Publication - Children`s Cancer Foundation
Transcription
Publication - Children`s Cancer Foundation
TRIBUTE TO OUR CHILDREN NEWSLETTER ISSUE 01/2016 CONTENT 1 New Year Celebrations 2 My Experience with Stem Cell Transplant 3 New Year s n Celebratio PALS Year End Concert 2015 4-5 Annual Family Retreat 6 International Childhood Cancer Day 7- 8 GIRO Form 9 PALS 10-11 Hospital Events 12 Legacy Building Programme Play is for Parents Too! 13-15 Social & Recreational Activities 16-18 Community Partnerships 19 Feature Story – Top Individual Donor 2015 20 Announcements On 9 January 2016, Royal Palm @ Singapore Flyer was filled with laughter as 196 CCF beneficiaries, siblings and parents, together with CCF Patron, Associate Professor Ho Peng Kee; CCF Executive Director, Ms Neo Lay Tin; as well as CCF staff and volunteers gathered to usher in the brand new year! That afternoon, a slew of fun, games, activities and high tea spread were planned for the participants! Upon their arrival, our young beneficiaries zipped to their favourite activity booths to either get ‘inked’ by the airbrush tattoo artist, grab their favourite balloon designs or have their fill at the buffet line! Pei Shan the balloon sculptor was a hit among the boys as she sculpted one balloon ‘lightsaber’ after another, thanks to the popularity of the ‘Star Wars’ movie! The outdoor patio soon became a battlefield as many ‘Jedis’ and ‘Stormtroopers’ engaged in ‘lightsaber’ combats. On the other hand, the girls enjoyed the shimmery magical airbrush paint which transformed them into pixies and fairies. For the caregivers, it was a great opportunity to make new friends, renew ties and have fun bonding with their children. Some of the highlights of the afternoon included musical performances by CCF beneficiaries and a magic show. When Mr Bottle the Magician took to the stage with his magic tricks, the audience was enthralled and everybody enjoyed themselves tremendously! The event culminated with a lucky draw where 30 families went home with attractive lucky draw prizes sponsored by generous donors. Every family also received an exclusive goodie bag. CCF would like to express our deepest appreciation to the volunteers for taking time off their busy schedules to help CCF create beautiful memories for our beneficiaries and their families. A big thank you to Tan Siying the emcee; Shabbna Feroz Khan the photographer; as well as Ang Mingsheng, Brigid Cheong and Tapas Mandal the event volunteers. ring first voluntee “It was my ey th d an F ith CC experience w e th of rt pa a like made me feel t en ev ng about the team. Everythi s pa Ta nised.” – was very orga lunteer vo F C Mandal, C “CCF’s New Year Celebra tion is an an event for my fa nual mily and prov ides me with opportunity to the meet up with many friends. was especially It meaningful to have our youn beneficiaries g performed on stage this ye – May Ong, ca ar!” regiver of CC F beneficiary Darius Wong , 2 My Experience with Stem Cell Transplant My name is Xi Cheng and I am eight years old this year. I completed my stem cell transplant on 8 December 2015 and would like to share my journey with all of you. To prepare for the transplant, a Hickman line was inserted into my chest so that it would not be painful each time I was given an injection or had to withdraw blood. I wished time would stop as I felt very scared and nervous before the surgery. I fell asleep after inhaling some gas from an oxygen mask. During the operation, the doctors installed the catheter and did a bone marrow aspiration for me. Although I felt relieved when I woke up, I also felt horrible as I had to remain in a lying position for another six hours! Next, I had to do conditioning chemotherapy to suppress my immune system, destroy any remaining cancer cells and make room in the bone marrow for new stem cells to grow. The chemotherapy made me nauseous and gave me stomach discomforts but luckily, I was able to borrow the Wii console from CCF to play games which made me very happy. Finally, it was time for the stem cell transplant. I had a lot of wires connected on me that day to monitor my blood pressure, heart rate and oxygen levels. All the nurses in my ward came to my room. While I watched a golf programme, my father who was also my donor, was even more nervous than me! My father’s stem cells were stored in an ice box and one of my favourite nurses connected the line to my large port to start the stem cell transfusion. I felt a little itch at my throat during the process but it was all over in less than 10 minutes. Name: HUO XI CHENG Age: 8 Diagnosis: Acute Myeloid Leukaemia The fifth day after the transplant was one of the toughest days as my blood platelets count dropped drastically and I needed a platelets transfusion. I developed a high fever and kept shivering so the nurses gave me a medication called Diphen which I did not like because it made me drowsy. I am thankful it is all over now and I will only keep the good memories with me. I started to get better after that and became more active. The hospital ward was also my playground. Sometimes, the nurses and doctors even joined me and my sister to play! I spent my time writing many stories about aliens and Zulu people. On day 15 after my transplant, I was discharged and given lots of medication. At home, my parents kept a watchful eye over me. I was not allowed to go out because my white blood cells count was low and I was at risk of infections. However, being at home was much better than in the hospital as I could study, play and do anything I want! I also have to go back to the hospital for routine follow-ups. I hope that my sharing can help other children with cancer and their families. Life is full of challenges and cancer may be one of them. It is important to stay strong and positive to fight cancer. Always follow the doctors’ instructions strictly and with the support from family and friends, cancer will be defeated! 3 PALS Year End Concert 2015 On 16 December 2015, CCF’s Place for Academic Learning and Support (PALS) held its annual year-end celebration to the theme of ’The Merry Minions’. The two-hour merriment was the result of months of hard work and rehearsals by the students at PALS who wanted to put up a splendid performance for their caregivers. After some ice breakers, the concert kicked-off with the first performance, ‘Synchronised Air Swimming’ by PALS students and their favourite ‘Uncle Richard’, a CCF volunteer who has been conducting weekly fitness lessons for the children at PALS for close to two years. The hilarious performance had the audience in stitches as they watched the performers ‘dived’ repeatedly into an imaginary ‘ocean’ filled with large waves to depict the resilience of our beneficiaries in the face of adversities. The second item was a recital which saw PALS students’ great teamwork and coordination in creating a truly unforgettable, harmonious melody with various musical instruments such as the piano, guitar, shaker and handbells. The performance was made possible with the guidance of Music Solutions who had generously extended their professional services to PALS. Shortly after, the performers from PALS were joined by the NUS Choir who prepared a medley of Christmas Carols such as ‘Joy to the World’, ‘Santa Claus is Coming to Town’ and ‘Jingle Bells’. Everyone sang loudly to the familiar tunes and reveled in the spirit of Christmas. It was a truly touching sight! The children were then treated to a magic show by Funny Baby Magician, Aaron Leong, from Party Impact. Everyone roared with laughter at his antics and tricks throughout the performance. Finally, it was time for the event’s highlight – the graduation and award presentation where the graduating students were recognised for their efforts and encouraged to do their best in their studies. Families of the students gleamed with pride as their children went on stage to receive their certificates and awards. The event ended on a sweet note with a short video of the year’s highlights at PALS to celebrate this happy milestone. 