BY JACINTHA JOLENE
KUCHING: Professional sape musician, singer and songwriter, Alena Murang (pic), to release a new music video titled “Many Tomorrows’ ‘ for this year’s World Cancer Day, which falls on Feb 3.
The theme for World Cancer Day for three consecutive years (2022-2024) is “Close The Care Gap”.
The Union for International Cancer Control’s (UICC) theme aims to increase understanding and resolving inequities in cancer care around the globe.
Society for Cancer Advocacy and Awareness Kuching (Scan) approached Alena for the collaboration and the idea of the song stemmed from the voices of the people who face many barriers when it comes to proper cancer care and hope to fill the gaps in cancer care and treatments.
“We believe it takes everyone to realise our aim to Close the Care Gap for better outcomes and creating ‘Many Tomorrows’.
“We hope that this song will encourage all to join us in closing the gap,” Scan said on Thursday (Jan 27).
Alena wrote the lyrics, with music composition by Jonathan Wong Ketshin and produced by Joshua Maran.
Alwyn Tay of Asa Esa Films directed the music video and he remarked that he felt extremely encouraged by the number of video submissions he received from members of the cancer societies in Sarawak and internationally.
The music video also featured Zephyr, a dance group based in Kuching and sign language from Sarawak Society for the Deaf.
Meanwhile, Alena said: “I’m just one part of this collaboration of many people – the band and music production, the production crew and editor, Scan, UICC, the dancers, the Sarawak Society for the Deaf, those who submitted videos and my team.
“I hope the song can give comfort to those with cancer and to those that care for them and I hope it opens conversations to the barriers to cancer care.”
Following the release of Many Tomorrows, merchandise (T-shirts and tote bags) will also be available for pre-order at Tandang Store (www.tandangstore.com). All proceeds will go to Scan.
