Co-organised by the Rotary Club of Greentown and Tenby Schools Ipoh Interact Club, a charity fundraising dinner running on the theme, “Night of Disney” successfully raised about RM26,000 on Friday, March 3. Held at the ballroom of the Excelsior Hotel, the funds from the charity drive will be channelled towards the purchase of necessary equipment for the oncology department of the paediatric ward of Hospital Raja Permaisuri Bainun (HRPB) via the National Cancer Society of Malaysia. It also bears the cost of treatment for affected children.
“Child cancer is the leading cause of death by disease in children under 15 years old. Childhood cancer research is vastly and persistently underfunded. Tonight, the funds that we raise will go towards purchasing machines that will aid early diagnosis of cancer in children which is vital for their survival,” Jane Kuok (pic), the campus principal stated in her speech.
Subsequently, Dr Aishah, an oncologist from HRPB presented a child cancer talk. “In HRPB Ipoh, we have diagnosed around 50 to 60 new cases of childhood cancer in Perak every year. That means, one child is diagnosed with cancer every five days and roughly one in those five children will lose their battle of fighting cancer. You might be thinking to yourself, why should I care? Or how does this affect me? Childhood cancer impacts everyone in some way or another. There are many ways to get involved and start being the voice for these children. For me, what you are doing tonight is just amazing,” she said.
Attended by over 400 donning yellow ribbons to raise childhood cancer awareness, also present was Mark Parkinson, CEO of Tenby Schools.
The lively evening ensued with flash mob, charades, lucky draw and singing performance.
Formed in 2008, Tenby Schools Ipoh Interact Club currently has 84 active members with over 30 completed projects.
Mei Kuan