4 Annual Family Retreat THE BEST ADVENTURES ALWAYS BRING US BACK HOME! Held from 18 to 21 December 2015, CCF Annual Family Retreat (AFR) saw 14 CCF beneficiaries and their families coming together for a ‘wild’ time in Da Nang, Vietnam. Themed ‘Where the Wild Things Are’, the participants embarked on an adventure to explore the different identities within their family. To start the ball rolling, participants were first introduced to the AFR theme song titled “All is Love” and a mass dance. There were also ice breakers to help participants warm up to each other and to draw out their competitive spirits. After they were grouped, the teams were tasked to design their group identities and compose cheers which best represented them. When it was time to showcase their cheers, the ballroom was filled with laughter as some of the personas and cheers were hilarious! After lunch, the families gathered for a tele-match to pit their wits and strength against each other. The games aimed to encourage teamwork, communication and trust between family members. One of the tele-matches was called “My Home, My Shelter, My Comfort” which saw families fishing out puzzle pieces from a giant pond using their makeshift ‘fishing rods’. The puzzle pieces when pieced together formed a house to represent the sense of comfort a home brings when a family member faces challenges out in the ‘wild’. To conclude Day One, the families decorated their respective booths for the ‘Wild Carnival’ which they would be hosting for the outpatients and their families at Hue Central Hospital the next day. Day Two began with breakfast and a three-hour bus journey to Hue. As soon as the participants reached the hospital, everyone got busy setting up for the much anticipated carnival. There were games, yummy food stalls, creative arts and crafts activities and even a photo corner! The carnival was well received by the Vietnamese participants. One of the AFR teams visited the inpatient Oncology ward at the hospital and introduced the young patients to therapeutic play activities such as Hospital Bingo, Treat Train and medical art kits. It was an uplifting sight to see CCF childhood cancer survivors giving back to the community as they encouraged and inspired the young patients at Hue Central Hospital. 5 Back at the hotel in Da Nang, the teams were re-grouped according to their age range for various psychosocial activities. The children played ‘Monster Toss’ which encouraged them to talk about their feelings and design their own earthquake memory stones. The teens were challenged to work as a team to complete a giant board game while the youth group had to make music with only the use of their mouths. The adults reminisced about their younger and ‘wilder’ days in a heart-to-heart sharing session. Before the night ended, everyone was treated to hot chocolate and marshmallows while watching Da Nang’s famous ‘fire-breathing’ Dragon Bridge which spans over the Han River and is situated right across the hotel! Day Three kicked off with the Gala Night preparations where the families were given funky props and materials to create their own family identity. It was a meaningful activity as individuals reflected on the common things that made them a family. After lunch, the families visited Hoi An Ancient Town, a UNESCO heritage site, where they had free and easy time to shop and do some exploration on their own. They also got hands-on and learnt to make traditional Vietnamese lanterns. The Gala Night began with a buffet dinner and screening of a photo montage of the retreat. The highlight of the night was surely the ‘Wild Fashion Rumpus’ segment where families strutted their stuff on the runway and showcased their uniqueness. It was especially heartwarming as the families shared the inspiration behind their performances with everyone rooting for each other. The night ended on a high note when Santa Claus made an appearance and gave out little Christmas treats to all the children! On the final day, the families visited a silk village for a ‘behind-the-scenes’ tour before returning to Singapore. The families bonded well during the retreat and were reluctant to say their goodbyes. “Thank you CCF for organising the Annual Family Retreat so that childhood cancer survivors and their families from Singapore can visit the patients in Vietnam! The ‘Wild Carnival’ has helped to encourage the fighting spirits of the young patients who are still battling cancer, as well as their parents. We have also learnt a lot from this experience and hope to see you in Hue next year again!” – Dr. Chau Van Ha, Oncologist, Pediatric Centre, Hue Central Hospital 6 PUBLIC EDUCATION International Childhood Cancer Day Organised by Childhood Cancer International (CCI) annually on 15 February, International Childhood Cancer Day (ICCD) is a global collaborative campaign to raise awareness of childhood cancer and to express support for children and adolescents with cancer, the survivors and their families. The gold ribbon is a symbolic representation for childhood cancer awareness and support. Just as how gold becomes stronger and tougher when heated, children with cancer develop resilience when overcoming the difficult and painful challenges in their battle against cancer. This year, CCI launched the Child4Child project, a global initiative dedicated to commemorate ICCD and make childhood cancer a global child health priority. As a member of CCI, CCF is proud to be part of this movement! PALS students, eight-year-old Emma and 11-year-old Xander, lent their voices to record a verse of the campaign theme song titled “We are One” by Christopher Beck, composer for Disney’s Frozen smash hit, Let It Go. Their video recording was uploaded on CCF Facebook and YouTube to encourage support for the project. The full version of “We Are One” was released on 15 February. In celebration of ICCD 2016, CCF volunteers hit Orchard road on 31 January and 14 February 2016 to distribute handmade gold ribbons and brochures. In the week leading up to ICCD, teachers and students from partner schools were also given gold ribbons to pin on their attires in support of children and their families affected by cancer. CCF would like extend our heartfelt appreciation to volunteers who had assisted in the campaign. We would also like to thank the following schools for rendering