Lorna raises RM1 mln in ‘Go Bald’ campaign

http://www.theborneopost.com/2011/06/26/lorna-raises-rm1-mln-in-%E2%80%98go-bald%E2%80%99-campaign/

Posted on June 26, 2011, Sunday

KUCHING: Datuk Lorna Enan Muloon, the wife of former deputy chief minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Dr George Chan yesterday finally managed to raise RM1 million for Sarawak Children Cancer Society’s (SCCS) ‘Go Bald’ campaign.


HELLO THERE: Lorna having a light moment with a patient at the child cancer unit of the Sarawak General Hospital yesterday. Earlier, Lorna had her head shaven. — Photo courtesy of Datuk Lorna Enan Muloon

Lorna raised around RM100,000 from her initial initiative, before eight donors comprising individuals and private companies donated RM50,000 each to the cause.

The donors included Datuk Shah Rukh Khan a popular Bollywood actor, Teo Aik King, TPR foundation, Tan Sri Ling Ching Ho, Datuk Wira Faisal of Naza Group of Companies, GLC Foundation, Andy Ang from Island Circle Development and Yong Foh Choi.

The biggest donor is Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak, who on Saturday night approved a federal government allocation of RM500,000.

Lorna had written a letter to Najib relating her desire to come to the aid of SCCS. The prime minister responded by agreeing a matching grant to the total amount raised.

SCCS president Gary Ho who related this during a press conference here yesterday said the dream to collect RM1.5 million from the Go Bald campaign finally materialised with Lorna’s effort.

“The recent Go Bald campaign in Miri collected RM143,000 while the one in Kuching collected RM480,000. It is still way from our target.

“With RM500,000 raised by Lorna and another RM500,000 from Najib, the total amount will definitely bring much cheer to SCCS. Lorna’s effort has made SCCS dream come true,” said Ho.

Ho said that Lorna, who initially targeted RM100,000 for the ‘Go Bald’ campaign, changed her target to RM250,000 before settling at RM1 million.

Lorna went bald at the Sarawak General Hospital Children’s Cancer Ward yesterday. She was accompanied by Dr Chan in a private session shortly after spending their time with children at the ward.

Both Lorna and Dr Chan, however, were not present at the press conference.

The amount collected will be used to fund SCCS’ RM2.4 million new building at Taman Desa Wira which is expected to be completed in May next year.

Lorna: I’ve touched base with humility

http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2011/6/26/sarawak/8977605&sec=sarawak

By YU JI yuji@thestar.com.my
Sunday June 26, 2011

KUCHING: Going bald for charity has been a “life-changing” experience for Datuk Lorna Enan Muloon, who has had long hair since she was two years old.

Speaking to The Star after shaving her head, the social worker was in good spirits, starting off talking about how she looked like a Shaolin monk.

“All I need is a yellow robe. But on a serious note, even after this, I can’t say I can ever fully understand what kids with cancer have to go through. But I feel so touched.


Source of courage: Lorna meeting a child in the Sarawak General Hospital before she shaved her head.

“They’ve given me courage. This experience has made me better. I’ve touched base with humility.”

Lorna said she did it because she believed understanding the plight of others was best learnt through personal experience.

“I really wanted to be with these children. I say it again and again that I cannot fully understand their emotional turbulence. I know, at the end of the day, I’m only shaving my head. I know that is a very different experience.”

Asked if she felt Malaysians were caring enough, she said she believed so.
“A lot of people do charity. I think it’s great. We must always remember to support one another.”

And how does being bald feel like?

“Good question! Well, so far people say I look younger. I’ve never had a bald head since I was a baby. But I don’t mind.”

For Naza Group chairman, Datuk Wira SM Faisal, who sponsored Lorna RM50,000, the work of cancer non-governmental organisations, like the Sarawak Children’s Cancer Society (SCCS), was especially meaningful.

His father, the founder of the company, died of lung cancer in May 2008.

“Any charity is good, but for today, I’m donating to SCCS because I truly believe in good cancer care for society’s most vulnerable,” Faisal told The Star.

“My own dad passed away at just 53 years old so I sort of understand how much cancer takes out of patients and their families.”

Children have amazing fighting spirit, Faisal said. All they need was care and love, and children would face cancer as well as any adult, he said.

“I’m really hoping to see the society’s centre when it is done. I want to see the playgrounds. My other wish is that maintenance is constantly carried out.”

Faisal was one of seven donors, who each pledged RM50,000 to Lorna’s donation drive.

Three weeks ago, Lorna announced her intention to join the wildly popular Go Bald event.

“Lorna and I are old family friends. Once we heard about her intention, there was no question we would chip in,” Faisal said.

Lorna’s other big donors include the Bollywood superstar Datuk Shah Rukh Khan, Teo Ah Khing Foundation, Tan Sri Ling Chiong Ho (Shin Yang Group executive chairman), GLC Foundation and Island Circle Development Sdn Bhd.

At a total of RM500,000, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak pledged a ringgit-to-ringgit matching grant, doubling the amount.