Pink Ribbon Support Group Sarawak finally has own centre after long wait

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Raghad (second left) unveils the plaque for the association’s centre. Also with her are Sharifah Hasidah (left), Suriani (fourth right), Rosey (third right) and others.

KUCHING: Pink Ribbon Support Group Sarawak Association’s dream of having its own centre finally came true yesterday after seven years of perseverance.

The new centre located at Kampung Serambi, Bandar Baru Semariang was officiated by the Yang di-Pertua Negeri’s wife Toh Puan Datuk Patinggi Raghad Kurdi Taib.

Association president Suriani Rapaiee said the launch was a significant and historic occasion for the breast cancer survivors.

“We are not only recognising the breast cancer awareness month today, but also to celebrate and see the fruit of seven years of dream and hard work of members of our group,” she said at the event.

She pointed out that during the association’s early stages, they were committed to achieve objectives despite the lack of facilities and funds.

She said they were blessed with the first donation of RM15,000 from Raghad which was used to purchase a mannequin, exhibition board, projector and white screen for breast cancer awareness programmes held around Kuching as well as outreach programmes to Mauludam, Bau, Kampong Pulau Salak, Samarahan, Bako and Buntal.

The donation was also used to buy two Singer sewing machines to make breast prostheses and mastectomy bras which were distributed to hospitals and to breast cancer survivors free of charge, she added.

As such, Suriani expressed her gratitude to Raghad for enabling the association to empower women to take charge of their health through breast cancer awareness programmes and to improve survivor’s self-esteem and increase their self-confidence with the distribution of the free breast prostheses.

“It has been a long journey and it is unbelievable that with the challenges and limitations, we have achieved our dream of having this humble building.

“With this centre, the survivors will have a place to stay connected with the community, have a sense of belonging and to regain that sense of hope, meaning and purpose in life,” she remarked.

At the same time, she also thanked other supporters for making the dream a reality and making a difference in the lives of survivors.

At the event, the association also launched their first magazine.

Present were Assistant Minister in the Chief Minister’s Department (Law, State-Federal Relations and Project Monitoring) cum association advisor Datuk Sharifah Hasidah Sayeed Aman Ghazali and Assistant Minister of Family and Children Development Rosey Yunus.

Raghad (third right) cuts a ribbon to symbolically launch the association’s magazine.