Kota Kinabalu: The Sabah Cancer Volunteers Association (PSKS) is having a Fund-Raising Dinner on Sept 21 at 7pm at Promenade Hotel, here.
Organising Chairman Lawrence Libur Imui, who is also the founder and former president of PSKS, said the dinner aims to raise funds for the maintenance of the lodging or half-way house for outstation cancer patients who come to Kota Kinabalu for treatment over extended periods.
The patients are treated at the Likas Women and Children’s Hospital (HWKKL). The half-way house is situated at Taman Kingfisher which is within walking distance to the hospital.
The double-storey house has seven rooms out of which one is reserved for the caretaker and the rest for cancer patients. The kitchen is available for use by them. Entrance to the house is handled by the Social Work Department of the hospital.
“Since our formation 10 years ago, we noticed that a major problem facing cancer patients from outstation is accommodation and living costs since HWKKL cannot accommodate everybody for an extended period,” he said.
“Thus, we started having this idea of starting a half-way house and it finally became a reality early last year. We had initial help from the State Government through the Chief Minister but that fund is now running out fast.
“We are a Member of the Sabah Council of Social Services but whatever limited allocation we get is only for funding our cancer awareness programmes which we conduct from time to time throughout the State.
“Thus, we appeal to the public to support us by buying our dinner tickets. We really need more funds as rental for the half-way house alone is $2,000 per month,” Lawrence said.
Tickets will be on sale until September 10 and are available from Lawrence at 011-31318429 or PSKS secretary Elsie at 0198726821.
