I dream of the day that every child fighting cancer is encouraged to “Never Ever Give Up”.
– Jessica Rees, child cancer victim
A few days ago, I saw that Deputy Minister Datuk Sebastian Ting had a new haircut — well, he was actually bald.
No, I didn’t see him in person;
I just saw his pictures in the press.
In jest, I sent him this message: “Wow, I like your new hairstyle. Very easy to manage indeed.”
In response, Ting sent me a photo of him in front of a backdrop of the ‘GoBald’ campaign initiated by the Sarawak Children’s Cancer Society (SCCS). So, he supported the fundraising campaign by shaving his head.
Great job, brother, I replied to Ting’s post. SCCS must also be happy to note that the deputy minister has made a public appeal for support of the ‘GoBald’ campaign.
I believe that the campaign will be successful, especially when SCCS has the most helpful and generous political leader in their camp.
Indeed, I am glad to learn that a total of 45 individuals shaved their heads for this year’s GoBald event. According to SCCS vice president Dayang Juliana Abang Dalhan, the programme was held to spread hope to children battling cancer in conjunction with Cancer Survivor Month.
“To date, GoBald 2023 has raised more than RM735,000 from more than 1,900 donors and about 130 people in Malaysia with at least 108 pledges to have their heads shaved as of June,” she said prior to the shaving ceremony held at Vivacity Megamall in Kuching last Sunday.
The fund, she said, will be able to help about 40 children who are currently under active treatment and about 150 children who are still in remission and continuing follow-up care across Sarawak.
Aware of the high cost of cancer treatment, I was not surprised to learn that SCCS needed RM2 million annually to run its core services.
Raising RM735,000 from one event and meeting its RM2 million target year in and year out is no easy feat. Those involved in voluntary organisations will surely know that raising funds is one of the toughest tasks to handle.
It’s not easy to go out and beg for donations from the public. In good economic times, there are many generous donors among those in the business community.
However, when times are tough, there are fewer sponsors and this is where the diligence, dedication and perseverance of those involved in volunteerism are sorely needed.
In the case of SCCS, funds are needed whether in good or bad economic times because the cancer-stricken children still have to go for treatment.
Here, I wish to say “Syabas” to the leadership and management staff of SCCS for their hard work, and their perseverance in particular, to see to the needs of the suffering children and ensuring they know that hope is always there.
I concede I do not know much about SCCS although I have heard of the organisation before. So, for the purpose of this article, I read up on society and wish to share what I’ve learned with readers.
Firstly, let me say that I like the society’s mission statement – “We are families helping families, to progress greater access to care for children who are affected by cancer in Sarawak.”
SCCS is a non-profit organisation founded by a group of parents of children with cancer in 1999, to provide care and support for children and families battling childhood cancer in Sarawak.
The society’s essential services include providing financial and medical aid, accommodation and food for outstation patients receiving treatment in Kuching and Miri, emotional support, recreational activities and education for children and their families.
Since 2001, SCCS has supported more than 1,500 families in their cancer-fighting journey.
The management team is headed by Jodie Sim who has been with SCCS for more than six years. Her colleagues are Madeleine Ang, Siaw Ying Boon and Emelyne Carmen Ho.
From their profiles, all are experienced professionals in their chosen fields but came together to touch the lives of the sick kids with their care and love and most importantly to embark on the journey of hope together.
SCCS office is located in Taman Desa Wira, Jalan Batu Kawa, Kuching.
Cancer is a widespread disease that affects millions of people worldwide. The high prevalence of cancer means that almost everyone knows someone, either a friend or a family member, who has been impacted by the disease.
It is particularly sad and tragic if a child is inflicted with the dreaded disease but it happens. This is where SCCS comes in and Sarawak is lucky that the society exists.
Sarawakians should also be happy to know that a RM900 million Sarawak Cancer Centre will be set up soon. This is the brainchild of Deputy Premier Datuk Seri Dr Sim Kui Hian.
Meantime, continue to support and donate generously to the GoBald campaign of SCCS. Society needs your help in order to help our children suffering from cancer in Sarawak.
The views expressed here are those of the columnist and do not necessarily represent the views of New Sarawak Tribune.
