Kuching
21 FEBRUARY 2024
Sarawak Children’s Cancer Society (SCCS) recently hosted a heartwarming Lunar New Year celebration at The Northbank Club, graciously sponsored by Ibraco Berhad. The festive occasion marked SCCS’ first family engagement activity by SCCS since 2019, bringing together patients, their families and survivors of childhood cancer for a memorable gathering.
The primary goal of such family-centric initiatives is to bring joy to the children and their families while fostering meaningful connections within the community, providing opportunities for various entities to interact with patients and families. Through its partnership with Ibraco, SCCS seeks to inspire further collaborations with other organisations and corporations for future endeavours.
“We are very grateful for the opportunity to reunite and strengthen our bond as a community. Thank you to Ibraco for giving us the space to do so,” remarked Dayang Juliana, Vice President of SCCS, in her opening address.
The event featured an array of Lunar New Year-themed activities, including dragon head arts and crafts, Chinese calligraphy sessions, a captivating magic show, and an energetic lion dance performance.
Attendees, numbering over 80, including 17 patients, their caregivers, survivors’ families, SCCS committee members, staff, and volunteers, adorned themselves in festive red attire, embracing the spirit of the occasion.
Reflecting on the event’s success, SCCS Executive Director, Jodie Sim, expressed enthusiasm for organising similar gatherings in the future. Such events provide an invaluable platform for new patients to connect with long-standing members, enabling them to engage with survivors and senior members of the SCCS community.
SCCS also expressed appreciation for the support provided by Mick Long Bridal Studio, Eragon NS Lion & Dragon Dance Association Sarawak, and Mr. Kho Thong Soon, a Chinese calligraphy teacher, in contributing to the event program. For those interested in exploring collaboration opportunities or participating in Corporate Social Responsibility projects, SCCS welcomes inquiries via phone at 082-686276, Facebook (@sccsmy), 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 1,600 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
