Latest news with #SCCS
Borneo Post
a day ago
- Health
- Borneo Post
Lau: First-time participation in GoBald motivated by past experiences
Lorna shaves Lau's head. SIBU (June 16): This year's GoBald 2025 campaign holds a special meaning for Councillor Kevin Lau, who decided to have his head shaved for the first time yesterday in support for children suffering from cancer. The Sarawak United People's Party (SUPP) Bawang Assan branch chairman described his participation during a private event here as an emotional one closely related to past experiences with young cancer patients. 'During my time serving as Sibu Hospital Board of Visitors chairman, I saw firsthand the difficulties faced by families of children with cancer. At that time, I often met with the parents of children undergoing treatment. 'The hospital had also requested financial assistance from us, especially to cover the cost of transporting patients from Sibu to Kuching or Kuala Lumpur for immediate treatment,' he said. Recalling the difficulties faced by the families of patients, Lau said this included how their children had to undergo intensive treatment and the emotional burden borne by their parents. He added that the experience left a deep impression on him that remains in his memory to this day. 'I sympathise with them. Today, on Father's Day, I feel a deeper connection with all these parents,' he said. The private event, held in conjunction with Father's Day, saw Lau's head shaved by Sarawak Children's Cancer Society (SCCS) honorary advisor Datin Patinggi Puan Sri Datuk Wira Lorna Enan Muloon Chan. He lauded SCCS for successfully organising GoBald and other programmes every year to raise awareness on childhood cancer and encourage people to donate for a good cause. 'GoBald is not just symbolic, but a message of hope for those directly involved. This event is not only to raise awareness, but also to give hope to parents and strength to the children. 'They face various challenges during treatment and need high spirits. With continued support, adequate funds and medical care, they can recover and lead normal lives,' he said. He highlighted that children undergoing cancer treatment are often isolated from their peers and unable to lead normal lives. 'That is why I find this experience a very meaningful one, and I really hope that GoBald continues to receive strong support from all parties this year.' Lau also praised the hard work of SCCS and called on more individuals and parents to join their effort to raise awareness on childhood cancer. 'I know there are many people and parents out there who are very concerned about the plight of these children. I hope we can all continue to work together to raise awareness and bring hope to their lives,' he said. Meanwhile, Lorna said the GoBald campaign has proven effective in raising public awareness. 'We work with certain individuals who usually keep their hair short. When they let it grow for a year and then shave it off, people start asking is they are okay or if they are sick. 'This is because not everyone knows the real reason. Maybe they think it's just a fashion. But when they know the reason, it indirectly raises awareness. 'So, when people see Kevin, they will know that he is one individual who has played a significant role in raising awareness about childhood cancer,' she said. cancer patient community fund raising GoBald Kevin Lau lead
Borneo Post
a day ago
- Health
- Borneo Post
GoBald: First-time participation motivated by past experiences – Lau
Lorna shaves Lau's head. SIBU (June 16): This year's GoBald 2025 campaign holds a special meaning for Councillor Kevin Lau, who decided to have his head shaved for the first time yesterday in support for children suffering from cancer. The Sarawak United People's Party (SUPP) Bawang Assan branch chairman described his participation during a private event here as an emotional one closely related to past experiences with young cancer patients. 'During my time serving as Sibu Hospital Board of Visitors chairman, I saw firsthand the difficulties faced by families of children with cancer. At that time, I often met with the parents of children undergoing treatment. 'The hospital had also requested financial assistance from us, especially to cover the cost of transporting patients from Sibu to Kuching or Kuala Lumpur for immediate treatment,' he said. Recalling the difficulties faced by the families of patients, Lau said this included how their children had to undergo intensive treatment and the emotional burden borne by their parents. He added that the experience left a deep impression on him that remains in his memory to this day. 'I sympathise with them. Today, on Father's Day, I feel a deeper connection with all these parents,' he said. The private event, held in conjunction with Father's Day, saw Lau's head shaved by Sarawak Children's Cancer Society (SCCS) honorary advisor Datin Patinggi Puan Sri Datuk Wira Lorna Enan Muloon Chan. He lauded SCCS for successfully organising GoBald and other programmes every year to raise awareness on childhood cancer and encourage people to donate for a good cause. 