Sarawak Children’s Cancer Society opens ‘Samuel Beats Cancer Balloon Maze’ at Sibu’s Wisma Sanyan

SIBU (Sept 28): Sarawak Children’s Cancer Society (SCCS) has launched the ‘Samuel Beats Cancer Balloon Maze’ at Wisma Sanyan here, run in conjunction with Childhood Cancer Awareness Month.

The exhibition is open until tomorrow (Sept 29).

Speaking at the launching ceremony yesterday, Deputy Minister of Public Health, Housing and Local Government Sarawak Datuk Michael Tiang acknowledged the emotional stress and pressure being put on the children wanting to get through the cancer treatment.

“The journey is often painful and difficult; it is not just about losing hair and feeling unwell most of the time, but there is a lot more happening in the child; emotionally and psychologically.

“At a very young age, there is so little that these children can control. And definitely, for parents, seeing their children suffering can be heartbreaking.

“That is why greater awareness and support is important to ensure these children could receive the best possible medical treatment,” he said.

The Pelawan assemblyman said that despite not having a known cause, childhood cancers could be treated when detected early.

In this regard, he highlighted the need to raise awareness of the importance of early detection, with it being crucial to increase the survival rate.

“There is always hope and the key is in early detection and awareness.

“That is why today’s event is so important towards creating awareness to empower parents, caregivers, and healthcare providers to recognise the early signs of childhood cancer and take swift action.

“I am told that through Balloon Maze, visuals of symptoms and warning signs are created using balloons, making this event both fun and educational,” he added.

According to the SCCS, every five days, a child in Sarawak is diagnosed with cancer, with 60 to 70 new cases being reported annually.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) also states cancer is one of the leading causes of death of children and adolescents.

Also present yesterday were SCCS president Mary Kiu, Grolite Group directors Aaron Song and Sandra Song, and also Wisma Sanyan executive director Mohammad Yakub Mohammad Tufail.