Chiam (holding the handphone) wouldn’t part with her locks, but takes a selfie with course-mates for upload on social media to create awareness of cancer.
MIRI: The Go-Bald 7.0 Satellite Shave, the third straight year held at Curtin University Sarawak yesterday, met with mixed reactions for a slow but happy start to the crusade.
“I am still thankful that 31 Curtin Sarawak students and staff came and shaved today — much less than the over 70 last year,” said SCCS secretary Jocelyn Hee who is outstation liaison officer (northern zone).
“We hope more of the public will come for our main Go Bald event in Miri on May 17 at Bintang Mega Mall. Alternatively, support us in other ways like posting on social media or by word of mouth and publicity via the mass media,” she said when interviewed by The Borneo Post.
Without giving actual figures, Hee said the number of children stricken with cancer in Sarawak is on the increase every year and everyone needs to play their roles.
Several students interviewed were too happy to play whatever little role they could to create greater awareness of cancer among kids.
Lesley Yee, 21, a Chemical Engineering student from Sibu said: “This is my first time joining the Go Bald and I hope my small contribution of RM90 can help the cancer kids”.
For Geology student Vinnayag Ram, 21, from Alor Setar, it was his second go and he did it because of his experience with an aunt who died from stomach cancer in 2006.
“I go bald as a message to children suffering from cancer that they are not alone and they are no different from others,” he said.
Foundation in Engineering and Science students, Awa Soo Hooi, 18, and Gerald Ng, 17, both first-timers at going bald, shared the view that beauty is in the eyes of the beholder.
“Cancer patients should not be ashamed of being bald which is beautiful and we should be proud of our beauty,” said Awa.
“Going bald has boosted my confidence and I believe it could inspire kids with cancer. Hair is only a biological thing to protect our heads, and children with cancer who are bald remain beautiful.”
Marrianne Chiam said she loved her long hair too much to go bald but was supportive of creating greater awareness of cancer.
“I give moral support to my course-mates who went bald. I will upload our pictures on social media to reach out to more people to be aware of cancer,” she said, adding that it is also important to maintain a healthy lifestyle and help others in need.