgeries.
“This is part of the total disbursement for both the medical charities and all corporate social responsibility projects in 2021, amounting to RM3.1 million. The money was disbursed to help a total of 3,848 beneficiaries,” Koh added.
Meanwhile, Bukit Bendera MP Wong Hon Wai, who was also present, commended PAH for their dedication and goodwill of offering underprivileged patients a chance for a medical treatment which gives life changing experiences.
“All these years, Adventist Hospital has been offering health promotions, continuously educating us on ways of leading a healthy lifestyle, and I have to say, I am an ambassador of the hospital’s year-long cancer awareness campaigns in the past.
“This new charity event that they have embarked on, I wish them all the very best and may they continue to serve the needy in our community with the best possible medical treatment,” Wong said.
Also present during the press conference were the hospital’s chief operating officer Dr Thomas Tean and chief financial officer Albin Phua.
For more information about the event, interested participants can contact the PAH Charity Department at 04-222 7606.
Story by Kevin Vimal
Pix by Alissala Thian