| Aziz Idris |
A TOTAL of BND3,000 was donated to the Children’s Cancer Foundation (YASKA) from the British High Commission in Brunei Darussalam and Relentless Entertainment Brunei yesterday.
The donation was part of proceeds from the Joss Stone Charity Gala Performance in February. The mock cheque presentation was held at Paediatric Oncology Ward of the Women and Children’s Centre, Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Saleha (RIPAS) Hospital.
British High Commissioner to Brunei Darussalam Richard Lindsay presented the donation to Vice Chairperson of YASKA Tsara’ Nawwarah binti Abdullah Chen, who is also the Occupational Therapist at the Paediatric Oncology Ward.
Founders of Relentless Entertainment Brunei Amy Cheong Sui Ying and Mardi Hedus along with Paediatric Oncologist from RIPAS Hospital Dr Hajah Norehan binti Haji Johari also attended.
Prior to the cheque presentation, the high commissioner toured the Paediatric Ward to learn more about YASKA’s role in supporting the patients and their families.
“We are delighted that we were able to combine a great cultural exchange event and raise funds for an important charity. At the same time, it is always important to give back to society,” the high commissioner said.
YASKA is a non-governmental organisation that provides information and support for children diagnosed with cancer and their families.
RIPAS Hospital has provided treatment for children with cancer since the 1980s. A dedicated Children’s Oncology Team was first established in 2004, under the guidance of DP Dr Lim MK, comprising a medical officer and three nurses. Since then, the number of nurses at the section has increased. The Paediatric Oncology Ward has since moved into the Women and Children’s Centre of RIPAS Hospital.
The ward, dedicated solely to the care of children with blood and cancer diseases, houses 10 single rooms, one multisensory room, a four-bedded bay area, one outpatient clinic, a toy library, a classroom, and a resource centre for the children and parents.
The Occupational Therapy Unit conducts play therapy sessions for the children to aid their recovery, while an onsite teacher from the Special Education Unit, Ministry of Education, helps the children keep up with their school work.
In the past 10 years, 139 child cancer patients had been reported in Brunei Darussalam. An average of 10 to 15 cases is referred to YASKA every year, with leukaemia accounting for more than half the cases. The remaining include brain tumours, bone tumour, lymphoma, soft tissue sarcoma, and Wilm’s Tumours, among others.
Children afflicted with cancers – and their parents – can often feel very alone in their fight against the disease. They usually feel lost when faced with the enormous weight and task of treatment and therapy.
The opening of the Children Oncology Ward is therefore a particularly important and a beneficial step forward in helping the children and their parents.