General Interest
Run with us, if you want to help the autistic lead normal lives
Siemens Malaysia to raise money for the underprivileged through its 5th annual charity run – the Siemens Run
Petaling Jaya, Jun 24, 2009
Umairah, 14, is blind. Not because she was born without sight, or because she suffers from any disease, but her blindness was caused by her repeatedly banging her head on the wall. Umairah is autistic, and this, is just one of the many characteristics of an autistic child.
Umairah is also a student at the National Autism Society of Malaysia (NASOM) undergoing the Early Intervention Programme along with other classmates with similar conditions, where the children are given educational therapy to cope and overcome their inherent deficits and disorders.
“Umairah was part of our intervention programme when she was younger, but there was a brief moment that she stopped attending the programme. When she eventually came back, she was blind because of the amount of repetitive knocking she had been doing on the wall. These days she does not do it as much, but she has adopted a new habit, where she likes to chew on her t-shirt. Now, all her clothes are full of holes. Sometimes, they will stop one behaviour, but then adopt another one,” said Sharifah Salleh, executive officer at NASOM.
Autism is a form of complex developmental disorder which generally can be identified within the first three years of a child’s life, and is a lifelong developmental disorder that blocks learning, language, communication, emotional and social development of a child.
“The range of symptoms of autism are wide; sometimes so mild, that a child can function in a regular classroom with special services, and at other times so severe that a child is mute and institutionalised. We always welcome any form of assistance which can help add value or improve the programme for the benefit of the kids,” added Sharifah.
More specific symptoms of autism include acting deaf, adverse to cuddling, apparent insensitivity to pain, extreme crying tantrums, echolalia and unusual eye contact. NASOM was formed by a group of parents and professionals with the aim delivering life long services to autism, especially children and their immediate family members.
Bearing this in mind, Siemens Malaysia Sdn Bhd has selected NASOM as one of the three beneficiaries of the Siemens Run 2009, to be flagged off at Dataran Merdeka on July 19th. This year, Siemens has screened and identified three charitable beneficiaries; all of whom shoulder big dreams for their respective homes or organisation. The other beneficiaries are the SM Pendidikan Khas Cacat Penglihatan in Setapak and the Taman Megah Home for Handicapped and Disabled Children.
Apart from targeting to cross the 4,000 mark again this year in terms of participation, Siemens Run 2009 will channel 100 per cent of proceeds collected towards these charities.
“In times of this softening economy, we need to continue helping the underprivileged as they too are part of this crisis and need everyday Malaysians and corporate companies to help them to survive. The Siemens Run is open to all individual and corporate companies alike who would like to share our dream of helping unfortunate children like Umairah and many many more,” said President & CEO Siemens Malaysia Tan Sri Rainer Althoff.
The main categories include the 10km Men and Women Open (18 years & above), Men Junior Veteran (40-49 years), Men Senior Veteran (50 years & above); 7.5km Women Veteran (35 years & above), boys and girls (13 under 18) and the 3.5km Dream Run (open category).
The race has so far received good support from co-sponsors Crocs, Mentholatum Deep Heating Rub, hooha.asia, Men’s Health and Shape magazine, Milo, 100 Plus, Nature Valley, Nivea and Reebok who are the official sportswear.
“We succeeded in more than 4000 participants last year and we hope the number will continue to increase this year. It is a run designed with everyone in mind. I hope that everyone will register and be part of this dream to raise money for charity,” added Tan Sri Rainer Althoff.
Participants of Siemens Run 2009 also have the opportunity to run away with attractive prizes totalling RM27,100. The first five winners in each category will receive a trophy, while medals will be presented to runners who finish 6th to 150th place. All runners who complete the race will receive a certificate.
To assists participants in gearing up for the run, Siemens is conducting running clinics by national coach P.Sidamparam at the Lake Gardens on July 11th at 8am.
Entry forms for further details on Siemens Run 2009 can be obtained from www.siemens.com.my/siemensrun2009. The entry fee for individual runners is RM10, except for the boys’ and girls’ categories, which is RM5. For the Corporate Team category, the minimum entry fee is RM2,000 for a team of 5 participants, and RM5,000 for a corporate box. Forms and fees should be submitted to the FTAAA office at Tingkat 2, Wisma OCM, Jalan Hang Jebat, 50150 Kuala Lumpur (03-7874 8488). For online registration, please visit www.hooha.asia
About Siemens Siemens AG (Berlin and Munich) is a global powerhouse in electronics and electrical engineering, operating in the industry, energy and healthcare sectors. The company has around 430,000 employees (in continuing operations) working to develop and manufacture products, design and install complex systems and projects, and tailor a wide range of solutions for individual requirements. For over 160 years, Siemens has stood for technical achievements, innovation, quality, reliability and internationality. In fiscal 2008, Siemens had revenue of €77.3 billion and a net income of €5.9 billion (IFRS).
Since its inception into Malaysia in 1972, Siemens has actively participated in Malaysia's dynamic economic and social growth. With close to 4,000 staff strength, it has grown to become the second largest German company in Malaysia. Backed by its global network of innovation, Siemens Malaysia assures its customers of international expertise localized and tailor-made to suit their business needs. Today, it is one of the leading technology providers in the country with comprehensive products, services and solutions for various markets in the Malaysian of economy such as oil and gas, power, water, process industries, ports, airports, rail, healthcare and hospitality; served in three sectors of Industry, Energy and Healthcare.
Siemens Group of Companies in Malaysia includes Siemens Malaysia Sdn Bhd, Siemens Industrial Workshop Sdn Bhd, OSRAM (M) Sdn Bhd and OSRAM Opto Semiconductors (M) Sdn Bhd. For more information, visit www.siemens.com.my.
Corporate Responsibility
As a committed corporate citizen, Siemens Malaysia has actively participated in various local corporate responsibility activities, focusing on the areas of arts and culture, youth, sports and charity. Siemens reaffirmed its commitment towards sports and charity through Siemens Run, an annual run whereby the proceeds are channeled 100 per cent to charities involving children and youth. Bringing technological innovation for the betterment of lives, the company also donated to 300 underprivileged children with hearing impairment with Siemens Hearing Aids through the Living and Learning Aids for Handicapped Children Program together with the Kuala Lumpur DiRaja Rotary Club. Under the Siemens Caring Hands Foundation, the company empowers its’ employees to change the lives of the underprivileged through regular long- term scheduled activities benefit the charities.
This press release has been published Corporate Communications Department, Siemens Malaysia Sdn Bhd. Your contact at Siemens Malaysia:-
Ms Vasanthe Narayanasamy
Head, Communications
DL: 03 -7952 4180
M: 012 – 315 0515
Email: vasanthe.narayanasamy@siemens.com
Ms Ranjini T
Project Manager
DL: 03-7952 5164
M: 017-294 5717
Email: ranjini.thangaraju@siemens.com
Ms. Pearly Yeoh
Media Specialist
DL: 03-7952 5078
M: 012-243 8028
Email: pearly.yeoh@siemens.com
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