Octogenarian among 1,400 participants in charity run
MIRI: Some 1,400 caring public including an 88-year old man, the oldest runner, took part in the charity ‘Run for Love’ organised by Palliative Care Association of Miri ( PCAM) at Marina Bay yesterday.
Piasau assemblyman Datuk Sebastian Ting and Miri City mayor Adam Yii jointly flagged off the run which was divided into three main categories; namely 10km, 5km and 3km.
Organising chairperson Vivien Sheila was very happy with the public response including volunteers towards the run which was the main fundraising project to finance PCAM’s activities.
“I am very happy and on behalf of PCAM I would like to thank everyone for the success of this run.
“It is not just about raising fund but more and more young people are volunteering and helping PCAM as we need sufficient funds to meet the association’s RM300,000 yearly expenses to carry out our core duties in caring for and supporting the terminally ill and their families in and around Miri,” said Vivien to reporters after the Run.
On hand to jointly present prizes to the winners were Cr Goh Khiok Seng and treasurer of PCAM Richard Wong.
Vivien added that as a nonprofit making organisation set up in October 2005, PCAM relies on public funding to provide nursing services, training and housing loan as well as lending medical equipment to the terminally ill, mostly cancer patients.
She said the number had increased from 19 patients in 2005 to 1,015 patients as of July last year. Presently, 70 patients in Miri city and another 25 patients staying outside Miri city are benefitting from their services.
Among other services are providing free medical equipment on loan like oxygen concentrators, ripple mattresses, hospital beds, wheelchairs, suction and nebulizer machines.
Besides home nursing, PCAM also has a day- care centre which operates every Tuesday from 9am to noon at its centre located at No. 406, Jalan Taman Piasau Edar, Piasau Garden.
Among the activities held there are massage, handicraft making, symptom assessment and gatherings for patients, their families and volunteers.