KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA: Some 20 breast cancer survivors rode pillion with 60 Harley Davidson riders (below, right) and superbikers to Malacca to promote public awareness of the disease.
The women from the Breast Cancer Welfare Association began their ride from Menara Hap Seng here at 9.30am and headed for Dataran Pahlawan Melaka Megamall where they distributed flyers educating people about breast cancer.
Association president Ranjit Kaur urged women to practise regular breast self-examination as there was no way to prevent the number one killer disease among Malaysian women.
"Women above 40 must go for mammograms while teenagers should start checking for any irregularities in their breasts every month," she said at the event themed "Bums on Bikes for Breast Cancer".
Ranjit Kaur, who is also the Malaysian Breast Cancer Council president, encouraged women to live life to the fullest and advised those with breast cancer not to give up the fight.
Chin Keat Yue, 57, who was diagnosed with the disease four years ago, was beaming with excitement to embark on the motorcycle adventure with the superbikers and riders from the Harley Owners Group Malaysia Chapter.
"I've never done this before in my life. In a way, breast cancer made me braver in taking up challenges," said the former Unicef employee.
Ang Siew Lan, 61, who won the battle against Stage Two breast cancer, said she learnt to treasure life and take each day as it comes.
Harley Owners Group rally co-ordinator Leo Melvin Lim Poh Keong said it was an honour for the bikers to accompany the women in their mission.
"We have no qualms about supporting a feminine cause. People generally perceive bikers as rowdy and unruly but most of us are actually very family-oriented," Lim said with a smile.