their support: • Cedar Girls’ Secondary School • Concord Primary School • Eunos Primary School • Kent Ridge Secondary School • Montfort Junior School • Ngee Ann Polytechnic • Qifa Primary School • Tanglin Trust School • Temasek Polytechnic Business Studies Club SHOOTING STARS by Yeo Yawen Megan, 6 Fold Here BUSINESS REPLY SERVICE PERMIT NO.07950 CHILDREN’S CANCER FOUNDATION CCF Community Office 8 Sinaran Drive #03-01 Novena Specialist Centre Singapore 307470 Seal here, do not staple. Seal here, do not staple. Postage will be paid by addressee. For posting in Singapore only. Seal here, do not staple. PERSONAL PARTICULARS NRIC / FIN No / UEN* Name (Dr / Mr / Ms / Mrs / Mdm / Company)* Address Postal Code Tel (Mobile) * * * * (Office) Email A single donation of S$50 and above to CCF will be eligible for IRAS tax deduction of 2.5 times the donated amount in 2016. Please write your NRIC/FIN/UEN number clearly. We will automatically include your donation in your tax assessment by IRAS. As such, we will not issue a separate receipt for your donation. The purposes for which CCF will collect, use and disclose your personal data include but are not limited to verifying your identity; registering your donation and tax reference number with IRAS in order to qualify you for a tax deduction (if applicable); administrative matters on donation payments or refunds. By checking this box, I consent to the use of my personal data provided in this GIRO Form by CCF for the specified purposes of sending me CCF announcements and any other communications on matters pertaining to CCF-related programmes, events and services. I would like to help CCF fund its on-going programmes and services to children with cancer by: Recurring monthly GIRO contribution of $ ___________________________ (Please complete Interbank GIRO Application Form) Increasing my monthly GIRO contribution to $ _______________________ A one-time contribution of $ _______________________ by Cheque / Postal Order / Money Order No.* _______________________ (All cheques should be made payable to “Children’s Cancer Foundation”) Monthly / one-time* contribution of $ _______________________ by VISA / Master Card - - - Expiry Date CVV2 * Please delete where inapplicable Signature / Date INTERBANK GIRO APPLICATION FORM PART 1: FOR APPLICANT’S COMPLETION (Please fill in all fields unless otherwise stated. Incomplete forms may not be processed) Date Name of Billing Organisation ("BO") Children’s Cancer Foundation To My / Our Bank (“Bank”) Expiry date of this authorisation (If applicable) Payment limit (Maximum amount to be deducted per transaction) Branch (a) I/We hereby instruct the Bank to process the BO’s instructions to debit my/our account. (b) The Bank is entitled to reject the BO’s debit instruction if my/our account does not have sufficient funds and charge me/us a fee for this. The Bank may also at its discretion allow the debit even if this results in an overdraft on the account and impose charges accordingly. (c) This authorisation will remain in force until (i) the Bank’s written notice sent to my/our address last known to the Bank; (ii) upon the Bank’s receipt of my/our written revocation; or (iii) upon the Bank’s receipt of the notice of expiry from the BO. (d) If you wish to cancel / alter your GIRO Instructions, please notify Children’s Cancer Foundation in writing or email to [email protected] My / Our Name(s) My / Our Contact Number(s) (Tel) My / Our Account Number (Fax) My / Our Company Stamp / Signature(s) / Thumbprint(s)* (As in Finance Institution’s records) * For thumbprint(s), please go to the branch with your identification document PART 2: FOR BILLING ORGANISATION’S COMPLETION SWIFT BIC Billing Organisation’s Account No Billing Organisation’s Customer Ref No SWIFT BIC Account No. To be Debited (UOVBSGSG) 001 PART 3: FOR FINANCIAL INSTITUTION’S COMPLETION This Application is hereby REJECTED (Please tick ) for the following reason(s): Signature/thumbprint* differs from Financial Institution’s records Signature/thumbprint* incomplete/unclear* Account operated by signature/thumbprint* Name of Approving Wrong Account Number Amendments not countersigned by customer Others ______________________________ Authorised * Please delete where inapplicable To:CCF Community Office 8 Sinaran Drive #03-01 Novena Specialist Centre Singapore 307470 Date Seal here, do not staple. PALS Tooth Decay Prevention Workshop Energy Efficiency and Resource Conservation Workshop On 8 November 2015, PALS students attended an educational talk by Ms Ng Bee Hoon, Dental Therapist, from the Health Promotion Board. During the session, the children learnt more about the common causes of tooth decay and the importance of limiting their intake of sweet drinks, snacks and cultivating good oral hygiene habits to prevent their teeth from decaying. The children were each given a set of toothpaste and toothbrush, courtesy of Colgate, and were taught correct teeth brushing techniques. Everyone went home knowing the importance of maintaining good oral hygiene and a newfound appreciation for their pearly whites! On 9 December 2015, volunteers from the National Environment Agency (NEA) organised an environmental workshop to teach PALS students on using energy efficiently and conserving resources to mitigate climate change and reduce hefty utility bills. The children also had the opportunity to try their hands at reading utility bills and learnt six simple daily energy-saving tips to practise at home. A mini pop quiz was held to test their knowledge and students with correct answers were rewarded with prizes such as notebooks and coasters from NEA! The workshop was made more engaging through a game of ‘Charades’, colouring activities and video clips which revolved around the theme of ‘Climate Change’. The students were treated to balloon sculptures at the end of the workshop and returned home feeling joyful. Contributed by Nurul Syazwani Akhbar, National Environment Agency (NEA) Golden Joys at PALS On 5 February 2016, PALS students had a wonderful time baking ‘Golden Joys’, a type of syrup coated cornflakes, as part of the the Lunar New Year celebrations! The children also decorated containers with auspicious greetings and Lunar New Year designs. Everyone went home with a tummy full of ‘Golden Joys’ and could not wait to share their handmade goodies with their family! 