Good Turnout at 'Sounds of Hope' exceeds charity target
Wednesday, 4 Nov 2009
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All proceeds from event will go into assistance schemes for cancer patients and their families. |
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$93,000 from proceeds and donations raised.
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Singapore, 4 Nov 2009 – The Methodist Girls’ School was helped by 2,000 people who attended the ‘Sound of Hope’ that was held in aid of cancer patients. About $93,000 was raised over the two days for the National Cancer Centre Singapore to fund programmes for needy patients and their families. This was above the set target of $70,000.
Entitled ‘Sounds of Hope’, the concert was held on 31 October and 1 November and a first attempt by the school to help NCCS bring hope to cancer patients. It comprised performances put together with the theme ‘Hope’, by the award-winning performing arts groups within MGS and illustrated the needy plight of cancer patients who can overcome their illnesses when others give them hope. This was conjured up in the drama ‘The Happy Prince’ and the song ‘Hope Is the Anchor’, both which were specially written Ms Karen Lim, MGS Alumni for the occasion.
A/Prof Koo Wen Hsin, Deputy Director and Prof London Lucien Ooi, Advisor of NCCS also shared their experiences with needy cancer patients and the concept of ‘Hope’ for them.
Visitors were also treated to ‘MGS Showtime’, a special matinee by MGS primary school students that featured the Co-Curricular Activities (CCAs) of the school. Priced at $20 and $15 per ticket for ‘Sounds of Hope’ and ‘MSG Showtime’ respectively, proceeds from the sale of tickets as well as from the sale of products and food items contributed to the NCCS fund for its various social assistance schemes.
A special edition bear selling at a price of $25 was also commissioned to commemorate the event. The MGS bear symbolised the wisdom of Winston Churchill and portrayed the famous quote: “We make a living by what we get, but make a life by what we give!”
The idea for the concert was mooted three months ago and despite the fact that the concert will take place in the midst of school examinations, teachers, staff and students still went ahead with the preparations.
Mrs Shirleen Ong, Principal of Methodist Girls’ School said putting up the concert was a good way for the students to learn about humility and to look beyond their selves. “The partnership with NCCS has provided MGS with the opportunity to reach out to others that we might all share a better tomorrow. In showcasing their talents and skills for the good of others, the students can look beyond their self and personal needs. It is about providing hope which makes all the difference for the families in need. This underscores MGS conviction that education is not just about academic achievements and excellence in the classroom.”
Prof Ooi, applauded MGS for their efforts and expressed his wish that other establishments, could too be like MGS lend a helping hand to NCCS to extend aid to the cancer stricken.
“Mrs Ong, the teachers and girls of the school have worked so hard to make ‘Sounds of Hope’ a possibility, an idea that came to fruition from a casual conversation we had. The presentation was certainly laudable and coming from a school, it required immense effort. We are gratified by the helping hand MGS has extended to NCCS to bring hope to cancer patients and their families.“
“Cancer is a common illness among Singaporeans and we often hear of friends or relatives who have succumbed to the disease. NCCS will continue to unravel the mysteries with the aim of finding a cure through cancer research, But we certainly hope that more organisations would take forward to support our cause and give assistance to patients in need,” added Prof Ooi.
About (NCCS)
The National Cancer Centre Singapore (NCCS) is the premier cancer research and treatment facility in Singapore and in the region. It was established in 1997 and sees about 68 per cent of the public sector medical oncology cases and about 65 per cent of radiation oncology cases. NCCS not only houses the most number of oncologists in Singapore but is also equipped with the largest number of equipment to provide the latest radiation oncology care in Singapore.
For more information, please contact :
Ms Veronica Lee
Senior Executive, Corporate Communications
National Cancer Centre Singapore
Tel:
6236 9429 / 9450 4017
Email:
Veronica.Lee.H.E.@nccs.com.sg
Ms Carol Ang
Executive, Corporate Communications
National Cancer Centre Singapore
Tel:
6236 9426 / 9845 5354
Email:
Carol.Ang.S.Y@nccs.com.sg
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