KUCHING, Mar 2: Sarawak Children’s Cancer Society (SCCS) launched their 11th annual awareness and fundraiser campaign, Go Bald 2019, at Vivacity Megamall here yesterday.
First launched in 2009, Go Bald is the largest and the first head-shaving charity event in the state.
This signature fundraising event for SCCS gives the public an opportunity to carry out a meaningful act, to demonstrate support for children who are battling cancer, and also raises funds for the Society.
The main event for Go Bald 2019 will kick off in Miri on May 5 at Permaisuri Imperial City Mall, in Bintulu on May 12 at The Spring, in Sibu on May 19 at Delta Mall and ending at Kuching on May 26 at Vivacity Megamall.
SCCS revealed in a press release that last year, over RM1 million was raised through Go Bald with over 1,100 heads shaved, with many contributions coming in from all over Sarawak.
For Go Bald 2019, SCCS is targeting to raise another RM1 million with a total of 1,200 head shaves in total for Kuching, Sibu, Bintulu and Miri.
The Society’s operating budget is forecasted at RM2.3 million for this year. Therefore, SCCS aimed to cover this cost with fundraising from Go Bald.
The act of going bald, SCCS reiterated, sends a powerful message that it was all right to lose hair, and that hair loss was only a temporary setback on the road to recovery.
At the same time, participants will also be raising funds for the SCCS through pledges from their families, friends and well-wishers.
SCCS highlighted that each year, approximately 70 children were diagnosed with cancer in Sarawak.
“However, the causes of childhood cancers are unknown and are not strongly linked to lifestyle or environmental risk factors, unlike many adult cancers.
“Despite all that, childhood cancer is considered a ‘modern-day miracle’ due to the significant increase in survival rates, especially in developed, high-income countries.”
With awareness and support, SCCS believed there can be a push for better access to care for children with cancer.
Funds raised from Go Bald will be used to provide accommodation, food and transportation for outstation patients and their caregivers receiving treatment in Sarawak and Miri General Hospital.
It will also provide financial assistance to needy families with children suffering from cancer as well as medical support by way of donation of medical equipment, aid and consumables, and to finance out-of-state transplants that are not provided by the Sarawak General Hospital (SGH).
Other purposes include to provide emotional support to patient and families; organise fun outings, monthly birthday celebrations and annual camps for cancer patients and their families; and carry out educational craft activities for children who were undergoing treatment at the ward and boarding at the halfway home.
Funds will also be used to develop materials on childhood cancer, organise talks to raise awareness about childhood cancer for the public, and educate caregivers on relevant information needed to care for a child battling cancer.
A minimum of RM50 is required to participate in the main event.
Go Bald 2019 pledge cards are available starting from March 1 onwards and can be collected at Kuching in Vivacity Megamall’s Information Counter (10am-9pm daily), SCCS at Taman Desa Wira office (9am-4pm Monday to Friday) and Go Bald booth at Vivacity Megamall (10am-8pm every weekend starting April 6 to 26).
In Miri, cards can be obtained at Somerset Hotel Reception Counter (10am-8pm daily), and Go Bald Roadshow at Permaisuri Imperial City Mall (12pm-8pm every weekend starting April 20 to May 5).
In Sibu, head to Tanahmas Hotel Reception Counter (10am-8pm daily), and Go Bald Roadshow at Delta Mall (12pm-8pm every weekend starting April 28 to May 19) while for Bintulu at The Spring Information Counter (10am-9pm daily).
For more information on Go Bald, please contact SCCS at 082-686276 or email to gobald@sccs.org.my.
Check out the Go Bald website at http://sccs.org.my/events/go-bald/ and visit their Facebook page at www.facebook.com/GoBald. — DayakDaily
