MAF organises virtual run to mark International AIDS Memorial Day 2021

The Malaysia AIDS Foundation (MAF), with the support of global condom brand Durex, will be organising its first-ever virtual run in conjunction with this year’s International AIDS Memorial Day (IAMD).

The Durex-MAF IAMD2021 Virtual Run, under the slogan “Always in Our Hearts”, is aimed to raise funds for the treatment, care and support programmes for People Living with HIV (PLHIV) in Malaysia.

MAF chairman professor Dato’ Dr. Adeeba Kamarulzaman said the virtual run symbolises the strong public support towards people living with and affected by HIV.

“This is definitely an event to remind and honour those lost to AIDS. It also demonstrates the importance of the community who plays a central role in the fight against discrimination towards PLHIV and key populations,” she said.

Durex brand owner Reckitt Malaysia’s marketing director Raghunandan Srinivasan said the company holds to its value that everyone has the right to live a healthy life with dignity, freedom, equality, justice and peace so they can reach their full potential.

“We strive to promote the idea of a responsible community towards other individuals or groups. This is very timely support not only from us, but also from the public to people in the key populations,” he said.

Registration is now open from 16 April 2021 until 23 May 2021 with a fee of RM59, excluding the delivery of the T-shirt and medal, via the BookDoc mobile app that can be downloaded via App Store, Google Play Store and Huawei App Gallery.

The running period will last for a month starting from 23 May 2021 to 23 June 2021.

All runners are required to run the equivalent of 200,000 steps with the BookDoc app to track their achievements and progress.

Participants will receive a unique heart-shaped medal and T-shirt that will be sent out to them once the event ends.

To take part in the run, click on ‘Challenges’ in the BookDoc app to register. For technical assistance, call 1300-88-2362 or email [email protected].

International AIDS Memorial Day is an annual worldwide event celebrated in May every year to pay tribute to those people living with HIV who have lost their lives to HIV and AIDS-related illnesses.