(From right) Kiu and Tiang at the balloon maze awareness event.
A total of RM77,530 has been raised for children battling cancer in Sibu, Sarawak.
The amount was raised through an event which saw 27 heads shaved in solidarity with those diagnosed with the disease.
The event saw RM45,530 fund-raised and RM32,000 contributed by Grolite Group to Sarawak Children’s Cancer Society (SCCS).
SCCS president Mary Kiu Ai Ling said the funds would provide essential resources and financial aid to support the state’s childhood cancer patients.
“We are on a continuous mission to raise funds for families whose children are battling cancer, ensuring that each child has equal access to life-saving treatments,” said Kiu.
“Going bald not only raises awareness for the often-overlooked reality that children can develop cancer, but also helps garner public support to enhance the services we provide at SCCS.”
The society partnered with Grolite Group to utilise part of the funds worth RM39,900, raised for a donation of medical equipment, for Ward 27 at Hospital Sibu which is the main treatment centre for paediatric oncology patients in the area.
The ward accommodates two to four in-patients at any given time, with the daycare centre seeing three to five patients daily.
As of Dec 31, 2023, SCCS has served 350 childhood cancer patients from Sibu and neighbouring regions.
The remaining funds raised will go towards supporting SCCS’ operating expenses and an awareness campaign.
“We are deeply grateful for the generosity and efforts of our community in supporting the childhood cancer cause in Sarawak,” Kiu said.
“This achievement would not have been possible without the dedicated support of Grolite Group, which invested its time and energy to helping the childhood cancer community.”
Last year, the GoBald campaign raised over RM900,000, with more than 160 participants shaving their heads.
This year, SCCS aims to raise RM1mil and shave 500 heads.
Donations from GoBald help with SCCS’ annual expenditure, which totals nearly RM2mil.
This includes a budgeted RM920,000 for medical aid, with over RM660,000 already spent this year alone.
Essential support services provided by SCCS also include financial assistance to families, accommodation, food, transportation, counselling sessions, recreational activities and care packages to help new patients adapt to life in the ward.
Since 2001, the society – through public donations – has supported more than 1,650 families in Sarawak on their cancer journey.
SCCS earlier held an awareness event, “Samuel Beats Cancer” balloon maze, launched by Sarawak Deputy Public Health, Housing and Local Government Minister Datuk Michael Tiang.
“We need to create greater awareness and bring childhood cancer into the spotlight.
“The more people know about it, the more support we will get and in turn will benefit both patients and parents,” he said.
The Pelawan assemblyman also touched on the toll cancer had on patients and families.
“There is a lot of emotional stress and pressure on children as they go through cancer treatment.
“It is not just about losing hair and feeling unwell most of the time, but there is a lot more happening in the child, emotionally and psychologically.
“For parents, it is important that we provide them with support, letting them know that they are not alone in this journey.
“It is crucial for their emotional and mental well-being,” Tiang added.
The maze featured the real-life story of Miri-born Samuel who was diagnosed with cancer at just three-and-a-half years old.
It traces his journey from early symptoms and diagnosis through treatment, remission and survivorship.— By ANDY CHUA
