Charis Hospice Launched 'Happy Feet' Charity Fun Run to Aid Palliative Patients

The 'Happy Feet' Charity Fun Run promises an engaging and fulfilling experience for all participants with a 5 km route suitable for various fitness levels. It allows individuals to walk, jog, or run at their own pace while supporting the noble cause of palliative care.

The fun run is open for registration from February 26 2024, to April 12 2024, or when registration is full, whichever comes first. The charity fun run will be held on April 20, 2024, at Setia Spice, Penang at 7.30 am.

This event is organised by Charis Hospice in Penang and marks its first charity run of the year.

Each participant will be charged RM60, payable online on the Charis Hospice website, and will receive a T-shirt, finisher medal, and refreshments. In addition, there will be a best costume contest and quiz.

Participants can conveniently collect their event T-shirts at the Charis Hospice Office in Paya Terubong. The event organisers have themed the 'Happy Feet' run to evoke joy and engagement among the participants, creating a memorable fundraising opportunity for all involved.

"We organised this run as part of our efforts to raise awareness of palliative care, foster a spirit of compassion and service, and raise funds for our organisation to continue providing free palliative home care services to patients," said Dr Oo Loo Chan, the founder of Charis Hospice.

"The fundraising target of this run is RM200,000, contributing towards an annual budget of RM1 million in 2024.

"Palliative care is compassionate, whole-person care offered to those with life-threatening illnesses. It goes beyond physical support and includes emotional, psychosocial, and spiritual care.

“We must approach each patient with compassion, recognising their uniqueness. In palliative care, we prioritise quality of life over quantity, focusing on enhancing overall well-being," Dr Oo added.

Dr Oo explained that palliative care extends beyond medical treatment to encompass a holistic approach that includes counselling, coordination of care, assistance with managing patients' and families' quality of life, facilitating meaningful relationships, planning medical interventions, and providing bereavement support.

She said that it should incorporate social work services to connect patients with ongoing support resources. The essence of palliative care lies in its emphasis on dignity and compassion within healthcare services.

"Malaysia still lags in its delivery of palliative care,” Dr. Oo lamented.

Charis Hospice, established almost two decades ago with only one pioneering nurse and doctor supported by a few volunteers, now has 8 dedicated staff members, including two doctors and three nurses, and is still supported by a team of volunteers.

Founded in 2004, Charis Hospice is a charitable NGO providing free palliative home care services to patients facing advanced cancer and other life-threatening illnesses across Penang Island, regardless of race or religion.

Over the years, it has built its reputation as a quality service provider, albeit small. It actively promotes palliative care awareness, including end-of-life care among healthcare professionals and various sectors of society. It also serves as a training centre for medical students and doctors on attachment.

Through initiatives such as the 'Happy Feet' Charity Fun Run, Charis Hospice nurtures a culture of generosity and philanthropy, upholding its commitment to delivering exemplary palliative care to the community.

To register for the Happy Feet 5 km Charity Fun Run, visit https://charishospice.com/charity-run-2024/.

T-shirt sizes are only available for registrations before 22nd March 2024. Donations can be made via the Charis Hospice website or through the Sokong platform.

Tax-exempt receipts will be issued based on IRB Guidelines under Subsection 44(6) of the Income Tax Act 1967. For further inquiries, please get in touch with Charis Hospice via WhatsApp at 011-12466757 or email at [email protected].

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