9 10 HOSPITAL EVENTS Christmas Celebrations at CCF@NUH On 15 December 2015, CCF@NUH held its Christmas celebrations at the CCF playroom! The children were treated to a medley of Christmas songs and balloon sculpting activities by volunteers. The children sang to the delightful tunes and got all excited when it was time to choose their favourite balloon designs! With creative and nimble fingers, the balloon artist sculptured tube balloons into different designs such as flowers, swords and animals upon the children’s requests, all in a matter of minutes! The children were thrilled to receive their very own personalised balloons to bring home as souvenirs. Soap Making Workshop at CCF@NUH Birthday Party at CCF@NUH On 4 December 2015, volunteers from Barclays threw a Christmas-themed birthday party at the CCF playroom for CCF beneficiaries born in the month of December. The children got busy with craft work, making their very own Santa Claus using cotton wool and coloured paper. Some of the beneficiaries enjoyed the activity so much that they spontaneously ventured into making other designs as well! After the traditional birthday song and cake cutting ceremony, all the children were surprised with delightful Christmas presents which made their day! On 12 January 2016, the children were all smiles when they learnt that they would be making their personal bar soap using fragrances and natural ingredients. With much excitement, the young ‘soap makers’ listened attentively to the instructors before deciding on their favourite design, colour, scent and decorations. At the end of the session, there were many different shapes of soaps such as butterflies, jellies and sunflowers! The children could not wait to head home for shower time with their own handmade soap! Christmas Ballerinas at CCF@KKH On 8 December 2015, the beneficiaries at CCF@KKH had the privilege to watch a ballet performance titled “The Christmas Story Told Through a Ballet Performance” by the renowned Austrian Ballet Company-Tokyo from Japan at the CCF playroom! The playroom was magically transformed with elaborate props and uplifting classical music. After the performance, the ballerinas also visited the children in the ward and took Polaroid photos with the patients. Thank you Austrian Ballet Company-Tokyo for volunteering your time to create wonderful Christmas memories for our children! HOSPITAL EVENTS Christmas Party at CCF@KKH On 22 December 2015, beneficiaries at CCF@KKH were joined by volunteers from PartyMojo Pte Ltd who taught them the art of building snowmen with instant snow foam and creating Christmas decorations with various craft materials. The children were exceptionally thrilled when Santa Claus made a special appearance at the party with a huge bag of candies! The young participants had so much fun singing and dancing with Santa. At the end of the party, the children went home with generous goodie bags sponsored by PartyMojo and a private donor. Thank you PartyMojo for bringing the Christmas joy to our children at CCF@KKH! Clay Fun at CCF@KKH On 28 January 2016, the children at CCF@KKH were introduced to clay modeling. They moulded, kneaded and rolled the different coloured clays to create their favourite animal artworks. The younger children decorated Merlions while the older ones made three-dimensional teddy bear clay figurines. One of the children shared that he loved the cheeks of his Merlion the most! Thank you Clay Works Singapore for engaging the children with clay craft! Lunar New Year Celebrations at CCF@NUH It was a morning of fun, enjoyment and learning for the children at CCF@NUH on 2 February 2016 as they gathered to celebrate the Lunar New Year. The party commenced with an entertaining magic performance followed by an opera mask painting session guided by professional mask painters. The kids wasted no time painting their plain white masks enthusiastically with vibrant colours and took lots of photos with their masterpieces! During the session, the children were also introduced to Chinese tradition and cultures. Everyone went home with a greater appreciation for the Lunar New Year festivities. 11 12 Legacy Building Programme CCF’s Legacy Building programme seeks To provide a positive and creative way for the beneficiaries and their families to make meaning of their cancer journey and facilitate resilience in adversity To promote family bonding and communications To reduce caregivers’ distress1 and bring solace to bereaved families through fond memories and remembrance of their loved ones Aiman’s Legacy Legacy-building activities include scrapbooking, photographs, artworks, videos, song-writing, poetry, memory boxes, handprints and/or footprints and journals, just to name a few. Legacy building can be used as a vital tool in paediatric palliative care to make a positive impact in the lives of children with cancer as well as their caregivers. Besides creating a platform for the beneficiaries and their families to communicate their thoughts, feelings and wishes through tangible ways, the positive memories created can bring about empowerment, comfort and support through various ways2. It reassures the beneficiary that they will not be forgotten despite their absence and helps the bereaved individual maintain a tangible connection with loved ones lost to childhood cancer. 1 2 Foster et al, 2012; Allen, Hilgeman, Ege, Shuster & Burgio, 2008 Foster, Dietrich, Friedman, Gordon, & Gilmer, 2012; Corr, Torkildson & Horgan, 2010 Five-year-old Aiman was diagnosed with brain stem tumour in 2015. As a fan of Korean sensation, PSY, the song ‘Gangnam Style’ reduced his anxiety associated with hospital experiences. Aiman’s legacy was a music video of him dancing to ‘Gangnam Style’ along with family members, his physiotherapist, nurse and social worker at the hospital. Despite being in a wheelchair, Aiman grooved to his favourite tune as best as he could. Aiman’s story is a testament that positive hospital experiences are possible for children with cancer. His video celebrates his life and is a treasured gift for his family and other children and families affected by cancer. Play is for Parents Too! In the first of this four-part series on the topic of ‘Play’, CCF’s certified Play Therapist, Joanne, shares why caregivers are encouraged to play with their child and how play therapy can be conducted at home! Play is an important part of a child’s life and is the language that children use to understand and communicate with the world. As such, setting aside time to play with your child is important to let them understand how much they are valued. A positive caregiver-child relationship also provides the framework and support for children to develop a healthy respect and regard for self and others. While play may be a very natural process for some caregivers, it can be an immensely stressful task for others who have forgotten how to play. For caregivers who face difficulties engaging your child, here are some useful and practical tips for you! A Show interest in your child’s hobbies, activities and achievements B Initiate special play time with your child for 20 minutes a day Provide opportunities for mutual interaction such as initiating conversations (but avoid interfering with your child’s methods of play and choice of toys) C D Make eye contact and use caring facial expressions If you still have difficulties engaging your child, ‘Filial Play’ may be just the way to get you started on the right track! Filial Play involves caregivers directly as the agents of therapeutic change. The play therapist becomes a coach for the caregiver in learning to use basic play skills at home in a time-limited manner. Caregivers then learn how to engage their child with non-directive play to create a safe environment that allows their child to express his/her emotions and needs as well as develop appropriate social boundaries and cues. As caregivers, there are many opportunities for you to shower your child with positive attention in your everyday interactions together. So