Ting shaves Ker’s head.
MIRI: Up to 110 men and 20 women had their heads shaved at Permaisuri Imperial City Mall here yesterday and in doing so, helped the organiser of the eighth edition of the ‘Go Bald’ campaign raise RM106,066.60.
“Going bald is more than a symbolic gesture of emotional support – the funds raised during the event would go a long way towards building and providing better support service for the families and children.
“It is beyond a trend, or a cool thing to do because when you go bald, you are planting a seed of hope for better care, better support and education for the families and also the public about childhood cancer,” president of Sarawak Children’s Cancer Society (SCCS) Jocelyn Hee said, adding that those taking part in the campaign were all, in a way, ‘ambassadors’ for the children fighting the cause.
“The Go Bald participants often create awareness of childhood cancer; their bald heads often spark curiosity, allowing them to initiate conversations about their experience and their intention behind going bald.
“Most importantly, this campaign has helped society raise funds and in doing so, provided it with the resources towards giving continuous support and services to the children (with cancer) and their families.”
(From left) Ker, Ting, Hee, councillor Bruce Chai and two Go Bald 8.0 participants wave to the crowd.
Steve Ker from Johor became the highlight of the campaign yesterday, when he pledged nearly RM20,000 from the sales of angpow packets and donations.
Ker – an angpow packet collector – disclosed that he set up the angpow packet charity programme among the collectors early this month after knowing about Go Bald 8.0 from local angpow packet collector, Bong Kim Foon.
“I was deeply touched by the non-stop efforts of local individuals who have worked very hard in helping to promote such good cause. Selling angpow packets and raising funds are indeed noble initiatives – they have encouraged me to do the same, hoping to raise sufficient amount prior to the Go Bald campaign today.”
Ker revealed that within five days after initiating the charity sale, he was overwhelmed by the support received.
“In fact, there are over 10,000 angpow packet collectors in Malaysia whom I strongly believe can be brought together to do such a meaningful thing – helping to ease the burden of children with cancer and their families,” he told The Borneo Post after having his head shaved by Ting.
Meanwhile, Bong handed over RM10,000 – raised from selling angpow packets via social network – to Hee.