Pretty in pink: The National Science Centre in Kuala Lumpur aglow in pink and will remain so in that colour until the end of October.

KUALA LUMPUR: The National Science Centre lit up the night sky in a vivid shade of pink as thousands of people came together to create breast cancer awareness among Malaysians.

The building, along with others chosen around the world, will be “washed” in pink for the whole of October.

Organised by Estee Lauder Companies Malaysia, its annual Breast Cancer Awareness campaign aims to educate Malaysian women about the importance of early detection and treatment since 1996.

Its managing director Paul Slavin said that the campaign was a global initiative involving over 40 countries.

“Every October, you will see Estee Lauder out in full force across Malaysia to spread awareness,” he said, adding that it had raised around RM611mil towards global breast cancer research under founder Evelyn H. Lauder‘s Breast Cancer Research Foundation.

Participant and breast cancer survivor Amnah Salleh, 44, recalled feeling as though “I am going to die” when she was diagnosed in December 2005.

The mother of four endured six months of surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy before embarking on five years of hormone therapy. “Now, seven years later, I feel that yes, breast cancer is a scary thing but women can beat it,“ she said.

Amnah said she felt like she had been given a second chance and that her disease gave her the opportunity to do volunteer work as a Pink Unity cancer survivor volunteer under the National Cancer Society of Malaysia (NCSM).

Another participant Naddia Azizis, 33, said the event was crucial in enhancing breast cancer awareness among women.

“We sometimes take things for granted. This is like a wake-up call for many of us. Women have great willpower and we can conquer this,” she said.

The participants who crowded the National Science Centre in a sea of pink also embarked on a 3.5km Pink Ribbon Charity Walk before the Landmark Illumination took place at around 7.45pm.

They also browsed at the booths set up by Estee Lauder, NCSM, Breast Cancer Welfare Association, Cancer Research Initiatives Foundation and Jazzercise.