why not start now? For enquiries or to schedule an appointment with our Play Therapist, please contact your caseworker. SOCIAL & RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES Milo Discovery Tour On 18 November 2015, staff volunteers from Building and Construction Authority (BCA), together with seven CCF beneficiaries and their families, embarked on a MILO® Discovery Tour at the Nestle Factory in Jurong to enhance their learning and discovery of science, sports and wellness through the making of MILO®. During the fun and educational tour, the children were introduced to the process of making MILO®. They also learnt about the importance of breakfast, energy and sports through engaging and interactive activities. Key highlights included getting up-close with the plants used in research and development of new products at the Herb Garden, the MILO® production process and the interactive sports game! At the end of the discovery tour, the children were enriched with new knowledge and brought home goodie bags containing packets of nutritious MILO® and souvenirs. For the BCA volunteers, it was a fulfilling day for them as they brought smiles and laughter to the children. Contributed by Doreen Ng, Senior Management Associate (Organisation Excellence Unit), Strategic Planning Office, Building and Construction Authority CBC Community Impact Fund Initiative As the saying goes, “Children are our greatest blessing” so it was an incredibly blessed day on 18 December 2015 for staff from CBC Singapore and the CBC Singapore Regional Office. The annual Community Impact Funds Initiative invited five CCF beneficiaries and their families to an exclusive outing at the SAFRA Toa Payoh Kidz Amaze Indoor Playground. The children had fun at the playground and were kept entertained with a magic show, candy and treats stations, a whimsical scavenger hunt together with CBC staff and photo opportunities with a ‘Minion’ mascot! To wrap up the event, General Manager of CBC Singapore, Mr KK Chee, presented CCF with a Community Impact Funds cheque donation of USD$10,000. The cheque was a testimony of our 2015 focus on philanthropic work in giving back to community. No one ever became poor from giving, for it is in giving that we receive. We send good wishes to the beneficiaries at CCF until the next Community Impact Funds event! Contributed by Fabian Poon, Sales Manager, Wilbur-Ellis Company, Connell Bros. Co. Pte Ltd DBS Charity Outing to Singapore Science Centre! On 27 November 2015, volunteers from the Regional Consumer Banking Operations of DBS Bank hosted a fun-filled, educational outing for five CCF beneficiaries and their families at Singapore Science Centre (SSC). The volunteers were first introduced to the children and their caregivers through a simple quiz. After which everyone was awed by a live demonstration of a fire tornado. The highlight of the afternoon was definitely the ‘Human Body Experience’ where the children ventured through exhibits built to resemble different systems of the human body. Their enjoyment was evident with laughter that resonated through the enclosed exhibits. As everyone parted ways, they brought back with them fond and enriching memories. The volunteers were heartened by the smiles on the children’s faces and enthusiastically related their experiences to colleagues when they were back at work. Contributed by Jason Ng, Assistant Vice President, Regional Consumer Banking Operations, DBS Bank Singapore Oodles of Fun at Kaboodle Kids! On 9 December 2015, nine CCF beneficiaries and their family were invited to an exclusive playdate at Kaboodle Kids. In that fun-filled afternoon, the children engaged in unstructured and child-directed free play where almost anything was possible! Working seamlessly as a team, they brainstormed for design ideas, engaged in problem-solving and communicated actively to bring the team’s design to life. Famished, the participants tucked into a delicious meal sponsored by Seafood International Market and Restaurant and Pondok Gurame at the Kaboodle Kids party room! Some of the kids went for multiple servings to charge up for a second round of play! When it was time to end the party, the kids were all reluctant to leave! Contributed by Jus Yeo, Play Associate, Kaboodle Kids 13 14 SOCIAL & RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES Lego Fun! MBS Para Games On 27 November 2015, we hosted seven CCF beneficiaries and their families at the LEGO office and LEGO Singhub. We had quizzes and prizes for the children who watched snippets from the LEGO documentary, and we played with LEGO bricks for individual memory games as well as team games. The children also built spaceships in their respective groups and enthusiastically shared the rationale behind their garden and circus spaceship designs. As they toured the LEGO office, they could not resist climbing up the yellow bleachers which made them feel like they were on top of the world! The event ended with a sumptuous dinner for everyone. Personally, it was a great experience for me! I loved the teamwork by our staff volunteers, especially our IT supporters who helped to set up and restore the wire configurations at the event venue before and after the event! I felt happy seeing the kids’ faces light up when they saw the many LEGO bricks and monuments in our office. It is truly humbling to know that despite their illness, the children possess great strength and tenacity. LEGO will continue to do this more often, definitely. Contributed by Li Lin Hu, LEGO Singapore Pte.Ltd Movie Screening and Luncheon Session! The Youth Executives Group from Singapore Shipping Association (SSA) has once again reached out to CCF and treated 16 CCF beneficiaries and their families to a movie screening and luncheon session at VivoCity on 30 November 2015. The day started with a private screening of ‘The Good Dinosaur’ at Golden Village followed by a luncheon session filled with games and activities at The Chop House. The children were entertained by a roving magician and a colouring contest. The top designs were awarded with many attractive prizes! The children also cruised along the 300-metre waterfront Promenade at Vivocity via the Mini Express Train. They had lots of fun and enjoyed themselves thoroughly! All the SSA volunteers enjoyed interacting with the beneficiaries and many expressed their interests to join again in 2016! Contributed by Jolyn Teo, Executive Officer, Corporate Communications, Singapore Shipping Association On 5, 7 and 9 December 2015, Marina Bay Sands’ Team Member volunteers, together with six CCF beneficiaries and their families, lent their voices to cheer on Singaporean para-athletes at the 8th ASEAN Para Games 2015 (APG). Held for the first time in Singapore, the APG was also the closing celebratory event to mark Singapore’s Golden Jubilee. Marina Bay Sands was the official Games Village while the Sports Hub hosted most of the competitions. The beneficiaries and volunteers truly enjoyed showing their support for the para-athletes and were really inspired by the para-atheletes’ dedication and strength. Besides cheering for para-athletes, they also had the opportunity to try first-hand some of the