Tribute to the special mums, kids
Published on: Monday, May 13, 2024
By: Lorena Binisol
Kota Kinabalu: Children suffering from various forms of cancer at the Women and Children Hospital in Likas were treated to a Hari Raya-cum-Mother’s Day celebration at Hyatt Regency, here.
The event was to show support to parents of these children, providing them hope and strength to continue their journey.
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They had the opportunity to mingle and participate in games and activities like normal children.
Among present were Datuk Susan Chang, a philantropist and her spouse, Dr Tan Su Haw, who hosted the event.
Also present were Datuk Al Hambra Tun Juhar, Deputy Speaker and spouse; Dr Asohan Thevarajah, a Consultant-Pediatric Haemato-Oncologist and spouse. Dr Charles Ong, a paeditrician from Likas Hospital; Thor Gervasi, General Manager of Hyatt Regency and Kenny Siau, CEO of Soundtech, and spouse.
Susan had been extending aid for more than 10 years to families of children admitted to Likas Hospital, offering various assistance as needed and sending birthday cakes to the hospital every month.
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She expressed her heartfelt commitment saying it’s her personal capacity to contribute wholeheartedly.
Her motivation to help was humanitarianism, particularly where poverty rates, especially in rural districts, is alarmingly high.
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“As a mother and grandmother, it deeply saddens me to learn of children encountering health challenges.
“In Sabah, a significant proportion of families are still in poverty, leading to adverse conditions for children, particularly in rural areas where access to healthcare is limited.
“Consequently, children often suffer as they are unable to receive the necessary medical treatment and support,” she said.
She hoped others would also extend any assistance to ease their pain. “We need to help the children to get what they deserve in order to get better.”
Susan helps ease the burden of mothers caring for their sick children on Mother’s Day by hosting a luncheon and get together.
“Mothers and ladies caretakers (carers, nurses) are so important in taking care and supporting these superheroes. We salute them for their dedication and love.
“On Mother’s Day, we extend our deepest gratitude not only to mothers but also the remarkable matrons and nurses who tirelessly care for sick children, who are great comforters to those in need,” said Susan.
“Caring for a sick child is not only physically demanding but also emotionally taxing. I empathise with the weight of their responsibilities, added by the financial strains that often accompany medical care,” she said.
Norazwin Eddih, a mother from Menggatal, has been bravely going through the challenging journey of her fifth son, Aryan, who is just over a year old and battling leukemia since last year.
“It’s a natural instinct for a mother to never leave her child helpless.
“I’m grateful for the help from Susan, whose assistance has lightened my burden in some ways. I have to bring Aryan for review every two weeks as his status is of high risk,” said Noraswin.
Ruhiaja Ali, a mother from Kg Lokurai, Pulau Gaya, shared that her 5-year-old son is battling eye cancer.
He underwent surgery to remove the affected eye. She said Mother’s Day holds true significance when children receive the care and support they deserve.
Chen Wen, 44, from Labuan brought her 10-year-old daughter Olivia Tiong, who is battling brain cancer to attend the gathering.
“Nothing in life is more crucial than caring for our helpless children, especially when they need us most during vulnerable times.”
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