Catwalk show to build confidence
(From third left) Mahani with Chua, Oh and other event sponsors, briefing the media on the initiative.
FOR many women battling cancer, hair loss is one of the numerous side effects they have to deal with.
Even after the disease is defeated, the physical reminders often linger.
Some continue to face thinning hair, uneven regrowth or permanent hair loss, all of which can take a toll on self-esteem.
Acknowledging this silent struggle, thoughtful individuals have come together to give 100 women cancer patients and survivors a chance to be celebrated like beauty queens at 'Dreams Stage Show'.
Event organiser Sheila Oh said 100 youth volunteers have been recruited to help style the participants.
'They will receive full makeovers, which will include professional hairstyling with wigs, makeup and outfits as well as personal coaching on stage presence.
'The highlight will be the runway show where each participant will walk the stage cheered on by family, friends and supporters,' she said during the press conference in Seri Kembangan, Selangor.
Oh expressed gratitude to sponsors who had come forward to make the event a reality.
She said the idea for the event was first suggested by one of the sponsors.
Gaga Hair co-founder and chief operating officer Friday Chua, who runs a business selling wigs, said it was a deeply personal encounter that inspired him to get involved.
'A woman walked into my salon with a cloth wrapped around her head.
'She removed it and told me she wanted to look good for her daughter's wedding, and did not want to embarrass her family because of the way she looked.
'Her words struck me hard.
'I tried a wig on her and in that moment, I saw her sorrowful expression transform into a bright smile,' he recalled.
Chua shared that this experience made him wonder how many other women would have been in a similar situation and felt the same way.
This got the ball rolling for this event.
Mahani Kassim, the president of show co-organiser Pink Unity, said many participants admitted that they had never imagined being part of something like this.
Pink Unity is a cancer support initiative for women under National Cancer Society of Malaysia.
'Women are generally vain and this does not change with cancer.
'Some have avoided social events altogether since their treatment, because of the way they look.
'When they go out, they will try to dress up and look their best despite carrying deep burdens in their hearts from their silent struggle with cancer.
'They just want to look like everyone else and not stick out due to their appearance,' she said, adding that some participants were in end-of-life care.
Mahani described the event as a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that would be very meaningful for the women.
The Dream Stage Show is set to take place on Aug 17 at Confetti Kuala Lumpur at Mines Commercial Centre on Jalan Mines 2 in Mines Wellness City, Seri Kembangan.
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The Star
13 hours ago
- The Star
Catwalk show to build confidence
(From third left) Mahani with Chua, Oh and other event sponsors, briefing the media on the initiative. FOR many women battling cancer, hair loss is one of the numerous side effects they have to deal with. Even after the disease is defeated, the physical reminders often linger. Some continue to face thinning hair, uneven regrowth or permanent hair loss, all of which can take a toll on self-esteem. Acknowledging this silent struggle, thoughtful individuals have come together to give 100 women cancer patients and survivors a chance to be celebrated like beauty queens at 'Dreams Stage Show'. Event organiser Sheila Oh said 100 youth volunteers have been recruited to help style the participants. 'They will receive full makeovers, which will include professional hairstyling with wigs, makeup and outfits as well as personal coaching on stage presence. 'The highlight will be the runway show where each participant will walk the stage cheered on by family, friends and supporters,' she said during the press conference in Seri Kembangan, Selangor. Oh expressed gratitude to sponsors who had come forward to make the event a reality. She said the idea for the event was first suggested by one of the sponsors. Gaga Hair co-founder and chief operating officer Friday Chua, who runs a business selling wigs, said it was a deeply personal encounter that inspired him to get involved. 'A woman walked into my salon with a cloth wrapped around her head. 'She removed it and told me she wanted to look good for her daughter's wedding, and did not want to embarrass her family because of the way she looked. 'Her words struck me hard. 'I tried a wig on her and in that moment, I saw her sorrowful expression transform into a bright smile,' he recalled. Chua shared that this experience made him wonder how many other women would have been in a similar situation and felt the same way. This got the ball rolling for this event. Mahani Kassim, the president of show co-organiser Pink Unity, said many participants admitted that they had never imagined being part of something like this. Pink Unity is a cancer support initiative for women under National Cancer Society of Malaysia. 'Women are generally vain and this does not change with cancer. 'Some have avoided social events altogether since their treatment, because of the way they look. 'When they go out, they will try to dress up and look their best despite carrying deep burdens in their hearts from their silent struggle with cancer. 'They just want to look like everyone else and not stick out due to their appearance,' she said, adding that some participants were in end-of-life care. Mahani described the event as a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that would be very meaningful for the women. The Dream Stage Show is set to take place on Aug 17 at Confetti Kuala Lumpur at Mines Commercial Centre on Jalan Mines 2 in Mines Wellness City, Seri Kembangan.
