MEDIA RELEASE

For Immediate Release

Malaysian AIDS Foundation Marathon des Sables 2016 Challenge on track

As Red Ribbon Youth Icon Jeff Lau undergoes intensive training for the world’s toughest footrace, the fundraiser is set to achieve its RM 160,000 target, thanks to the generosity of corporate and individual donors as well as a special contribution from artist C.N. Liew.

 ____________________________________

KUALA LUMPUR, 30 March 2016 – In less than a week, Red Ribbon Youth Icon Jeff Lau will be stepping into a familiar but highly unpredictable and harshly brutal territory, the Sahara Desert, for his second Marathon des Sables challenge in aid of the Malaysian AIDS Foundation (MAF).

Between 8 and 18 April, he will be running across 251 km of arid desert terrain in Southern Morocco alongside 1,000 other top endurance runners from around the world to not only complete the race and best his previous record, but also highlight the HIV crisis affecting women, children and young people in Malaysia and along the way raise funds to support high-impact HIV intervention programmes specifically designed for them.

“I have been training for the marathon since December last year, but more intensively in the past couple of months,” explained Jeff.

“I would run twice a week for a distance of 35 km each time, all the while carrying an 8 kg backpack. As Marathon des Sables is a self-sufficiency multi-stage race, in addition to battling the elements, all runners are required to carry with them food and everything else they need to survive on their back. It is not called the ‘toughest footrace on earth’ for nothing.”

Jeff Lau, Red Ribbon Youth Icon and runner of the Malaysian AIDS Foundation Marathon des Sables 2016 Challenge: “There were times during the Marathon des Sables race two years ago when my patience was tested to the limit and all I could think about was quitting, but what kept me going was the overwhelming support that I had received from everyone back home, as well as the daily struggles of underprivileged people living with HIV, especially women and children, persevering in the face of stigma, discrimination and impediments to access to HIV healthcare.” – Photo © 2016 Malaysian AIDS Foundation.

“While I try not to think too much of the challenges that lie ahead of me, I certainly look forward to making new friends and talking to them about my mission and the plight of underprivileged people living with HIV in Malaysia,” added the 26-year-old runner who also happens to be the sole Malaysian participant in this year’s race.

Since its launch in January, the MAF Marathon des Sables 2016 Challenge has raised RM 70,000, nearing half of the fundraising goal of RM 160,000 through contributions from concerned corporates and individuals. These include RM 10,000 donations from co-sponsors AMP Corporation (M) Sdn. Bhd., Cocoaland Holding Bhd. and MAA Group Berhad.

Donors, partners and supporters of the Malaysian AIDS Foundation Marathon des Sables 2016 Challenge join Professor Dr. Adeeba Kamarulzaman, Chairman of the Malaysian AIDS Foundation (second from left) and the Board of Trustees of the Malaysian AIDS Foundation in offering their best wishes to Red Ribbon Youth Icon Jeff Lau (fifth from right) at a send-off reception held at Hilton Kuala Lumpur on 30 March 2016. – Photo © 2016 Malaysian AIDS Foundation.

“We are most sincerely grateful for the generous contributions of our donors and sponsors,” said Professor Dr. Adeeba Kamarulzaman, Chairman of the MAF.

“This year’s edition is of greater significance to us as it coincides with the start of the Ending AIDS by 2030 global campaign that looks to, among other things, improve access to HIV testing, treatment and care for the most vulnerable and oft-ignored segments of society, including women affected by HIV and their children, by 90 per cent. We are indeed racing against time to achieve this goal, which is why we are dedicating a large portion of the funds raised through the Marathon des Sables 2016 Challenge to our shelter homes and other HIV health programmes for women.”

Bolstering MAF’s efforts to reach its fundraising goals, award-winning Malaysian artist C.N. Liew has stepped in to contribute a specially commissioned artwork worth at least RM 100,000.

“We are deeply honoured by C.N. Liew’s contribution,” said Andrew Tebbutt, Chair of the MAF Marathon des Sables 2016 Challenge project committee.

“The artwork will be inspired by Jeff’s motivation for and experience in his second Sahara mission, which makes it even more meaningful to us.”

The MAF Marathon des Sables 2016 Challenge is supported by the Ministry of Health Malaysia, Hilton Kuala Lumpur as the Official Hospitality Partner, and Sanctband Active as the Official Resistive Training Partner.

The online crowdfunding drive is ongoing until 30 April 2016. To make your contribution, logon to https://www.simplygiving.com/event/mds2016. For further enquiries, contact MAF via Arif at [email protected] or call 03-40474257.

[END]

Malaysian AIDS Foundation

The Malaysian AIDS Foundation (MAF) was formed in 1992 to raise and administer funds to support the activities and programmes of Malaysian AIDS Council (MAC) and its Partner Organisations. MAF funds prevention, treatment and care programmes conducted by MAC. MAF also distributes corporate donors’ funds to support projects that have been unable to secure government funding or projects located in parts of the country where resources are scarce. Learn more at http://yam.org.my/V2/.

Malaysian AIDS Foundation Marathon des Sables 2016 Challenge

Facebook |    www.facebook.com/MAFMdS2016

Twitter      |    @myAIDScouncil

Instagram |    myaidscouncil

Hashtag    |   #MAFMdS2016

Blog          |   http://jefflaumds.blogspot.my/

Contact

Media & Communications Department, Malaysian AIDS Foundation

Zaki Arzmi     │ +6016 292 2948  │ [email protected]

Meera Abi      │ +6016 414 6400  │ [email protected]