Corporate News

Club supports awareness day to promote ways to prevent bowel cancer

6 December 2009

Bowel cancer is the second biggest cancer killer in Hong Kong, claiming about 1,500 lives a year. More than 3,000 new cases are reported in the city every year.  In a bid to boost public awareness of the disease and educate the public about the importance of preventive measures, The Hong Kong Jockey Club has provided funding through its Charities Trust for the Institute of Digestive Diseases at the Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) to promote bowel cancer screening and set up the CUHK Jockey Club Bowel Cancer Education Centre.

Today (6 December), Club Steward Dr Donald K T Li was joined at the opening ceremony of "Bowel Cancer Awareness Day" by Director of the Institute of Digestive Disease at CUHK, Professor Joseph J Y Sung; Dean of the Faculty of Medicine at CUHK, Professor T F Fok; Hong Kong Anti-Cancer Society Chairman Dr Ko Wing Man; Chairman of the Hong Kong Cancer Fund Sally Lo; and Bowel Health Ambassador Maria Cordero. The Awareness Day held in Sha Tin was the first major public education event organised by the Centre.

Dr Li observed that the Club had recently celebrated its 125th Anniversary and, as the city's major non-government community benefactor, had always attached great importance to public healthcare.  Examples of the Club's significant contributions to healthcare services over past years included the funding of numerous Jockey Club clinics in the 1950s, the establishment of the Centre for Health Protection after the SARS outbreak in 2003, and the recent conversion of Nam Long Hospital to the Jockey Club Cancer Rehabilitation Centre.

"In light of the growing trend of bowel cancer in Hong Kong, we decided to support the launch of a five-year project by CUHK to boost public awareness about the disease," he explained.  "This will be realised through a series of educational programmes in the community, with the aim of reducing the prevalence and mortality rate of bowel cancer."

At today's Bowel Cancer Awareness Day, members of the public were able to learn more about the importance of preventing the disease through various interactive displays, including a gigantic colon tunnel called "Jumbo Colon" and illustrated models of a colonoscopyand the endoscopic removal of an adenoma.  The Jumbo Colon will later form part of a roving exhibition to enhance the public's knowledge of the disease.

The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust donated $16 million in 2007 for the Chinese University of Hong Kong to launch the ''Bowel Cancer in Hong Kong: Education, Promotion and Screening'' Project and establish the CUHK Jockey Club Bowel Cancer Education Centre.  The five-year project will allow 10,000 asymptomatic people aged over 50 to undergo free faecal occult blood tests or colonscopy.  So far, more than 4,000 eligible people have been screened by the programme.  The project also covers a public awareness campaign, training for peer educators and talks to increase public understanding of the causes, symptoms, cures and prevention of the disease.  Further details are available at http://www.idd.cuhk.edu.hk/bowelcancer/eng/default.htm

125th Anniversary of The Hong KongJockey Club

Founded in 1884, The Hong Kong Jockey Club is celebrating its 125th Anniversary in 2009/10 season.  Over the past 125 years, it has become one of Hong Kong's best known and respected organisations, providing the public with world-class sporting entertainment as well as being the city's major non-Government community benefactor, now donating more than HK$1 billion a year to charitable and community projects.  It has been a part of Hong Kong through good times and bad, sharing the city's growth and development with its people, and is dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for future generations.

Club Steward Dr Donald K T Li (centre) is joined at the opening ceremony by Director of the Institute of Digestive Disease at CUHK, Professor Joseph J Y Sung (3rd from right); Dean of the Faculty of Medicine at CUHK, Professor T F Fok (2nd from left); Hong Kong Anti-Cancer Society Chairman Dr Ko Wing Man (1st from right); Chairman of the Hong Kong Cancer Fund Sally Lo (2nd from right); and Bowel Health Ambassador Maria Cordero (3rd from left).
Photo 1:
Club Steward Dr Donald K T Li (centre) is joined at the opening ceremony by Director of the Institute of Digestive Disease at CUHK, Professor Joseph J Y Sung (3rd from right); Dean of the Faculty of Medicine at CUHK, Professor T F Fok (2nd from left); Hong Kong Anti-Cancer Society Chairman Dr Ko Wing Man (1st from right); Chairman of the Hong Kong Cancer Fund Sally Lo (2nd from right); and Bowel Health Ambassador Maria Cordero (3rd from left).

Club Steward Dr Donald K T Li speaks at the opening ceremony.
Photo 2:
Club Steward Dr Donald K T Li speaks at the opening ceremony.

Ribbon-cutting ceremony of the Jumbo Colon.
Photo 3:
Ribbon-cutting ceremony of the Jumbo Colon.

Group photo of Club Steward Dr Donald K T Li and the volunteers.
Photo 4:
Group photo of Club Steward Dr Donald K T Li and the volunteers.

Director of the Institute of Digestive Disease at CUHK, Professor Joseph J Y Sung presents souvenir to Club Steward Dr Donald K T Li.
Photo 5:
Director of the Institute of Digestive Disease at CUHK, Professor Joseph J Y Sung presents souvenir to Club Steward Dr Donald K T Li.

Photos 6-9:  A range of interactive displays and game booths are provided at Bowel Cancer Awareness Day to educate the public about the importance of preventing bowel cancer.
Photo 6:
Photos 6-9: A range of interactive displays and game booths are provided at Bowel Cancer Awareness Day to educate the public about the importance of preventing bowel cancer.

Photos 6-9:  A range of interactive displays and game booths are provided at Bowel Cancer Awareness Day to educate the public about the importance of preventing bowel cancer.
Photo 7

Photos 6-9:  A range of interactive displays and game booths are provided at Bowel Cancer Awareness Day to educate the public about the importance of preventing bowel cancer.
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