Curtin Sarawak students raise over RM7,000 for children with cancer

Miri – 18 November, 2009 – The civic-minded and caring students of Curtin University of Technology, Sarawak Malaysia (Curtin Sarawak) recently concluded yet another successful campaign for charity.

In conjunction with its University Life Month, Curtin Sarawak’s University Life Department and School of Foundation and Continuing Studies jointly organised a charity event at the university campus called the Gold Ribbon Project (GRiP) on 16 October 2009 to raise funds for the Sarawak Children Cancer Society (SCCS), as well as raise public awareness of SCCS’ objectives and activities.

The day-long event involved mainly Information Technology and Moral Studies students of the School of Foundation and Continuing Studies. The event received strong support from the university community and the students’ efforts to raise funds through various activities such as selling food and handicrafts, providing car wash services, and conducting games and fun activities were rewarded with a tidy profit of over RM4,000.

Commending the students on their outstanding efforts, Dean of the School of Foundation and Continuing Studies, Beena Giridharan said, “It is heartening to see our students devote time and energy towards such a noble cause. Their commitment to serving the community and aiding charities is reflective of their sense of responsibility and compassion for others in need. Community outreach is very much part of the culture at Curtin Sarawak and this particular group of Foundation students have taken to it with a passion that is most commendable and I’m sure greatly appreciated by those who have benefitted from their efforts.”

A second event organised by Curtin Sarawak students in support of the SCCS, which was also highly successful, was the ‘Golden Child’ fundraising and awareness event held at Bintang Megamall on 31 October 2009.

Organised by the Curtin Volunteers! (CV!), Curtin Sarawak’s student volunteer group, the event saw the student volunteers selling food items, conducting lucky draws and children’s games, as well as staging an exhibition on the SCCS, all of which were very well received by members of the public. Over RM3,000 was raised from the event.

“We are very pleased that our students were able to raise a combined sum of over RM7,000 for the SCCS and help fulfil the SCCS’ mission of bringing hope to children with cancer. In addition to raising funds, both events helped highlight the SCCS and its admirable work in advancing research and public education on the prevention, control, diagnosis and treatment of childhood cancer,” said University Life Manager Haslina Abdul Malek, who supervises the CV!.

Curtin Volunteers pose for group photo for State Assemblyman Andy Chia

(standing back row, with tie) at the launch of the Golden Child event at Bintang Megamall.