THE first home for cancer sufferers to rest while undergoing treatment in the northern region has become a reality.
The Penang Island City Council (MBPP) recently teamed up with the National Cancer Society of Malaysia (NCSM) to establish such a care centre along Lebuhraya Rose in Penang.
Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow launched the "MBPP Home of Hope" yesterday with a message that if all parties come together, many needs of the community can be fulfilled.
The home came about with the supervision of the Penang Real Estate & Housing Developers Association (REHDA) chapter chairman Datuk Dr Toh Chin Leong, who formerly headed the public listed IJM Corp Bhd, and the Malaysian Architect Association (PAM) member Arkitek O.A.
Many other developers and donors also helped make the home a reality.
MBPP provided technical assistance from the Development Planning division led by local town planner Mohd Bashir Sulaiman.
MBPP raised RM547,100 through a charity drive, while philanthropist Traccie Chan contributed an additional RM250,000, bringing the total to RM797,100, to kick start a fund to manage the home.
NSCM had floated the idea in 2023 and after some consultation with the developers, they managed to reach out to REHDA, who made it a priority under their corporate social responsibility.
Toh personally supervised the renovation of the home, which is owned by MBSP, which allowed a token rental of the once depilated property behind the Adventist Hospital here.
As cancer is among the most dreaded diseases, a patient needs all the support he or she can find in the battle ahead, said Chow.
Chow’s wife, Tan Lean Kee was made the patron of the home.
NCSM managing director Assoc Kol Prof Dr M. Murallitharan said that the home provides accommodation for B40 category cancer sufferers and their families when they namely seekt treatment at the Penang Hospital.
Eventually, Murallitharan hopes that NCSM can work with the Mount Miriam Cancer Hospital and other care facilities to help patients who deserve help, especially support.
The home will also provide counselling services and other social activities for the cancer community up north, namely in Perlis, Kedah and Penang.
There are two Hope Homes managed by NCSM, the biggest in Kuala Lumpur with over 100 beds and another in Ipoh (Perak), which has 50 beds while in Penang, for a start, there would be 14 rooms, which can accommodate 15 families. – February 24, 2025
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