Dr Goh (right) and Koay are all smiles after getting their heads shaved.
IT WAS heartwarming to see almost 40 people getting their heads shaved to help raise money for Kasih Hospice Foundation, an NGO that provides free hospice services.
Themed “Shave for Kasih 2.0”, the charity event also saw six hairstylists volunteering their time at the hospice headquarters in SS3, Petaling Jaya.
Among those who shaved their heads were the foundation’s president and co-founding member Datuk Dr Goh Pik Pin and Dell Technologies general manager Koay Tze Siang.
Dell Technologies has been a long-time partner of the foundation and has provided continuous support for this initiative.
Wong shaving the head of Mok at the Shave for Kasih 2.0 charity event.
Dr Goh, a retired ophthalmologist, said this was their first public event since the Covid-19 pandemic started.
“This initiative is significant to the people we care for, who are mostly terminally ill cancer patients. They undergo chemotherapy and as a result, they lose their hair.
“We want to give them confidence, so both of us shaved our heads,” she said.
Dr Goh said they aimed to raise RM250,000 for the hospice to continue providing palliative care for Stage 4 cancer patients and end-stage kidney failure patients and their families.
With the foundation’s operational cost of RM1.6mil a year, she said they needed to create awareness about their services and need for more funding.
The foundation provides services to nearly 1,000 patients annually.
It arranges for doctors and nurses to visit patients at their homes to manage symptoms and also teach families basic caregiving skills besides lending them medical equipment.
The foundation also supports the psychosocial, emotional and spiritual needs of the patients and their families.
“We have workshops and talks for the public on how to prepare for the death of their loved ones
“It is an uncomfortable but necessary subject and we hope in future it will no longer be uncomfortable (to talk about),” said Dr Goh.
“We tell family members about the hospice experience and our nurses help them during bereavement,” she said.
Koay said his company had collaborated on many charity initiatives with the foundation for 15 years.
“Today is the next level and so far, we have helped to raise close to RM80,000.”
Retiree and regular hospital volunteer Mok Check Boon, 61, said this was his second time shaving his head for the foundation.
“I am learning how to approach life with dignity and improve my quality of life.
“I also advocate to people what the foundation is all about,” he added.
Model Norzawani Zakiah Khairul Zaki, 26, and her sister Noraqilah Zakiah, 23, a barista, lost their mother last year to lung cancer at the age of 52.
The support they received from the foundation helped ease their painful journey.
Norzawani said: “Kasih Hospice prepped us both mentally and physically to take care of our mum, and they helped us a lot in terms of medication and motivation.”
She believes it is important for caregivers to maintain good mental health so that they can provide optimal care.
“A doctor told us to say four phrases to our mum which were ‘thank you’, ‘I love you’, ‘I forgive you’, and ‘I’m sorry.’
According to Norzawani, they said those words to their mother every day.
“Our mum was bedridden, but she would respond to it,” she added.
Hairdresser Airene Wong, 65, led the group of hairstylists who went to great lengths to help at the event.
“The hairstylists closed their shops for the day and travelled a considerable distance to participate.
“I am happy I was asked to help. I think those who volunteered have a big heart,” said Wong.
For details on Kasih Hospice Foundation or volunteering, call 03-7865 6522 or visit www.kasihhospice.org