'GoBald is not just symbolic, but a message of hope for those directly involved. This event is not only to raise awareness, but also to give hope to parents and strength to the children. 'They face various challenges during treatment and need high spirits. With continued support, adequate funds and medical care, they can recover and lead normal lives,' he said. He highlighted that children undergoing cancer treatment are often isolated from their peers and unable to lead normal lives. 'That is why I find this experience a very meaningful one, and I really hope that GoBald continues to receive strong support from all parties this year.' Lau also praised the hard work of SCCS and called on more individuals and parents to join their effort to raise awareness on childhood cancer. 'I know there are many people and parents out there who are very concerned about the plight of these children. I hope we can all continue to work together to raise awareness and bring hope to their lives,' he said. Meanwhile, Lorna said the GoBald campaign has proven effective in raising public awareness. 'We work with certain individuals who usually keep their hair short. When they let it grow for a year and then shave it off, people start asking is they are okay or if they are sick. 'This is because not everyone knows the real reason. Maybe they think it's just a fashion. But when they know the reason, it indirectly raises awareness. 'So, when people see Kevin, they will know that he is one individual who has played a significant role in raising awareness about childhood cancer,' she said. cancer patient community fund raising GoBald Kevin Lau lead
Borneo Post
07-06-2025
- Health
- Borneo Post
GoBald 2025 calls for public support in solidarity with children fighting cancer
Some of the participants from last year's GoBald initiative. — Photo by Chimon Upon KUCHING (June 7): The Sarawak Children's Cancer Society (SCCS) is calling on members of the public to show their support for children battling cancer by joining GoBald 2025, with online registration still open. Now in its 17th year, GoBald is the first and largest head-shaving charity event in Sarawak, and a major awareness and fundraising campaign by SCCS, the society said in a press release today. GoBald is a bold public act of solidarity with children battling cancer and a vital fundraiser that helps provide critical support to them and their families. The first main shave event of GoBald 2025 will take place at the Ground Floor Concourse, The Imperial Mall, Miri on June 15. Walk-in registration begins at 10am, and the shaving event runs from 1.30pm to 4pm. This year's campaign carries the theme 'Leave Your Mark', serving as a powerful call to action for individuals, families, and communities to come together and be part of something greater. Funds raised through GoBald go directly toward essential services such as medical aid, specialised treatment, and holistic care for childhood cancer patients. 'Every donation and every shaved head brings hope and strength to children facing the fight of their lives.' The Society expresses heartfelt gratitude to its sponsors and partners for their unwavering support namely Ibraco Berhad, Ray's Salon, Maison Monica Hair & Beauty Academy, Fion Hair Studio, Paul & Jennifer, Danny Hair Academy, T2H Eternity Saloon, Paradise Borneo, Aaron Soon Photography, DK Photography, Village Sound, Aeon Mall Kuching and The Imperial Mall Miri. SCCS said participants can choose to raise funds only, shave their heads or do both. A minimum fundraising amount of RM50 is required for SCCS-sponsored head shaves. Last year, GoBald raised over RM781,000 with more than 290 participants shaving their heads in a show of courage and compassion. This year, SCCS aims to raise RM1 million and recruit at least 400 shaves to further enhance and expand its support services. The Society's operations cost approximately RM2 million annually, with more than 70 per cent directly channelled into supporting children and their families. Last year, SCCS incurred RM2.9 million in total expenses, driven by an urgent increase in medical aid sponsorships exceeding RM500,000. To register, visit and follow @sccsmy on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok for updates. For corporate social responsibility (CSR) collaborations or to organise a satellite shave, contact SCCS at 082-686276 or email [email protected] . charity event GoBald lead Sarawak Children's Cancer Society
The National
11-05-2025
- Politics
- The National
Time is 'running out' to mitigate climate change in Scotland
