SARAWAK CHILDREN'S CANCER SOCIETY
Registration No: PPM 001-13-26112001
17th May 2020
Sarawak Children’s Cancer Society (SCCS) has completed an awareness and fundraising campaign, GoBald at Home, which was done fully online and lasted from 1st to 12 May. A total of 20 fundraisers joined, with 16 conducting at-home shaves and raising a total of RM29,617 to support children with cancer, exceeding its original donation target of RM10,000.
“We had received a number of enquiries from past participants of the annual GoBald event, asking whether they could raise funds and shave at home. Some had even completed their shaves before letting us know they had done such a courageous deed! It was then we decided to provide an official platform for our committed supporters ” said Mdm Jocelyn Hee, President of the SCCS committee. “We used a reputable existing online platform – simplygiving.com, which we had worked with before. We also contacted every single participant to ensure that they were going to do the shave safely, as the safety of the participants is our top priority. We are so heartened to see that the response was much better than we had expected, and that people are still willing to support our cause of supporting children with cancer, especially at this time when the children are at such a high risk because of the Covid-19 situation happening.”
Although the campaign has ended, there are still others inspired by the pioneers, who have started their own fundraising to go bald. One such person is Adeline Chai, an announcer at TeaFM, who has decided to go bald for the third time in support of children with cancer, doing this in the safety of her own home on Sunday, 17th May. For her, doing good is important in a person’s life, especially during at times where it is needed most.
Adeline first learnt about the Society through the GoBald event. “I had no idea that kids could get cancer. I never thought about the trauma they undergo during their treatment and being bald because of it, up until then. When I wanted to join the first time, it was a bit challenging because I was being questioned about how I would look like and why I was going bald. It was difficult but I strongly believe in sending the message to the kids with cancer, that going bald is ok, and they are not alone. I also wanted to share with everyone else out there, and especially with other children, to be more compassionate and kind towards those that look different.”
Support from Adeline, and others like her, has prompted the Society to make an official decision to run its annual GoBald campaign entirely online this year, with a larger scale campaign planned tentatively in August, on its own website www.gobald.my. “When MCO started, we had already planned to not have the public events, and it was only a matter of announcing it. We were greatly concerned, as donations have not been as forthcoming as it has been in previous years, and GoBald raises funds for about 60% of our yearly expenses which average RM1.5million.” Mdm Jocelyn shared. She said the Society was now focusing on online fundraising, where, besides signing up for GoBald, members of the public can also join the Heart of Gold monthly donation program, where donors can sign up for as little as RM10 a month.
“The Society counts upon donations to carry out essential services for children with cancer, and their families. Throughout this difficult time, there are still new cases being diagnosed almost weekly, and children with cancer still need to go for treatment, and continue to have access to our services. We hope that the public can recognise this, and provide support to these children and families in need.”
More details of the online GoBald campaign is set to be made available in early July.
Since its formation in 1999, SCCS has supported more than 1,350 children and their families through various services provided. Their services range from emotional support, the running of halfway homes in Kuching and Miri for outstation patients receiving treatment at local government hospitals, monthly financial aids, medical treatment and procedures aid, training for medical staff, public education campaigns and various recreational activities throughout the year. With an average of 70 children diagnosed with cancer each year, in addition to children receiving on-going treatment as well as relapse cases, much resources and energy is invested to ensure sustainable support towards the care of a yearly average of 200 children suffering from cancer, and their families.
Members of the public who would like to provide support to ensure these services continue to be provided to the children with cancer, can sign up for the SCCS Heart of Gold monthly donation program, at , or contact events@sccs.org.my to find out more.
Sarawak Children’s Cancer Society would like to appreciate the sponsors who had committed for Go Bald 2020; venue sponsors, Vivacity Megamall in Kuching, Permaisuri Imperial City Mall in Miri, Delta Mall in Sibu and the Spring Shopping Mall in Bintulu, event supporters Somerset Hotel in Miri, Tanahmas Hotel in Sibu, official hair salons Ray’s Salon and Hair Plus in Kuching, Paul & Jennifer and Fion Salon in Miri, Danny Hair Academy in Sibu and T2H in Bintulu, official photographers the Shots and Mick Long in Kuching, DK Photography in Miri, Snail Photography and Aaron Soon Photography in Sibu, and Aerial Shutter Services in Bintulu.
For the latest updates on GoBald, please check out their website at www.gobald.my and visit their Facebook page at www.facebook.com/GoBald
Together Let’s Be Brave and Help Kids Fight Cancer.