Lady golfers learn about Palliative Care Association

MIRI: Lady Golfers Division of Miri Golf Club ( KGM) not only brought in ‘ ang pau’ for the Palliative Care Association Miri ( PCAM) yesterday but learned more about the association.

Led by their captain Marilyn Raja-Wright, they handed over a cheque for RM12,060 to the association, received by PCAM secretary Lucy Siew.

Present were PCAM president and volunteer Dr Loh Yunn Hua and other PCAM volunteers and KGM lady golfers.

“I’m pleased that KGM lady golfers and I were invited to the centre for the handover of the donation and for us to know more about palliative care, and how best we can help society in general,” Marilyn told The Borneo Post.

She said as PCAM had a role in helping terminally ill cancer patients and others suffering from chronic diseases, they decided to channel money raised since last year to PCAM, a voluntary organisation that operates using donations from the public.

Marilyn said the RM12,060 was raised during the annual Ladies Charity Golf Competition held in conjunction with her 55th birthday celebration on Dec 3 last year.

This charity game was initiated by Marilyn in 2012 and since then they have collected RM42,450.

Non-governmental organisation Sunflower Centre and PCAM were the beneficiaries.

“Today at the PCAM, we learned a lot from the members and cancer patients on palliative care like massage and other activities that bring comfort to patients living the remaining days of their life,” she said.

Marilyn said such knowledge is vital and it was important the public know too so they could assist their loved ones and others in need.

The lady golfers bought crafts made by PCAM volunteers and joined their Chinese New Year gathering.

PCAM, founded in 2005, was the first organisation in Sarawak to provide free palliative care to the public.

It enables volunteers and medical personnel to visit terminally ill patients in their homes to manage symptoms like pain and bleeding, guide family members on how to cope, and give advice on diet and more.

Medical equipment available for loan to patients include nursing beds, ripple mattresses, reclinable wheelchairs, nebulizers and oxygen concentrators.

PCAM services an average of 50 patients monthly.

For enquiries or to donate, call the centre at 012- 845 6480.

Marilyn (seated third left) finds out about massage and other activities for terminally ill patients from PCAM volunteers.

(Front row, fifth left) Marilyn handing over the cheque to Siew in the presence of PCAM members, KGM Lady golfers, cancer patients and their carers.