Rohani (centre) and others about to release balloons to officiate at the event.
KUCHING: Counsellors from the Welfare Department may be assigned to Sarawak Children’s Cancer Society (SCCS) to cater for the need of parents with cancer-stricken children.
Minister of Women, Family and Community Development Datuk Seri Rohani Karim said there was a need to support parents of these children who were staying at SCCS premises and who might need emotional support.
“Parents of these children may need someone to talk to in order to calm their emotion as they go through hard times dealing with their sick children,” said Rohani at the launching of ‘Garden of Hope’ organised by Petronas, Kuching Division Journalist Association (KDJA) and Sarawak Press Photographer Association (SPPA) at SCCS premises here yesterday.
She added that the counsellors might be the best persons to listen to problems or issues faced by parents who needed emotional support and challenges that they faced.
“Support doesn’t only come in terms of finance, but also emotion and this is why we will work on this as soon as possible,” she said.
Rohani also announced a RM30,000-grant to SCCS for their programmes and activities.
Earlier, SCCS deputy president Dr Charles Leh said the centre now has 70 registered patients and needed about RM1.5 million annually.
“Sarawak General Hospital (SGH) is the only place for those with cancer seeking treatments and for those who need long term treatment especially outstation patients,” he said.
The programme yesterday saw the opening of a 56-foot reflexology walkway and six 12-inch garden bed, a joint corporate social responsibility effort by the joint organisers.
SCCS advisor Datin Patinggi Puan Sri Datuk Lorna Enan Muloon and KDJA chairman Jason Yong were also present at the function.