Registration starts on 24 March 2024 at www.gobald.my
KUCHING
24 MARCH 2024
The Sarawak Children’s Cancer Society (SCCS) kicked off its annual awareness and fundraising campaign, GoBald 2024 today, in support of children and families battling childhood cancer in Sarawak. The non-profit organisation aims to raise RM1 million and shave 500 heads through its signature campaign.
The message behind this year’s theme “Beacon of Hope”, is to emphasise the pivotal role that ordinary individuals play as agents of hope for children with cancer and survivors, encouraging the public to step up in action to be part of the children’s journey in their recovery from cancer.
Mary Kiu, President of SCCS stated that SCCS’ annual operations cost around RM2 million, with over 75% of its funds being channelled towards providing essential support services, financial aid and specialised medical treatments to affected families. In 2023, SCCS spent approximately RM2.02 million on helping kids fight cancer.
“As a non-profit organisation, SCCS relies primarily on public donations. The annual GoBald event is one of the largest childhood cancer awareness events in Sarawak, as well as one of the few head-shaving fundraisers in the whole of Malaysia. It is through major fundraising initiatives like GoBald that have enabled SCCS to support more than 1,650 families since 2001,” she added.
In 2024 so far, a significant portion of SCCS’ funds was allocated to support the medical treatment for Jessie Nipah alone, a four-year-old girl from Sarikei, Kuching who was diagnosed with Stage 4 Neuroblastoma (a rare cancer that develops in the nerve tissues). Last year, SCCS fully sponsored essential lab tests and scans to enable Jessie to undergo a bone marrow transplant at the Hospital Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (HUKM) in Kuala Lumpur. In February 2024, SCCS sponsored over RM320,000 for Jessie’s immunotherapy treatment at the Sarawak General Hospital, ensuring she continues to have access to the best available treatment to increase her survival rate.
Reflecting on her experience as Jessie’s primary caregiver, Jessie’s mother shared, “Having been away from our family since the start of Jessie’s treatment in April 2023 was tough, but, SCCS has been a tremendous source of support during this journey. They funded Jessie’s treatment and provided transportation, accommodation, and daily necessities for us. Their continuous support has given me the strength to care for my child while navigating through this challenging time.”
Kiu continued, “Every year, we record about 50 to 70 new childhood cancer cases in Sarawak. In the first quarter of 2024 alone, we have registered three more children besides Jessie who require specialised treatments costing between RM30,000 to RM90,000 each. These treatments are essential to ensure young children have the best fighting chance.”
“Besides raising funds, one of the main objectives of GoBald is to spark more conversations on the topic of childhood cancer to increase greater public awareness. Through the community’s participation in GoBald, we hope to spread the word about childhood cancer to garner solidarity and support for children battling cancer in Sarawak,” said Kiu.
Sponsors of the event this year are long-standing local champions of the childhood cancer cause. SCCS stands proud with all the sponsors and partners of GoBald 2024 in showing up for children with cancer – Salon Partners Ray’s Salon, Maison Monica Hair & Beauty Academy, Fion Hair Studio, Paul & Jennifer, Danny Hair Academy and T2H Eternity Saloon; Events Partners Micklong Bridal Studio, Aaron Soon Photography, Snail Photography, DK Photography, Village Sound and Orangutan Creation; as well as Venue Sponsors Kuching’s Aeon Mall and Miri’s Permaisuri Imperial City Mall.
The Society continues to expand its partnerships regionally with like-minded organisations such as Children’s Cancer Foundation Singapore. Both organisations advocate for greater regional awareness of childhood cancer through their respective head-shaving campaigns, GoBald 2024 and Hair of Hope, to support affected children and families in Sarawak and Singapore.
GoBald participants can choose to raise funds only, shave their heads, or both. Those opting for head-shaving must raise a minimum of RM50 to have their shave sponsored by SCCS. Public shaving events will take place in June in Kuching and Miri.
Registration for GoBald 2024 starts today at www.gobald.my. Follow SCCS on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok @sccsmy for more information about upcoming events. Businesses or organisations interested in carrying out Corporate Social Responsibility projects or satellite shaves can contact the SCCS team at 082-686276 or email at em1@sccs.org.my.
About Sarawak Children’s Cancer Society (SCCS)
Mission: To provide care and support for Malaysian children and their families who are suffering from childhood cancer in Sarawak.
The Sarawak Children’s Cancer Society is a non-profit organisation founded in November 2001, dedicated to meeting the needs of families of patients diagnosed with paediatric cancer in Sarawak irrespective of race, religion, age or gender. The SCCS committee is made up of 70% patients’ parents and 30% volunteers. The Society has supported more than 1,600 children since 2001.
Our Services
Support
Through counselling sessions, home visits, support programmes, youth and family camps, and informal friendships, SCCS provides emotional and moral support to members of its community. In 2023, SCCS provided more than 800 caring sessions and 64 counselling sessions to patients and families.
Accommodation
SCCS operates a 14-bedroom Children’s Cancer Centre (CCC) as a temporary living house for outstation patients, with full provision of food and amenities. Daily shuttle services are provided to and from the hospital. The home housed 37 families in 2023.
Financial Assistance
Caring for a child with cancer is beyond the means of most of the patients we serve. To families demonstrating financial need, SCCS provides monetary assistance through monthly financial subsidies, medical treatment not covered by the government and transport subsidies. 51 families received financial aid in 2023, amounting to a total of RM109,000 while monthly transport subsidies were provided to a total amount of over RM63,000 for 44 families.
Education
SCCS holds talks and campaigns to educate the public about cancer and the stigmas often attached to it. Educational and craft activities are also organised for the children to keep their minds off the treatment. SCCS also supports funding for medical staff training to allow them to provide better care for the patients. 34 medical staff received training supported by SCCS and saw over 6,400 attendees at their annual childhood cancer awareness event in 2023.
Recreation
SCCS organises outings, holiday camps, children’s parties and other activities for children and their families to heighten the spirit of the families. For children with cancer, each birthday is a victory. SCCS held birthday celebrations for 128 children at both the ward and the halfway home, in 2023.
Official Website: www.sccs.org.my
Facebook: fb.com/sccsmy
Instagram: @sccsmy
