Over RM300,000 raised at Go Bald campaign in Miri
The journey with cancer patients is not an easy one. It involves so much and has impacted me as well as each and every volunteer, emotionally and mentally. I believe that with the continuous support from the public towards the cancerinflicted children and their families, they will have the strength to continue the fight against this illness.
MIRI: The third leg of the ninth Go Bald campaign held at Permaisuri Imperial City Mall here yesterday was a huge success, with over RM300,000 raised and a total of 108 heads shaved – 89 men and 19 women.
The first head- shaving session kicked off with an emotional presence of a doctor from Miri Hospital and four men whose children are cancer patients.
One of the fathers, Martinus Padan who had his first head shaved in 2013, could not contain his tears.
In her opening remarks, Sarawak Children’s Cancer Society (SCCS) president Jocelyn Hee said the response from the public was beyond expectation.
“Being here for the third main event after Kuching and Sibu, I am feeling overwhelmingly positive and excited,” she said.
The ninth edition of the campaign this year also marked Hee’s ninth year with SCCS.
“The journey with cancer patients is not an easy one. It involves so much and has impacted me as well as each and every volunteer, emotionally and mentally. I believe that with the continuous support from the public towards the cancer-inflicted children and their families, they will have the strength to continue the fight against this illness.”
On Go Bald, Hee said it is SCCS’ annual event to raise money to provide sustainable care for the child cancer patients and their families.
“Our aim is to raise RM1 million as the annual operational cost for the transit home, medical care, financial aid, accommodation and transportation for outstation patients as well as craftbased education and various recreational activities that would involve such a huge amount. Therefore, the campaign is crucial in helping to cover these expenses,” she said.
One of the highlights of the event was the presence of participants from Johor Baharu, Kuala Lumpur, Kota Kinabalu and Brunei, who came all the way to have their heads shaved for a noble cause.
Among them was a group of Ang Pow collectors, who donated RM88,888.88 raised from a charity sale. Another was the Rotary Club of Johor, which raised more than RM40,000 from donations, which was handed over to Hee by its representative Bong Kim Foon, witnessed by Piasau assemblyman Datuk Sebastian Ting.
There were also special performances by the children from Malaysian Red Crescent ( MRC) Sunflower Centre.
The final leg of the Go Bald 2017 campaign will take place in Bintulu this July 30.
Jocelyn Hee, SCCS president