KUCHING: It is unimaginable for a father to watch their child go through the pain of cancer, but two fathers have made the bold decision to shave their heads in support of their children’s fight against the disease.
Sarawak Children’s Cancer Society (SCCS) launched its signature annual awareness and fundraising campaign, GoBald 2023, at Vivacity Megamall on Sunday (March 26) to raise funds in support of children battling childhood cancer and their families in Sarawak.
In an interview with New Sarawak Tribune, the two fathers, Mohammad Alfaizul Japar, 39, and Gilis Jekian, 43, shared their motivations for participating in the campaign.
Mohammad Alfaizul went under the razor to support his son, Farrel Putra Alfaiz, 15, who was diagnosed with a brain tumor in March 2022. According to Farrel’s mother, Nurul Hasheila Hashim, he is currently undergoing chemotherapy and has two more cycles to complete before he can come home. The doctors have advised that he reach at least 30 kilogrammes before proceeding with further chemotherapy.
As a maintenance worker for condominiums, Mohammad Alfaizul chose to participate in the GoBald campaign to support the SCCS program and to show his son that he is not alone in his fight against cancer. “I feel proud to be able to do this. I have four children, and Farrel is the oldest among them,” he said.
Army retiree Gilis Jekian also went under the razor in support of his daughter, Dorothy Laura, 11, who survived Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia (ALL). “I am proud to be able to go bald and give motivation to my daughter that she can continue living and go further in life,” he said.
Dorothy’s mother, Willin Main, said that the family sees participating in the campaign as a way to offer support to others facing similar situations, as they believe that cancer can be overcome.
As a whole life member of the SCCS, Willin pledged to continue supporting any programs that the SCCS organises.
