ABOUT

Concept:
"Fading to Clarity" is the title of this coffee table book memoir of the founder of the National Cancer Council of Malaysia aka MAKNA (Majlis Kanser Nasional Malaysia) - Dato' Farid Ariffin - who, unfortunately, has Alzheimer's.

Execution:
The front cover of the book has only two words "FADING TO ...". And "CLARITY" is the only word on the back.

In between the front and back covers, is the narrative on the extraordinarily accomplished man, Dato' Farid Ariffin - who formulated fundraising modules that help keep the staff emotionally connected to cancer patients

The writing style of "Fading to Clarity" subtly reflects that of the "riwayat" or narration of the Hadith of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) i.e. the verbatim recollections of those who worked closest, longest and most faithfully with Dato' Farid Ariffin over the decades. These narrations are also interwoven with Dato' Farid's own notes written in decades past.

Within this book, QR codes lead readers to watch Dato' Farid's chats, speeches, and off the cuff comments, as well as the rare and touching moments of clarity during his various stages of Alzheimer's.

The book ends with Dato' Farid appealing to readers to make him proud - and take MAKNA farther and beyond his expectations.

The Results:
The book inspires current & new (as well as future) staff, volunteers & donors of this charitable foundation.

The most powerful learning from Dato' Farid's modules is every staff of MAKNA is required to eat, sleep & live together with cancer patients in the same room & house for 24 hours a day for three days - every few months. This principle (and also other principles too long to elaborate here) keeps staff grounded. This requirement to live, sleep & eat 24 hours with cancer patients is mandatory for all staff, from the CEO to the driver and the cleaners, the fund raisers to the accounts department etc.

Committing this on paper and publishing it as a book to be distributed to staff and donors and "clients" carves the mission & vision statement into hearts - without any legalese. This is crucial as more of the younger generation get glued to their gadgets - becoming socially disconnected and technologically addicted.