SIBU
18 AUGUST 2024
Grolite Group’s fourth blood donation drive featured the first ever partnership with the Sarawak Children’s Cancer Society (SCCS) to host the inaugural satellite shave for GoBald 2024 in Sibu. The event raised RM45,530, and with the additional RM32,000 contributed by Grolite Group, the total amount raised now stands at RM77,530. 27 heads were shaved in solidarity with children battling cancer.
Held this afternoon at the Grolite Headquarters, SCCS President Mary Kiu Ai Ling (邱爱玲) commended Grolite Group for surpassing their initial fundraising target of RM20,000. She emphasised that the funds will provide essential resources and financial aid to support Sarawak’s childhood cancer community.
“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. 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,” said Kiu.
In line with SCCS’s commitment to support children with cancer across Sarawak, the Society has partnered with Grolite Group to utilise part of the funds raised for a donation of medical equipment worth RM39,900 to Ward 27 of the Paediatric Ward at Sibu Hospital, the main treatment centre for paediatric oncology patients from Sibu and surrounding areas. The ward accommodates an average of two to four inpatients at any given time, with the daycare centre seeing three to five patients daily. As of 31 December 2023, SCCS has served 350 childhood cancer patients from Sibu and its neighbouring regions.
Dr Nanthakumar Thirunavukkarasu, Director of Sibu Hospital, was one of the first participants to go bald in support of children with cancer.
“I hope this event can promote and create awareness in children who have yet to seek treatment for cancer, especially those living very far away and have no access. Early treatment can change lives. To show my support to them, I’ve decided to participate in the GoBald program and hope that this event can be a yearly event and reach more people, ” said Dr Nanthakumar.
The remaining funds raised will go to supporting SCCS operating expenses, as well as the upcoming awareness campaign at Wisma Sanyan Sibu, scheduled for the end of September in conjunction with Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. The event will feature an interactive balloon maze that tells the story of a child with cancer, open to public visits from 27th to 29th September.
“We are deeply grateful for the generosity and efforts of our community in supporting the childhood cancer cause in Sarawak. This achievement would not have been possible without the dedicated support of Grolite Group, who have invested their time and energy into helping the childhood cancer community,” Kiu added.
Last year, the GoBald campaign raised over RM900,000, with more than 160 participants shaving their heads. This year, SCCS aims to raise RM1 million and shave 500 heads. Donations from GoBald contribute approximately 20% to 30% of SCCS’s annual expenditure, which totals nearly RM2 million. 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, SCCS has supported more than 1,650 families in Sarawak on their cancer-fighting journey, thanks to the generosity of public donations. Businesses or organisations interested in Corporate Social Responsibility projects or hosting satellite shaves can contact the SCCS team at 011-39276553 or email 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 1,650 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
