RM280,000 raised at SCCS’ 9th Go Bald

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The event attracted a large crowd yesterday.

KUCHING: The Sarawak Children’s Cancer Society’s (SCCS) 9th Go Bald netted RM280,000 and 234 people went bald for the cause at the launching at CityOne Megamall yesterday.

Go Bald is organised by SCCS annually to raise funds and to demonstrate support to children who are battling cancer. By going bald, participants show solidarity to children with cancer that they are not alone in this journey, and that hair loss is only a temporary setback on the journey to recovery.

In addition, Go Bald helps the society to raise funds to subsidise its annual operation cost of approximately RM1.8 million.

“It is easy for us to forget the significance of shaving our heads; some people may ask why don’t we try something new as going bald is no longer a trend, and my reply to this is, because losing hair due to cancer treatment is not a trend. It is not a choice for the 70 children who are newly diagnosed with cancer in Sarawak every year,” said SCCS president Jocelyn Hii.

“Today, your act of shaving your head is more than a symbolic gesture of support. The funds raised from this campaign go a long way for us to continue to build and provide better support for the families and children. Each year, more than 100 families are supported by SCCS and we are glad to have served more than 1,000 families since our inception.”

See gives the thumbs-up as Hii shaves his head.

This year’s first shave for Go Bald Kuching started with Batu Lintang assemblyman See Chee How, Winnie Foo (a childhood cancer survivor) and three fathers of cancer fighters — Rizal Sahari, Adrian Jampi and Syamsuri Bohri.

At the event, those who went bald received a commemorative t-shirt which featured an actual childhood cancer patient and her mother walking hand in hand. Participants also collected a wristband and a free photo print to remember the occasion.

There were also SCCS merchandise for sale and the SCCS monthly donation programme sign-up booth where the public can donate monthly to SCCS via an auto debit process from a minimum of RM30. There were also information panels on SCCS and childhood cancer, and a stem cell donation drive set up by the SCCS and the Malaysian Stem Cell Registry for the public to sign up and potentially save a person’s life via stem cell donation.

An average of 70 children are diagnosed with cancer each year, not counting the number of relapse cases; much resources and energy is invested to ensure sustainable support for SCCS for the care of children suffering from cancer and their families.

Lorna shaves Head of State’s niece Amalina Arip’s head. On the right is Foo.

Since its formation in 1999, SCCS has supported children and their families through various services like emotional support, the running of a halfway home in Kuching and the newly built home in Miri for outstation patients receiving treatment at local government hospitals, financial aid, craft-based education and various recreational activities throughout the year.

Go Bald will be held at Delta Mall, Sibu on July 16, Permaisuri Imperial City Mall on July 23 and ParkCity Mall, Bintulu on July 30.

SCCS advisor Datin Patinggi Puan Sri Datuk Lorna Enan Muloon was present at the event.

For the latest updates, visit www.gobald.my or www.facebook.com/GoBald.