theborneopost.com

1 child down with cancer every 5 days in Sarawak

      Lim How Pim, reporters@theborneopost.com

KUCHING: At least 50 children in the state are diagnosed with cancer annually, said Sarawak Children’s Cancer Society (SCCS) manager Jodie Sim.
    “In Sarawak, one child is diagnosed with cancer every five days. That makes about 50 to 60 new cases a year,” she told reporters covering the Satellite Shave organised by Toyota Boulevard Jaya Sdn Bhd and SCCS yesterday.
       Given the grim statistics, Sim opined that parents should be better educated with the signs and symptoms of cancer as early detection and better access to medical care nowadays would help in survival rates.
       To create and enhance awareness, she said SCCS would organise an awareness campaign ‘Gold Ribbon Week’ at Plaza Merdeka here from Sept 21 to 27, in conjunction with the Childhood Cancer Awareness Month that is celebrated every September.
     “Our members will be at the Centre Court, Plaza Merdeka, from 10am to 10pm daily during the Gold Ribbon Week.
     “Many people know about Go Bald, but they may not know why. We want to let the people know why we are organising it.”
       She said a blood donation campaign would take place from 11am to 4pm on Sept 26 in connection with the cancer awareness week.
      “A lot of blood is needed for cancer patients, so we are organising one blood donation drive to urge families of cancer patients to pay back to the Blood Bank.
      “On Sept 27, we will launch an SCCS documentary, which took us about two years to film.
        We want to let people know about what SCCS is and what we are doing.”
Sim added that a cancer awareness talk would be held at Borneo Medical Centre here on Oct 13.
       Among the topics to be covered is bone marrow transplant, she said, as many people have the wrong impression about this medical procedure.
     “The talk will clear the myths about bone marrow transplant and how people can become donors.”
        On the Satellite Shave, she said Damai Beach Resort would be having one at the resort’s pool this coming Aug 30.
       Those interested to participate can contact Damai Beach Resort.
With now close to 900 members, SCCS needs some RM1.5 million every year to cover annual operating expenses, but its Go Bald campaign thus far this year raised only about RM800,000.
       According to Sim, the Society runs a support and care centre in Desa Wira here. The centre is capable of accommodating 13 patients at any one time.
    “We provide free accommodation, send patients to the Sarawak General Hospital, and offer food as well. Our new centre in Miri will be ready in the last quarter of the year.
   “We will need more money once the centre in Miri begins its operation. Besides, SCCS hopes to start one centre in Sibu.”
      A press statement issued by SCCS said childhood cancer is now the leading cause of death among children and adolescents in developed and developing countries.
   “In some countries, deaths due to childhood cancer are more than the combined deaths from all types of childhood illnesses.
    “However, 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, let us push for better access to care for children with cancer.”

 My comments:

Tweet and blog  29/5/2018   Going Bald

        Going bald for cancer children is indeed a good deed to perform.  I can see that more and more people are pulled to perform the deed.  No doubt, it is encouraging to carry out the activity one after another more frequently than ever before.  The organiser of the activity is committed to the cause.  It is no doubt good to perform.

        But I think what is as important is to find out the causes of the problem.  Find out Why One child in every five days in Sarawak is down with cancer. 

        I wonder how much financial support the Sarawak government has contributed to Sarawak Childhood’s Cancer Centre.  The participation of the government is very, very, very, very …..important.  The contribution should be  70% government and 30% from the public.  Otherwise, it is not fair to the public who have already paid so many kinds of taxes.  Besides, having the government participation and contribution will push them to find out the causes of the problem as they have the resources to carry out investigation and research.

        Besides, I also suggest that the society be CAT enough to make the accounts transparent and accountable to uphold the principle of credibility.