Making children diagnosed with cancer happy is crucial in their battle against the disease.
In line with this belief, the Friends of Childhood Cancer Northern Malaysia (FOCCAN) will be organising a ‘Kids Day Out’ programme at Dewan CAT in Caring Society Complex (Kompleks Masyarakat Penyayang) on Sept 28, from 8am to noon.
Maznah Tayib, president of FOCCAN, shared that this is one of many fun activities the organisation arranges to lift the spirits of its members.
“Children naturally love to play and be happy. When they are happy, they are better able to fight cancer. We’ve observed that adults diagnosed with cancer tend to worry more, which often worsens their condition,” Maznah told Buletin Mutiara in a recent interview.
During the programme, a booth operated by ‘Squadron 15’ from the Royal Malaysian Air Force will give children the opportunity to meet pilots and experience the fun of pretending to be pilots themselves.
FOCCAN is organising the event in collaboration with the State Health Department and the office of Daniel Gooi Zi Sen, the state executive councillor for Youth, Sports, and Health. It is supported by Penang Hospital MENTARI (Community Mental Health Centre), the National Cancer Society Malaysia (NCSM), Maybank, and several other sponsors.
Maznah mentioned that FOCCAN holds about 20 to 30 activities annually, including Back-to-School programmes, excursion bus trips, zoo visits, and more. Besides corporate support, FOCCAN also receives assistance from Lions and Rotary clubs.
“We have around 800 active members from Perlis, Kedah, Penang, and Perak, with 70% of them coming from Kedah. Children diagnosed with cancer in the northern region are all referred to Penang Hospital.
“Some are as young as two or three months old, while others are teenagers up to 18 years old. There has been a rise in the number of children with cancer, with leukaemia being the most prevalent type.
“FOCCAN helps families with an initial aid of RM300 when children are hospitalised. We also assist with milk formula and disposable diapers during treatment and deliver them to the houses monthly after the children’s discharge. This helps alleviate the financial burden on families, as milk formula has become expensive,” Maznah explained.
Maznah, who personally understands the challenges parents face, shared that her own son was diagnosed with cancer at the age of six in 2015. Today, her son, the youngest of her three children, is 15 and has been cleared of cancer.
“At that time, there was no support group. Together with a few individuals I befriended at Penang Hospital, we decided to form a group to help the families of newly diagnosed children with cancer. That’s how FOCCAN was founded and was registered as an NGO with the Registrar of Societies on 5 September 2016.
“The battle against cancer is not easy, but when we receive moral support from those who have gone through it, we feel empowered.”
Since its establishment nine years ago, FOCCAN has helped 1,800 children with various cancers, including leukaemia, brain cancer, bone cancer, lymphoma, neuroblastoma, liver cancer, and kidney cancer.
Maznah, who also serves as a vice-president of Childhood Cancer Malaysia (CCM), also expressed her gratitude to Dr Yeoh Seoh Leng, a dedicated paediatric haematologist and oncologist, who heads the children’s oncology ward.
Maznah said FOCCAN requires RM120,000 annually to run its programmes. When FOCCAN learns of a child with cancer, they reach out to local assemblymen for financial assistance. In addition to the assemblymen, Maznah thanked the state government, Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow, and his wife, Tan Lean Kee, for their continued support of FOCCAN.
On Sept 1, Chow attended the launch of the ‘Shimmering in Gold’ programme at The Top, where the iconic Komtar tower was lit in gold to mark Childhood Cancer Awareness Month.
This event, which mirrors similar efforts at other landmarks worldwide, aimed to raise awareness about childhood cancer. Gold, a strong yet precious metal, was chosen to symbolise the strength and value of children facing adversity.
Maznah advised parents not to fall prey to scammers who might use their children’s photos to solicit donations. She also urged parents to seek medical advice from Penang Hospital rather than purchasing unknown supplements.
When asked about an unforgettable experience, Maznah recalled a young boy’s last wish to visit Legoland in Johor with his family, a wish she couldn’t fulfil due to a lack of funds. “It was his last wish. It still pains me,” Maznah shared.
As an NGO, FOCCAN needs continuous support from both the public and private sectors to keep the organisation running. Those who wish to learn more about FOCCAN can contact Maznah at 019-425 3840, its office at Kompleks Masyarakat Penyayang, or check their Facebook page, Friends of Childhood Cancer Northern-M.
Story by K.H. Ong
Pix by Adleena Rahayu Ahmad Radzi and courtesy of FOCCAN