para-sports such as goalball and boccia at the APG Carnival. “It was a fulfilling experience to interact with the kids from CCF. I had fun making friends and explaining the games to them. They were very excited to meet people from outside their school environment and were fascinated with MBS!” – Jonathan Sim, Associate Director, MICE “It was my first time volunteering and I didn’t know what to expect. Initially, I thought that the young beneficiaries would be conservative and shy. However, I was pleasantly surprised at how friendly and open they were. Going to the Para Games together and sharing the excitement with the beneficiaries was certainly an eye-opener. The athletes are an inspiration to all of us. I hope to participate in more of such activities in future and would definitely ask my fellow team members to volunteer with me.” – Julie Micah Fernando, Hostess, ADRIFT by David Myers Contributed by Tasneem Djabarali, Communications Executive, Marina Bay Sands SOCIAL & RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES Voila Baking Session Ice Cream Making Workshop Voila, together with Fidgets @ Grandstand, organised a baking session for eight CCF beneficiaries and their families on 22 December 2015. It was an enjoyable session as we baked cupcakes together with the children and took lots of photos with them. The children also had a pleasant surprise when our Santa Claus and Santarina from Fidgets gave them presents. On 8 December 2015, employees of STMicroelectronics hosted an ice cream making workshop at Udders Novena for 20 CCF beneficiaries and their families. The hands-on session gave everyone an opportunity to make and taste their own ice cream. The kids in particular had a good time creating and devouring their own creations! Their caregivers also expressed their appreciation for this fun-filled day and our hearts were filled with joy knowing that we made a difference to their lives even though it was for just one day. It was a fulfilling afternoon spent, filled with much laughter and gratification. We believe that regardless of what we do for others, we would have fulfilled a meaningful part of our life’s purpose as long as it is done with sincerity. Voila is glad to be given the opportunity to spend a meaningful day with the children and we look forward to seeing them again. We would also like to thank Mini Toons for sponsoring the lovely gifts, Fidgets for the event venue, CCF for coordinating with the beneficiaries and volunteers and parents of these wonderful kids for joining us. Last and most importantly, a big ‘thank you’ to all the kids for being such an inspiration to all of us! Contributed by Ng Yee Ling, Executive Assistant, STMicroelectronics Contributed by Cheng Ni, Viola Design Pte Ltd Polliwogs! On 20 November 2015, 15 staff from Wurth Electronics Singapore Pte Ltd (WE) together with 11 CCF beneficiaries and their families, headed to the Polliwogs at Suntec City for a day of fun as part of WE’s corporate social responsibility event. Upon arrival, the children were excited to see what was in store for them! After a short introduction to the games, the children indulged in dancing to different music. They also had to do the Limbo Dance which required them to lower their bodies as much as possible to clear the barriers! The children had so much fun with the games, especially the ‘Musical Chairs’. WE also surprised two birthday girls with a birthday party and a customised WE cake! After the traditional birthday song and cake-cutting ceremony, food and drinks were served to the children which included their favourite ice cream! The party ended with distribution of goodie bags to the children and a cheque donation of $2,000 to CCF presented by Mr Sebastian Tan, Country Manager of WE. To commemorate the event, everyone gathered for a group photo before the children eagerly dashed back to the Polliwogs playground for unlimited fun and play time. Contributed by Jean Claudia Lum, HR and Admin Executive Christmas Baking Celebration On 23 December 2015, ENRICH committee members from Roche Singapore Technical Operations invited 11 CCF beneficiaries and their family members to an exclusive Christmas Baking Celebration at The Eureka Cooking Lab. Dressed in bright orange tees, the team of passionate and enthusiastic ENRICH individuals were excited to once again deliver a meaningful community outreach programme with the common belief that “We are the reason someone smiled today!” The event was an afternoon of fun and laughter as the children were highly thrilled to try their hands at baking their very own cupcakes and cookies. The highlight was adding the final touches of colorful icing decorations to their creations. Every child walked away a winner with their masterpieces and Christmas presents from our Santa sponsor, Mr Ho Choon Han. The afternoon was a meaningful day for the ENRICH team members when we saw the children’s priceless smiles at the event! Contributed by Betty Chang, for Roche Singapore Technical Operations Pte Ltd’s ENRICH Committee 15 16 COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS POSH Charity Walk 2015 Serving the community has always been a priority for us at PACC Offshore Services Holdings Ltd. (POSH) as we are strong advocates of responsible corporate citizenry. Our annual POSH Charity Walk is the landmark event in our Corporate Social Responsibility calendar and is one that we look forward to every year. On 15 November 2015, we held our POSH Charity Walk for the second consecutive year in support of CCF and raised a total of $30,000. CCF’s mission to support young cancer patients and their families is one that resonates with us at POSH and we are proud to do our part to help support this worthy cause. We look forward to more collaboration opportunities with CCF in the near future. Contributed by Captain Gerald Seow, Chief Executive Officer, PACC Offshore Services Holdings Ltd. (POSH) Snap a Smile Project We were inspired to embark on the ‘Snap a Smile’ project as we wanted to lend a helping hand to others and gain new experiences. Since many of us feel strongly for children suffering from cancer, we decided to raise funds for CCF. We set up a photobooth in school between 3 July and 31 August 2015 and snapped photos for our friends to garner donations! Working directly with CCF gave us a better understanding of the organisation and its work in helping the beneficiaries. We empathised with the young beneficiaries and this kept us motivated despite facing challenges during the planning, such as budget constraints. We also benefitted from this experience by picking up important skills such as marketing and learning to work well in a team. We are thankful for the opportunity to do our part in driving childhood cancer awareness. A total of $1,500.15 was raised for CCF. Contributed by Raymond Ong and Tham Jim Tat, Nan Chiau High School Class 3D 2015 Sport Ready Awards and Celebration Evening To commemorate a great year of netball and congratulate the players, Sport Ready Netball Academy held an awards night at the British Club on 4 December 2015. The academy also took this opportunity to raise funds for CCF as my family has personally experienced youth cancer