KUCHING: The Society for Critically Sick Children (S.O.S Kids) will be hosting a private fundraising event to celebrate its incredible 10-year journey of helping critically sick children and their families to cope with their illness and creating awareness among the public.
Themed “Eat for a Purpose”, the exclusive event will feature dishes curated by a renowned Sarawakian chef Achang Libat and S.O.S Kids. It will be held on Aug 31, Sept 1 to 3 and Sept 8 to 10, from 7 pm, at Ocho by Kyujin, near Saradise here.
Achang believes coming together to enjoy good food and company while supporting a noble cause is a powerful way to create lasting change and wonderful memories.
“By participating in the event, you become a partner in shaping the next decade of impact for S.O.S Kids.
“Every bite you take, every conversation you have, and every contribution you make will directly contribute to the success stories yet to be written, ensuring that more children find the care and support they need,” he said at a press conference yesterday.
Each year, the organisation spent an average of about RM120,000 with most of the funds coming from donations from private companies and the public.
Its president Constance Leong said she aimed to raise RM200,000 this year to purchase more new equipment as some had been used for years as well as to help more children.
“I hope the event can raise about RM80,000 or more to reach out to more children and families,” she added.
According to her, there are a set of criteria that a child or family needs to fulfill in order to be eligible to receive assistance from the organisation.
“We will refer to the list and recommendations given by the paediatric intensive care unit (PICU) of the Sarawak General Hospital (SGH) and conduct some background checks before channeling our services and assistance.
“We are very transparent with our funds and we ensure the money will benefit those who are really in need,” she explained.
Meanwhile, Richard Lee, founder of S.O.S Kids, who was also present at the press conference shared about how the organisation started in 2013.
“I remembered it was 10 am on a busy day when I received a call from a paediatrician from SGH. They wanted to present a proposal to me about helping children and their families to cope with their illnesses — about 10 years ago.
“But I could not make it that day so I only went to the hospital the next day,” he recalled.
“As soon as I arrived at the hospital’s Department of Paediatrics, two doctors came in and spoke about the needs for moral support and financial assistance for critically sick children and their families, including helping them to return home and continue (home) treatment until they were fully recovered.
“Then, they walked me through the children’s ward and Paediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU). It was packed with children, some with tubes and devices, supported by machines and so on,” he said.
After seeing what the children had to go through, Lee immediately agreed to help without second thought, hoping that more children, especially those from the low income families, would have the necessary means to support their recovery journey or home treatment after they were discharged from the PICU.
He founded the S.O.S Kids while two senior consultant paediatricians from SGH, namely, Dr Chor Yek Kee and Dr Ooi Mong How were appointed as the organisation’s medical advisors.
Over the past 10 years, the organisation has provided various services and aids for critically sick children, including conducive and well-equipped half-way house, medical equipment and consumables, vaccination, financial assistance as well as ensuring good and balanced nutrients, among others.
They have assisted and supported over 400 children in the past decade. Currently, there are 22 active children under their care and support, aged between three and five.
Apart from that, it offers afterdeath care assistance for poor families who had children who could not make it and died while receiving treatment at the hospital, or far away from home.
“As much as we want every child to fully recover, we cannot run away from these (deaths) cases. Thus, the last thing we can do is to provide transportation and funeral expenses so that the children can ‘return home’ and to be rested at the place where they belong,” he said.
S.O.S Kids, Lee said, also aimed to enhance clinical expertise of caring for critically sick children among healthcare workers through continuing medical educational activities.
Those who wish to secure their place at the meaningful dinner — “Eat for a Purpose” — and celebrate the 10th year anniversary of S.O.S Kids can visit @chefachanglibat Facebook & Instagram page or contact See Bee at 0123892686.
Meanwhile, members of the public who wish to support the activities of S.O.S Kids can make their donations in cheques to “The Society for Critically Sick Children” or online donations to the society’s Public Bank Bhd account (account number: 3183778731). Please visit the society’s official Facebook page (www.facebook.com/ soskidskuchingsarawak) for more details.
