Helping Hand: Smart Axiata inspires subscribers to help Children with Cancer

Cambodia’s leading mobile operator, Smart Axiata, is encouraging its subscribers to support Angkor Hospital for Children through Oun Batham’s – better known as Sai – “Run with Sai: 400,000 steps” campaign, which saw the well-known fundraiser run from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap to raise funds for the hospital.

Last month, Smart Axiata set the pace with a 10,000 USD donation, and although Sai has already completed the trek, the campaign is open for donations until mid-November. In 2020, Smart Axiata also contributed 10,000 USD to the Run with Sai campaign, which raised $500,000 to help Angkor Hospital for Children. On that occasion, Sai ran across 21 provinces in 97 days.

Speaking about the Run with Sai: 400,000 steps campaign, Sai said: “Cancer is a terrible disease that affects many of Cambodia’s children. I encourage anyone who can contribute to Angkor Hospital for Children to help us tackle this disease on behalf of all children. All contributions will go directly into the hospital’s bank account.”

In this year’s Run with Sai campaign, Sai aims to raise $100,000 to help the hospital. The campaign is set to end in mid-November, allowing the public to continue to support Angkor Hospital for Children even though he has finished his run.

Smart Axiata’s Acting Chief Executive Officer Feiruz Ikhwan said: “We believe in creating a strong awareness to support Cambodian children in need. Smart Axiata is proud to work hand in hand with Sai, as he is an inspirational person who is prepared to give his all in the name of charity as well as Angkor Hospital for Children for fighting for this noble cause. We at Smart Axiata are pleased to be able to contribute to this worthwhile cause – and we would like to make it easy for Smart Axiata customers to do the same by giving whatever they can via our shortcodes.”

In addition to donating, Smart Axiata is encouraging its subscribers to contribute using the following shortcodes:

• 50 cents donation, dial *1745*50#
• 1 USD donation, dial *1745*100#
• 2 USD donation, dial *1745*200#
• 5 USD donation, dial *1745*500#

Dr. Ngoun Chanpheaktra, Hospital Director of Angkor Hospital for Children, said: “We at Angkor Hospital for Children are immensely grateful for the support of Smart Axiata and its subscribers. Cancer is a dreadful disease that can affect anyone, children as well as adults. Cancer requires complex techniques, including surgery, chemotherapy, laser treatment, tissue freezing injections and pain management, all of which are expensive to provide. Thank you all for your support to ensure all Cambodian children with cancer, whether rich or poor, can get the treatment they need.”

The Run with Sai campaign also inspired a raft of Smart Axiata’s online influencers – Lin Vee, Soy Senghour, Rainnie Dara, Reachny Kim, Sopheareach Vee, Jasmine Vee, Yaro, and Khmera – to run alongside Sai.

Sopheareach Vee said: “Sai was courageous in completing his run from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap. He inspires me to help people in need. He ran to save children from cancer. I am so touched and inspired. I am committed to giving back to society the way Sai does.”

Sai showed his gratitude to the young people and other passionate runners who joined him during his marathon run from October 22-30, and he is thankful for everyone’s support.

“It is great to see major Cambodian companies like Smart Axiata strongly supporting initiatives like mine that help Cambodians extend a helping hand to those less fortunate than themselves, especially children,” Sai added.

For more information, follow the Smart Axiata Facebook page at www.facebook.com/smartaxiata or visit www.smart.com.kh.