so the cause resonated with our community. The generosity and support of the Sport Ready community was wonderful and many of our families donated prizes to the silent auction and the raffle. This helped to raise a total of $2,974.05 for CCF. Working with CCF was a pleasant experience and we are happy that the donations raised will contribute towards supporting children with cancer and their families in Singapore. Contributed by Joanne Khan, Academy Director, Sport Ready Pte Ltd COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS ‘8 Hearts’ Fundraiser The Interlace Christmas Holiday Event The Christmas event at the Interlace held on 18 December 2015 attracted more than 300 residents and their generous contributions in time, donations and participation. We decided on a ‘Giving Christmas’ theme to celebrate the season. Fashioned after street arcades, the event included food stations with seasonal specials in the form of turkey bites, beignets and pumpkin cakes. Fellow residents also donated to a wine station for parents to savour the wine selection. For the children, there were cookie decorating activities, popcorn stringing, ‘snowball’ throws and Santa’s ring toss! It was heartwarming when a few of the young participants donated all their takings from the sale of their home-baked cupcakes in the spirit of charity. The event raised $1,033.20 for CCF. Songwriting is my passion and it has always been my dream to release a personal album. When I finally fulfilled my aspiration and produced ‘8 Hearts’, I decided to donate the proceeds from my CD sales to a charity. As a mother of two, seeing children and their caregivers affected by childhood cancer at the hospital where I used to work made me want to do more for them. Hence, I chose to fundraise for CCF. I learnt a lot from this experience and am glad to have raised $3,000 from my album sales between August and December 2015. I would like to thank the capable and helpful staff at CCF for rendering their assistance as well as my dear family and friends for their support in making this fundraising project possible. Contributed by Tammy Low, Songwriting Enthusiast We are pleased to have partnered CCF to raise awareness of childhood cancer among our community. It was rewarding to see the residents’ involvement and interest towards something meaningful. Contributed by Penelope Chan, Facilities and Social / Recreation Sub Committee Council Member, MCST Plan No. 4120, The Interlace Condominium, 1st Management Council Project ‘HOPE’ Hope is keeping an optimistic attitude and believing that positive outcomes will take place in the circumstances that one may be surrounded in or in the world at large. At AGAPE, we firmly believe that everyone can be a catalyst of positive change in someone’s life and give ‘HOPE’ through our actions and words. In celebration of Agape’s 20th anniversary, the children, families and staff of AGAPE Little Uni’s centres at Jurong West, Choa Chu Kang, Seng Kang, Clementi, One-North, Kallang, Cecil, Central and Orange Grove came together to perform a total of 20 acts of kindness with the community as part of our charity carnival project titled ‘HOPE’ held on 15 August 2015 at Nanyang Technological University Alumni Club. Many interesting crafts and game stalls were set up at the carnival by the children and the teachers. A total of $10,922.60 was for CCF raised from the sales of fun fair coupons and merchandise at the event. AGAPE Little Uni.’s annual fundraising events have always been held in support of voluntary welfare organisations and we are glad to have made a difference to children with cancer and their families through this initiative. We are also thankful for the opportunity to inculcate important values such as love and kindness in our children. AGAPE salutes everyone who had participated in this initiative to give ‘HOPE’ to CCF beneficiaries and their families. Contributed by Mrs Mohan, Principal, Agape Childcare (JW) Pte Ltd 17 18 COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS Live to Give Walk the Wall Challenge In support of CCF, ICBC Standard Bank Singapore Branch took part in the ‘Walk the Wall Challenge’ that saw staff clock their footsteps between 2 and 27 November 2015 to attain the equivalent distance of the Great Wall of China. A total of 53,326,770 steps were collectively taken with colleagues in international offices at ICBC Standard Bank which equated to an incredible feat of walking the Great Wall of China eight times! Friends and families of the team members donated in support of their efforts. Together with other CSR initiatives, a total of $1,674.30 was raised for CCF by the ICBC Standard Bank Singapore Branch. They chose to collaborate with CCF as they help children with cancer and their families cope with the complexities of the illness and drive awareness of the childhood cancer cause. ICBC Standard Bank Singapore Branch will continue its fundraising partnership with CCF in 2016. Contributed by Lara Carter, Human Capital Business Partner, ICBC Standard Bank Plc, Singapore Branch Destinée Royale Happy Dove Christmas Promotion For the fifth consecutive year, Lee Hwa Jewellery launched its Christmas jewellery collection in support of children with cancer and their families. Between 13 November and 25 November 2015, the leading jewellery brand helped fundraise by pledging a part of its sales proceeds from the Destinée Royale Happy Dove collection to CCF. Inspired by the symbol of new hope, perfect peace and abundant joy, Lee Hwa Jewellery hopes that the ‘dove’ can act as a reminder and encouragement for the young beneficiaries to smile despite their circumstances and never give up as there will always be hope. A total of $4,300 was garnered from this campaign. Contributed by Lee Hwa Jewellery Pte Ltd Between 7 and 8 November 2015, Event Management & Roadshow (EMRS) students from Nanyang Polytechnic held a roadshow at the school selling snacks and merchandise to raise $1,797.95 in support of children with cancer. CCF was our choice beneficiary as the students felt that it was important to help children suffering from this life threatening illness. Organising the roadshow fundraiser was a particularly meaningful initiative as it taught the students event management skills and it helped to inculcate a sense of social responsibility in staff and students alike. It was gratifying to realise that the little effort we expensed would bring comfort to children with cancer and their families. We are glad to be part of the community that supports CCF beneficiaries and hope to continue contributing in our little ways. Contributed by Christine Yong, Assistant Manager (Retail Studies), School of Business Management, Nanyang Polytechnic SIM Global Education Student Wellness Week Charity Auction As part of SIM Global Education’s biannual Student Wellness Week held from 5 to 13 October 2015, students and staff had the privilege to support CCF beneficiaries and their families through a silent auction of more than 50 paintings and six framed jigsaw puzzles. This effort was in excellent alignment with one of our goals for the event – to broaden one’s perspective of wellness and encourage the values and practice