8 July 2016, Singapore – KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital (KKH) together with SingHealth Duke-NUS Academic Medical Centre’s Paediatrics Academic Clinical Programme (ACP) are making a bald statement of support for children with cancer.
By partnering with Children’s Cancer Foundation (CCF) to hold a Hair for Hope satellite event at KKH, doctors, nurses, researchers, scientists, educators and staff, together with some patients and supporters, are shaving their heads to show support for children with cancer, raise awareness for childhood cancer, and raise funds for the Foundation.
The first Academic Medical Centre in Singapore to be a satellite partner in CCF’s annual fundraising event, KKH and the SingHealth Duke-NUS Paediatrics ACP have together raised more than $197,000 on this first attempt, in support of children with cancer. This places the SingHealth Duke-NUS Paediatrics ACP and KKH as the current top satellite partner for Hair for Hope 2016.
In this united show of support, 51 people will be having their head shaved – 42 of whom are from KKH. Two KKH staff have emerged among Hair for Hope’s top five shavees, with respective donations of more than $38,000 and $28,000.
Taking the lead in this meaningful cause are Academic Chair for the SingHealth Duke-NUS Paediatrics ACP, Associate Professor Ng Kee Chong, who is also Chairman, Division of Medicine, KKH and Associate Professor Chan Mei Yoke, Head and Senior Consultant, Haematology/ Oncology Service, KKH. Senior leaders from KKH who are participating include Professor Kenneth Kwek (Chief Executive Officer), Ms Chong Pik Wan (Chief Development Officer), Mr Alson Goh (Chief Operating Officer) and Ms Chua Pek Kim (Director Human Resource).
"The SingHealth Duke-NUS Paediatrics ACP leads in contributing to world-class medical research and plays a pivotal role in shaping the future of paediatric care in Singapore. Operating out of both the KKH and Singapore General Hospital campuses, we are pleased to support CCF in making a difference in the lives of children with cancer," said Associate Professor Ng Kee Chong.
"As the leading tertiary referral centre for paediatrics, KKH cares for the majority of children with cancer in Singapore. We are proud to stand baldly together with our fellow colleagues on this common mission to bring hope and to identify with young patients with cancer and their families," added Associate Professor Chan Mei Yoke.
"CCF has been part of the multi-disciplinary team in KKH in providing holistic care to children with cancer and their families. Going beyond providing medical care and support for our beneficiaries, the courageous act of shaving by the hospital staff sends a powerful message to children with cancer that they are not alone in the fight against cancer," said Mr Ho Cheng Huat, Chairperson of CCF.
This event marks the latest collaborative partnership between SingHealth Duke-NUS Paediatrics ACP and CCF, which in 2015, had jointly established the Tan Cheng Lim –CCF Professorship in Paediatric Oncology, to promote continued learning and innovative medical research amongst future generations of paediatricians in Singapore.
