Roche Malaysia raises RM111,800 for child cancer survivors

Roche Malaysia has reaffirmed its commitment to community impact through participation in the global fundraising event, the Roche Children’s Walk (RCW). The initiative, held across more than 75 countries, is led by Roche employees to raise funds for education, nutrition, primary healthcare, and social development for thousands of children worldwide.

This year, employees from Roche Pharmaceuticals, Diagnostics, and Services and Solutions (RSS APAC) in Malaysia raised RM111,800 through a series of fundraising activities. The funds will 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 contributions will help provide essential services to paediatric cancer patients and their families, many of whom face financial constraints during treatment.

Walk and cheque presentation

The campaign concluded with a symbolic two-kilometre walk near Roche’s Sunway office, where employees were joined by NCSM representatives. A cheque presentation ceremony marked the collective efforts to assist 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 cancers,” 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.”

Support for children and families at CHH

As part of the campaign, Roche employees visited CHH to spend time with children and caregivers, gaining first-hand insight into their daily challenges during treatment. The home provides free accommodation, meals, and psychosocial support to paediatric cancer patients receiving treatment at public hospitals. Caregivers and siblings are also offered similar complimentary services, ensuring families can remain close during the treatment journey.

Kol. Bersekutu (PA) Assoc Prof Dr Murallitharan Munisamy, Managing Director of the National Cancer Society of Malaysia, said, “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 highlights the company’s dedication to improving the lives of people affected by cancer—not only through healthcare innovation but also through meaningful engagement with local communities.