of gratitude, compassion and altruism. The paintings were donated by students at our regular Art Jamming activity and the Jigsaw artwork comprised of up to 1000 puzzle pieces! It was wonderful to see the power of togetherness as donors came forward to either bid for the items or to simply make a donation in support of children with cancer. A total of $1,245.45 was raised from the event. We believe that each of us can contribute to the growth of a strong and resilient society. We would like to encourage all readers to join CCF in this community partnership and experience the joys of supporting one another! Contributed by Sophie Wong, Senior Executive, Student Care, Student Life Division, Singapore Institute of Management Global Education FEATURE STORY RE Y R O ST F Continuing the Legacy of Mr Lim Fok Sim TU A E In memory of their father who lost the battle to prostate cancer in 2015, the Lim siblings, Norman, Victor and Joyce, decided to donate part of his estate to CCF. It was one of the late Mr Lim Fok Sim’s last wishes to gift a donation to charity and they wanted to celebrate his life with kindness. The siblings share with TRIBUTE on their father’s life philosophy and the joys of giving. Thank you for the donation to CCF in memory of your father, Mr Lim Fok Sim. Do share with us some of the things you remember most fondly of him? Since we were young, our father had always taught us that kindness begets kindness. We came from a very humble family. My father worked as a carpenter and was the sole bread-winner. However, he had always taught us the importance of putting love and integrity ahead of wealth in whatever we do in life. He was a selfless person and often carried out carpentry works for our relatives and friends at no cost. It made us very fond of him. Naturally, we looked upon him as a role model and grew up to develop a heart for helping people. What made you choose to donate in support of the childhood cancer cause? Our father had prostate cancer for close to ten years and it saddened us to see him suffer in his last days. We emphathise with children and their families affected by childhood cancer as it is extremely painful to see a child suffering from the illness. We hope that our donation to CCF will help to contribute to the provision of quality medical care for the young beneficiaries and ease some of the financial burden for their families. Did you feel that you have benefitted from the act of giving? Yes, definitely. We were able to fulfill our father’s wish in donating to a charitable cause and be part of a big love-giving family like CCF. thering National Day ga at the Lim’s in 20 08 the sea view Fok Sim enjoying The late Mr Lim an iw Ta in on a holiday In your opinion, does one need to be wealthy to do philanthropic work? We believe that philanthropic work is not only about making monetary donations but also giving one’s time in volunteering work. We feel that any time is a good time to do good. As many of us are caught in the rat race of trying to earn ‘enough money’ before giving, it is easy to develop the notion that that there is never ‘enough’ and we may eventually fail to give. Like our father always said, “Put love first, philanthropic work will come naturally”. What are some of your hopes for children with cancer? Would you like to share some words of encouragement with them and their caregivers? Our hopes for children with cancer is that they will continue to stay strong and fight the illness with a brave heart. We hope that they will be happy, stay strong and never give up. To the caregivers, we want to encourage them to take heart and know that they are not alone in this journey as CCF and many people are supporting them. As a self-funded voluntary welfare organisation, CCF relies on donations to ensure the sustainability of our programmes and services. Enquire with us at [email protected] for opportunities on supporting children with cancer and their families! The Lim Family gathering for Chinese New Year in 2007 19 20 ANNOUNCEMENTS CALENDAR OF EVENTS (APRIL TO JUNE) Event Date Back-to-School Awards 2 April 2016 CCF Family Day 23 April 2016 End of Treatment Party 30 April 2016 Volunteers’ Networking Day 12 May 2016 Photovoice 28 May 2016 Children’s Camp 2 – 4 June 2016 Annual General Meeting 4 June 2016 Service Learning Trip 21 – 24 June 2016 * Dates are subject to change H a ir f o r H o p e is b ac k ! 2016 will be , Hair for Hope ar ye th 14 its Log on Into 16 @ VivoCity! 20 ly Ju 31 & ation held on 30 for more inform g .s rg o e. p o rh to www.hairfo e.org.sg fo@hairforhop or email us at in at please email us 57 For enquiries, g or call 6229 37 .s rg o e. p o rh o info@hairf CHILDREN’S CANCER FOUNDATION (CCF) is a non-profit organisation with a mission to improve the quality of life of children with cancer and their families through enhancing their emotional, social and medical well-being. Founded in 1992, CCF provides children with cancer and their families the much needed support in their battle against the life threatening illness. Over the years, CCF has helped more than 2700 children and their families at different stages of the illness. As a self-funded voluntary welfare organisation, CCF depends on the continuous goodwill from our corporate partners, sponsors and the public at large to fund the free critical programmes and services for our young beneficiaries and their families. OUR PROGRAMMES AND SERVICES • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • Casework and Counselling Service Hospital Play Service Therapeutic Play Caregivers Support Service Survivors Support Service Back-to-School Service Place for Academic Learning and Support (PALS) Psychosocial and Recreational Activity Palliative and Bereavement Service Art Therapy Play Therapy Expressive Art Therapy Family Therapy Child Life Service Siblings Support Service Service for Children Impacted by Cancer HOW YOU CAN HELP There are many ways which you can lend your support to children with cancer and their families: • Organise activities to raise funds among your network • Invite CCF to give talks to your colleagues, schoolmates, family and friends • Recommend CCF as a beneficiary for corporate sponsorships and donations • Participate in CCF’s Donation Box Programme to raise funds through placement of donation boxes in your organisation • Refer CCF for gifts in-kind • Support our annual signature fundraising event: Hair for Hope (www.hairforhope.org.sg) • Be a regular donor through GIRO or make a donation via CCF Website / AXS / SG Gives • Invite our beneficiaries for social and recreational activities • Volunteer with us at a regular (minimum commitment of 6 months) or ad-hoc basis • Be a resource person – share your area of expertise Fundraising / Sponsorship enquiries: [email protected] Volunteer opportunities: [email protected] Media enquiries: [email protected] Public Education talk: [email protected] CONTACT US CCF Community Office – VIVA-CCF Hub 8 Sinaran Drive Novena Specialist Centre #03-01 Singapore 307470 6229 3701 6229 3700 [email protected] www.ccf.org.sg www.facebook.com/sgccf www.facebook.com/hairforhopesg www.youtube.com/user/CCFsingapore @ccfsingapore MCI (P) 044/10/2015