Dr Lee: Hospices provide clinical services to children and also advise caregivers on home care techniques and symptom management.
Malaysian Association of Paediatric Palliative Care (Mappac) will hold a charity dinner for its children’s hospice in Klang, Selangor.
Funds raised for the dinner, scheduled for Sept 28 at 7pm at Klang Commercial Convention Centre, will go towards assistance for children with life-limiting illnesses and their carers.
Mappac president and Hospital Tunku Azizah paediatric palliative care specialist Dr Lee Chee Chan said the dinner aimed to raise RM500,000.
“It is the association’s third major fundraising event.
“Our last event was a bazaar in May this year in Taman Tun Dr Ismail, Kuala Lumpur.
“There were 90 stalls and we raised RM342,000.
“We are hoping to get RM500,000 from this charity dinner to cover hospice operations,” he said.
Dr Lee said the association aimed to sell 100 tables, but as of now, they had only sold 30.
“Our operations require RM1mil in annual expenses and are supported by public donations and sponsorship through our events.
“For this dinner preparation, we have some 80 volunteers,” he said.
Klang Children’s Hospice launched in March this year following similar ones set up in Kuala Lumpur and Sibu, Sarawak, last year.
“Our association aims to improve the quality of life of patients and families facing challenges associated with life-limiting illnesses.
“All three hospices provide clinical services to children referred from hospitals and also advise caregivers on home care techniques and symptom management,” he added.
According to Dr Lee, the association provides emotional and psychosocial support through music and play therapy, counselling services and respite care for caregivers.
The services are free and include doctor and nurse home visits, physiotherapy, loan of medical equipment with a minimal downpayment, and respite care.
He added: “Sales of tickets for the dinner will provide funds to administer the hospices to ensure that paediatric palliative care services continue to be available to those who need them.”
For details, call 016-223 1357 or 03-6241 2257.