New Straits Times
08-06-2025
- New Straits Times
Hawker dies of overexertion after 18-hour workdays to repay debt
SINGAPORE: A trader who worked more than 18 hours a day to repay debts has died from overexertion. Ang Yong Seh, 65, who co-owned a hawker stall along Sin Ming Drive in Upper Thomson, died earlier this year, Shin Min Daily News reported. His wife, Lilian Chua, said Ang had suffered from a persistent cold for three weeks but continued working until just four days before his death. "I was worried about his health, but he said, 'Don't worry, I still have a few good years.' "That night, he complained of breathing difficulties and was rushed to the hospital. By 5am, he was gone," Chua recalled. She stayed by his side at the hospital, urging him to keep fighting. "I told him, 'If I lose you, I won't have the strength to keep the stall going. We've always worked like one pair of hands. Now I've lost one.' "He couldn't speak, but he gripped my hand tightly. Only after I promised to keep the business going did he let go peacefully." Chua revealed that the couple had depleted their savings and fallen into significant debt during the Covid-19 pandemic, suffering losses for three consecutive years. "Our monthly rent was over S$9,000 (RM30,000), and we paid our workers S$4,000 (RM13,200). "But during the pandemic, some days we made barely S$100. It was unsustainable." To repay their debts, Ang pushed himself to the limit. "Before the pandemic, we took one or two days off each month. After that, we only rested for four days during Chinese New Year. "He would leave home by 5am and return around 11pm every day," she said. Although Ang had no chronic medical conditions, doctors confirmed that he died from physical overexertion and a severely weakened immune system.
The Star
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- The Star
Free health checks benefit thousands in Butterworth
Chua (centre) looking on as Wai Kuan undergoes his health check. HAVING drawn over 10,000 visitors to free health tests, the One Hope Charity Health Carnival 2025 in Butterworth, Penang, marked another milestone in early intervention. Organised by non-governmental organisation (NGO) One Hope Charity & Welfare, the weekend event featured 250 booths for 30 types of health screening, tests and treatments. Qualified medical practitioners and specialists attended to visitors to the carnival at the Penang International Convention Cultural & Arts Centre (Picca) Convention Centre. One Hope chairman Datuk Chua Sui Hau said droves of visitors came over the weekend to undergo tests, ranging from basic eye and foot checks to liver and heart examinations. 'This year's edition is the biggest since the health carnival was first organised in 2017, with hospitals and health institutions from various states stepping in to support. 'We had 4,000 blood screenings for cancer markers while 3,000 spectacles were given out. Visitors getting free eye checks during the carnival. — Photos: ZHAFARAN NASIB/The Star 'A total of 5,000 flu vaccines were also administered,' he said, adding that organisers anticipated 8,000 visitors but the turnout surpassed this number. He said RM2.7mil had been spent to hold the event. This included about RM850,000 in donations channelled to various hospitals. Among those who made it for a health check was retired Jelutong contractor Ng Wai Kuan, 71, who uses a wheelchair after having lost a leg in an accident about 20 years ago. 'It's always a long queue at public hospitals and also inconvenient for me to undergo various tests at different sessions. 'When I heard about free health tests available here, I hopped onto my bike and took the ferry across to check it out,' he said. Housewife Maimunah Mat Taib had a massage at a traditional Chinese medicine booth. 'This is the first time I'm trying something like this and after a 15-minute session, I felt such relief,' she said. Teenagers Ng Zi Yu and Chong Xin Yi, both of whom recovered from scoliosis, were among volunteers who explained to visitors about the spinal condition, and treatments available. They both received aid from One Hope for their condition and have since recovered. At the carnival's opening, Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow shared that high numbers of chronic conditions such as diabetes and hypertension was recorded in the state. According to the National Health and Morbidity Survey (NHMS) 2023, the prevalence of diabetes in Penang stood at 18.4%, compared to the national average of 15.5%. Hypertension in Penang was recorded at 31.3% (national average 29.2%), while high cholesterol was 34% (national average 33.3%). Chow said these alarming figures should serve as a wake-up call for Penangites to take better care of their health.
