The plight of tuberculosis (TB) patients has garnered the attention of everyone in Taiwan, including the media, celebrities, and athletes. On March 22, 2009, thousands of cyclists gathered at Da-jia Riverside Park to join Taiwanese actress and Stop-TB ambassador, Gui Lun-mei, who has been recently selected as one of the most beautiful women in the country, to pledge their support in stopping TB. Ms. Gui and the cyclists participated in a Bicycle Fun-Ride around the riverside. After the Fun-Ride, eight Asian Olympic athletes kicked off their round-the-island bike tour.

The March 22nd event started off with a bike-stunt, which symbolizes the participants’ determination in stopping TB. The Taiwan Centers for Diseases Control (Taiwan CDC) has continued the “I Am Stopping TB” campaign, which begun last year, with a new focus on enhancing “Prevention” and “Self-Screening”. In addition to immunizing young children with BCG (Bacillus Calmette-Guerin) vaccine, there is also an easy method to conduct self-examinations.Ms. Gui explained this method to the public at the event as follows.All persons with otherwise an unexplained cough lasting two weeks get two points.Unexplained phlegm production garners two more points.Chest pains earn one point.Unexplained loss of appetite earns one point and unexplained weight loss gets one.Anyone with self-administered score of five-points or greater should go to the doctor and have a formal medical examination immediately.Early diagnosis of TB improves the treatment outcomes.

The Minister of the Department of Health, Yeh Ching-chuan, Taiwan CDC Director Kou Hsu-sung, and Ms. Gui lead event participants in a balloon release as they pledged their commitment to stop TB.The scene was broadcasted to the whole world by the attending international media.

For passing on the message of stopping TB, eight Asian Olympic cyclists were invited to start a bike tour around the island.Two teams of eight cyclists departed from Taipei City—one team traveling along the east coast of Taiwan, while the other along the west coast.Both teams of cyclists will call upon the people they meet in the journey to give a hand to stopping TB. On March 24, 2009, the two teams are scheduled to meet in Pingtung County.All of the eight cyclists are excited about the event and about contributing to stopping TB.

In addition to the March 22 cycling event, this year, Taiwan health authorities are also planning a series of educational activities, including publication of a TB-oriented novel written by Doctor Lian Jia-en, collecting amusing photos and soliciting articles on the internet.At the 10th anniversary of Taiwan CDC, the multi-faceted and integrated approach is designed to appeal to and educate citizens of all ages about various dimensions of TB so that, together, all citizens in Taiwan are mobilized to stopping TB in 2009. For further information about the event, please visit http://www.2009tb.com.tw