The Paddle for Pink: Pickleball Fundraising Tournament was held in Penang to to support breast cancer patients and survivors.
It was organised by TalkHealthAsia.com, Malaysia’s leading voice for patient advocacy and health empowerment, and rallied hundreds of Penangites at the Paddle for Pink.
Held at the new courts of venue partner PickleGen Pickleball Giant Bayan Baru, the tournament sparked collective action, uniting pickleball players from all walks of life: women leaders, healthcare professionals across the state, local hospitals such as Loh Guan Lye Specialists Centre and Sunway Medical Centre Penang, corporate teams from Dell Technologies, Jabil, and Altera Corporation and even rival pickleball centres. Everyone rallied around a single mission: to improve breast cancer survivorship across Malaysia. Together, they raised RM7,000 to directly fund patients and survivors from B40 and those in financial need, to attend the Malaysian Breast Cancer Summit 2025 (MBCS25) in Kuala Lumpur—a pivotal national platform focused on empowering patients and upskilling medical professionals.
“The successful turnout today proves we’re indeed stronger when we stand together, in line with this year’s summit theme,” said Lim Po Lin, Founder and CEO of TalkHealthAsia. “The chance to survive breast cancer shouldn’t be a privilege, but a human right for everyone.”
“It’s heartening to see TalkHealthAsia and the Penang community come together. I’m proud that Penang hosted the first Malaysian Breast Cancer Summit last year, and even prouder that Penangnites continue to support this important cause in solidarity with breast cancer patients and survivors across Malaysia,” said Madam Tan Lean Kee, wife of Chief Minister of Penang.
“Pickleball, and sport in general, has a unique power to connect people,” said YB Gooi Zi Sen, Penang State EXCO for Youth, Sports and Health. “Today, it brought Penang’s youth together for something bigger than the game.”
A standout highlight of the day was the Women in Leadership Pickleball Exhibition Match, where Penang’s trailblazing women leaders traded serves in solidarity with breast cancer fighters.
“PWDC is proud to support this initiative in raising breast cancer awareness—not just within a particular group, but for everyone,” said Dato’ Ong Bee Leng, CEO of Penang Women’s Development Corporation, who participated in the exhibition match. “The B40 community is often left out due to lack of resources. That’s why the public support shown today is so important.”
Venue partner PickleGen embodied its motto of ‘pickleball for every generation’, fielding an unconventional team spanning ages 10 to 70 years old. By rallying fellow pickleball centres in support of breast cancer warriors, PickleGen played a pioneering role in uniting Penang’s rapidly growing pickleball community. “Pickleball truly unites all ages on one court”, said owner Pauline Teoh with a smile.
The courts crackled with competitive spirit as Penang’s pickleball centres, including Pickleball Yard Penang, WIRASPORTS Pickleball Hideout @ Gurney, PickleSky, G.O.A.T Pickle Club and Penang Pickleball Club, showcased their skills.
“Events like Paddle for Pink don’t just raise funds—they raise awareness and remind us that access to quality breast cancer care must be a shared priority,” said Dr Kiley Loh Wei-Jen, Breast Medical Oncologist and MBCS25 Partnerships & Advocacy Chair, who also took part in the games.
“No one should face breast cancer alone,” said Dr Teoh Mei Shi, Breast and Endocrine Surgeon and MBCS25 Patient-Survivor Programme Chair, after taking to the court with fellow participants. “Today was about showing pink warriors we’re in this together.”
