Meet Cancer Research Malaysia’s employee 001. Yoon Sook Yee first heard of a cancer research set-up in Malaysia back in 2000 and was immediately drawn to a wonderful opportunity. She decided to pursue the opportunity and after 20 years of hard work, she is now one of two credentialed genetic counsellors in the country!

In this interview, Sook-Yee shares her journey of hard work and perseverance as well as her belief that Malaysians have what it takes to pursue genetic counselling.

Published on LinkedIn on September 18, 2020

By YSD CEO Dr. Hjh. Yatela Zainal Abidin

Yayasan Sime Darby's COVID-19 Relief Efforts

Under Malaysia’s Movement Control Order (MCO), patients with serious life-limiting illnesses (such as cancer and organ failure) are encouraged to stay at home, to reduce their risk of being infected, and to free up resources in hospitals.

On 16 January 2021, MERCY Malaysia distributed 246 hygiene kit sets to flood victims in Pekan Pahang

Yayasan Sime Darby (YSD) has come a long way in raising awareness about autism through its support for IDEAS Autism Centre (IAC). Since 2014, YSD has committed RM4.45 million to IAC to carry out a holistic early intervention, care, therapy, and education to autistic children. From 2014 to 2019, YSD’s support had enabled IAC to assist 93 children with autism, 86 of whom come from underprivileged families, to undergo early intervention programmes which successfully enabled 41 of them to be enrolled in mainstream schools.

In conjunction with World Autism Awareness month, we are proud to share inspiring messages from parents of children with autism, courtesy of our partner IDEAS Autism Centre (IAC). YSD’s partnership with IAC since 2014 enabled the Centre to assist 93 children with autism, 86 of which come from underprivileged families, to undergo early intervention programmes which enabled 41 of them to be enrolled in mainstream schools. Watch the video to learn about their personal experiences and how YSD-supported IAC programmes have changed their lives for the better. Read the snippets below:

Klinik Kesihatan Sandakan receiving PPE items donated by YSD.

Can you tell us more about your role in coordinating initiatives to provide access to healthcare for needy communities in Sandakan, both in your capacity as a government servant and NGO representative? 

WAO shelter officer with women in the shelter (photo credit Gary Ng)

Yayasan Sime Darby’s (YSD’s) goal of protecting the basic rights and improving the quality of life of the disadvantaged including vulnerable women and children is underpinned by our long-term partnership with the Women’s Aid Organisation (WAO).