Dear SCCS Family,
Before we step into 2024, it is with profound gratitude and admiration that I look back on the incredible journey we’ve undertaken together in the past twelve months.
In May, we were proud to be given the opportunity to organise the 15th CCI Asia Conference, welcoming fellow advocates from across the globe to our beloved hometown, Kuching. We were also a part of the initiative to start Childhood Cancer Malaysia (CCM) to further our cause and advocacy onto a larger scale. In November, we were very privileged to attend the Childhood Cancer International (CCI) Conference in Ottawa, Canada, where we spoke with leading organisations and healthcare professionals from across the globe on the latest practices to further support and care for childhood cancer patients.
These opportunities are aligned with our objectives to expand our knowledge on resources allocation and widening the exposure of our cause. They are stepping stones for us to better serve patients in terms of services and advocacy, helping to cement SCCS’ presence both within Malaysia and globally.
It is also with great pride that I reflect upon accomplishments towards our own community, such as refurbishing the Paediatric wards in the Sibu and Bintulu hospitals to provide a safer and more comfortable treatment environment. We also held our Youth Camp again after a three year hiatus, an event with the aim to not only enable survivors to better self-manage physically and mentally after their respective experiences with cancer but more importantly, to connect with fellow survivors like themselves who could relate, understand and support each other at different stages of life.
These efforts are all in line with the World Health Organization’s Global Initiative for Childhood Cancer, which is to increase the survival rate of children with cancer globally to at least 60% by 2030 while reducing their suffering and improving their quality of life.
Through CCM, we hope to propel Malaysia into one of the leading countries with increased capacity to provide quality information and services for children with cancer; and to increase prioritisation of childhood cancer at the global and national levels.
In the face of adversity, our organisation has continued to thrive because of the unwavering commitment and dedication of each member of our community. From tireless volunteers to our generous donors and resilient families, your individual contributions have woven a tapestry of hope, resilience, and progress.
We would also like to thank our honorary advisor Datuk Lorna Enan Muloon, honorary medical advisor Dr. Ong Gek Bee, medical advisor Dr. Betty Ho Lee Sue and Dr. Ong Eng-Joe, legal advisor Grace Yong, all fellow committee members and last but not least, the management and staff, for their steadfast support in everything we do.
In the coming year, let us reaffirm our commitment to the belief that “It takes each of us to make a difference for all of us”, a quote by Jackie Mutcheson which has resonated with me throughout this remarkable year. Every action, no matter how small, contributes to the collective impact we have on the lives of children battling cancer.
Thank you for being an integral part of this extraordinary community. May the coming year bring us renewed strength and increased solidarity. Wishing you and your loved ones a joyous holiday season and a New Year filled with hope and promise.
With heartfelt gratitude,
Rodney Wong
SCCS Committee President, 2022-2023
