Roche Malaysia reaffirms its commitment to community impact through its participation in the global fundraising event, the Roche Children’s Walk (RCW). On a global scale, the RCW initiative led by Roche employees in more than 75 countries raises funds to advance education, nutrition, primary healthcare and social development for thousands of children.
This year, Roche Malaysia employees across Pharmaceuticals, Diagnostics and Services and Solutions (RSS APAC) raised RM111,800 through a series of fundraising activities to support child cancer survivors from the Children’s Home of Hope (CHH) at the National Cancer Society of Malaysia (NCSM). Timed ahead of Childhood Cancer Awareness Month in September, the funds raised will help provide essential services to paediatric cancer patients and their families, many of whom continue their treatment journeys with limited resources.
The final phase of the campaign was marked by a two-kilometre walk near Roche’s office in Sunway, where employees were joined by representatives from NCSM in a symbolic show of solidarity. A cheque presentation ceremony was held to celebrate the collective efforts to help children undergoing cancer treatment.
“In Malaysia, the incidence rate of paediatric cancer is about 77.4 per million children aged less than 15 years. With early diagnosis and treatment, over 70% of cases are curable—significantly higher than survival rates for most adult cancers1,” said Deepti Saraf, General Manager of Roche Pharmaceuticals Malaysia. “The Roche Children’s Walk is a reminder of the human stories behind our work. Through this campaign, we hope to help ease the burden on children and families navigating cancer care. It also offers our employees a meaningful way to connect with our purpose of doing now what patients need next, through action that extends beyond science and into the communities that need it most.”
As part of the campaign, Roche employees visited CHH to spend time with the children and caregivers, gaining first-hand insight into their day-to-day experiences while undergoing treatment. The home provides free accommodation, meals and psychosocial support to paediatric cancer patients receiving treatment at public hospitals, while providing caregivers similar complimentary services and a space to stay close to their children. These services are also extended to the patients’ siblings.
Kol. Bersekutu (PA) Assoc Prof Dr Murallitharan Munisamy, Managing Director of the National Cancer Society of Malaysia, added, “When a child is diagnosed with cancer, everything changes for the family. The challenge is not just medical—it’s emotional, logistical and financial. The Children’s Home of Hope exists to ease this burden and the aid from Roche Malaysia ensures we can continue doing so. As we approach Childhood Cancer Awareness month, we are reminded of the importance of building a compassionate network of care and that no child or family should face cancer alone.”
This year’s Roche Children’s Walk embodies the company’s commitment to improving the lives of people affected by cancer—beyond healthcare innovation, and through meaningful engagement with the communities around them.
