KUCHING: The ‘GoBald’ event held at Unimas yesterday, the last of Go Bald shave events by the Sarawak Children’s Cancer Society (SCCS) for this year, raised a total of RM5,393.
The event, which was Unimas’ second satellite shave since 2003, saw 17 students and university staff shaving their heads in support of the awareness and fundraising campaign by SCCS for children diagnosed with cancer.
During the event, each GoBald participants received a commemorative T-shirt, a wristband, a thank you card and free photo print to remember the momentous occasion.
SCCS’ items were also put up for sale and the SCCS Monthly Donation Programme sign-up booth was set up; the public can donate monthly to SCCS via an auto debit process from a minimum of RM30. There was also an information panel on SCCS’ support services and childhood cancer.
SCCS first launched the GoBald event in 2009.
“The aim of going bald is to show solidarity with the children who were diagnosed with cancer and assure them that they are not alone in their journey and that hair loss is only a temporary setback on the journey to recovery.
“In addition, the GoBald campaign helps to raise funds to subsidise our annual operational cost of approximately RM1.5 million,” SCCS said in a media statement yesterday.
Since its formation in 1999, SCCS said it had supported more than 1,350 children and their families through various services.
The services range from emotional support, the running of halfway homes here and in Miri for outstation patients receiving treatments at local government hospitals, financial aids, training for medical staff and various recreational activities throughout the year.
With an average of 70 children diagnosed with cancer each year, not to mention the number of relapsed cases, SCCS said it needed much resources and energy to ensure it could provide sustainable support for the care of children suffering from cancer and their families.
SCCS said the funds it raised from the GoBald 2019 events had assisted it to refurbish the children’s cancer ward in Sarawak General Hospital, upgrade facilities in Sibu Hospital and maintain the operations of the halfway home here at a cost of more than RM70,000.
The fund has also enabled the society to provide financial assistance to 41 needy families and medical aid of more than RM300,000, to name a few.
SCCS said next year’s GoBald event was scheduled to commence sometime in June.
The society appealed to corporate and educational organisations to hold their own satellite shaves such as the one held in Unimas yesterday to show support and to raise funds for the children.
Those wishing to organise the event may contact SCCS on 082 686 276 or email to gobald@sccs.org.my to find out more. For the latest updates on Go Bald, interested individuals can check out SCCS website at www.gobald.my and visit SCCS Facebook Page at www.facebook.com/GoBald