The warning comes as legal action against the UK Government's 'inadequate' climate adaption programme is being taken to Europe's top human rights court. Backed by the charity Friends of the Earth, two men who believe their lives have been 'ruined' by extreme weather events and rising temperatures caused by the climate crisis are going to the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) on the grounds that the UK response is failing to recognise their human rights. Kevin Jordan, whose seaside home was demolished after being hit by severe storms and rising sea levels, and Doug Paulley, whose multiple disabilities are worsened by rising temperatures, say the UK's approach to the changing climate is 'flawed'. The Scottish Government has also come under fire from climate campaigners who say last week's Programme for Government did not go far enough to mitigate against climate change. While welcoming the move to reverse the 'misguided' decision to reimpose peak rail fares, Stop Climate Chaos Scotland said time was rapidly running out to deliver on a series of other critical commitments which have been promised for some time, including increasing native woodland creation and restoring peatlands. The group also said questions remained over how the Heat In Buildings Bill's 'overdue' and 'watered-down' targets for installing clean heating systems will accelerate the positive impacts on health, bills and planet that are urgently needed. READ MORE: Pro-Palestine activists protest against Israel at Eurovision opening ceremony 'Ultimately, the time for promises of action is past,' said Mike Robinson, chair of Stop Climate Chaos Scotland (SCCS). 'We urgently need to accelerate the speed of delivery, including by doing more to ensure we make polluters – like those who choose to travel by private jets – pay for their climate damage. 'We are also very concerned that the First Minister is putting increasing reliance and public funds towards unproven carbon capture and hydrogen technologies, instead of cutting emissions and moving away from our dependence on volatile fossil fuels markets. 'All MSPs must now heed the calls of the many people who have signed our recent petition urging faster climate action and the majority of the public that we know support this.' Rosie Heptonstall, a mother of two who works with Parents for Future Scotland, one of SCCS's 73 members, added: 'We need to improve standards of living for everyone, whether that's by reducing the bills families pay or by improving the air our children breathe. And we can't do this without moving away from fossil fuels. 'It's absolutely essential to have ambitious climate targets and to be working towards them, not just for our future but for the future of our children as well.' Liz Murray, head of Scottish campaigns at Global Justice Now, said it was 'strikingly noticeable' that the Programme for Government made no mention of fossil fuels, the root cause of the climate crisis. 'Public polling shows that most voters want to see leadership from politicians on climate change, so between now and the Holyrood elections, the Scottish Government must accelerate Scotland's move away from climate-wrecking fossil fuels and towards clean energy to strengthen our energy security, lower our bills and create new green jobs,' she said. READ MORE: Body recovered from loch after major search operation Meanwhile, the Scottish Rewilding Alliance (SRA) said nature was once again the Scottish Government's 'blind spot', undermining John Swinney's promises to make Scots healthier and wealthier. 'The Programme for Government is a missed opportunity for transforming Scotland from one of the world's most nature-depleted countries to a forward-looking Rewilding Nation with 30% nature recovery across land and sea,' said Karen Blackport, co-convenor of the Scottish Rewilding Alliance and chief executive of Bright Green Nature. 'Rewilding boosts health, jobs and local economies and helps tackle climate breakdown – but the Government still lacks a nature minister or a plan for the large-scale recovery of Scotland's ecosystems. Instead, ministers are backtracking on beavers, stalling on real protections for marine areas and showing a loss of nerve on lynx reintroduction by dodging reasoned debate on this crucial issue. 'We want to see a Programme for Government that makes Scotland healthier, wealthier – and wilder.' Net Zero Secretary Gillian Martin said: 'This Government is taking forward vital climate measures such as abolishing peak rail fares for good to encourage people to use public transport, facilitating onshore and offshore wind projects to decarbonise electricity, investing in decarbonisation of heat for our homes and investing in peatland restoration to sequester carbon. 'And last week, the First Minister attended an event with climate activists and entrepreneurs to discuss, alongside other matters, climate debt for developing nations. We will not shy away from the vital action needed to reach net-zero by 2045.'
