Monday August 4, 2008

Hotel raises funds for hospital's pediatric oncology ward

WHEN Anne Courtney, an Englishwoman read about the plight of an orphan who is cancer-stricken at Hospital Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (HUKM) Cheras, she felt the need to start the Sahabat HUKM.
Her efforts started by lending toys, books and games to the children at the HUKM pediatric oncology ward.

Now after 11 years, the support group has grown in numbers with volunteers helping to ease the pain faced by these children from poor families.

"There are a lot of children out there who suffer from cancer and most of them are unable to seek treatment due to their families' financial difficulties and poverty," said Concorde Hotel Shah Alam general manager Karl Muir.

		For a good cause: Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah presenting the mock cheque of RM22,000 to Dr Nor Azlin Kamal Nor from HUKM. "We hope we can help them with the medical expenses, treatment and give hope to these children with our Gold Ribbons campaign," he added. Muir was speaking at the cheque-presentation ceremony to the Sahabat HUKM Child Cancer Charity Fund recently. A total of RM22,000 was presented to a representative from HUKM towards the fund. The amount was raised from the hotel's Gold Ribbons for Childhood Cancer Awareness campaign held from June 23 to July 23. The cheque was presented by Selangor Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah. Also present was the hotel chairman Tan Sri Syed Yusoff Tun Syed Nasir. The money was collected from the amount spent by hotel guests and patrons at the newly-renovated outlets. The campaign was held in conjunction with the upgrading of Melting Pot Cafe and Crossroads which were opened to patrons on May 20. The new Melting Pot Cafe gives a refreshing ambience to patrons.
		Chit chat: Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah, talking to chefs at the Melting Pot Cafe. "Our newly-developed Juice Bar counter is one of the main selling point for this new design. "We serve fresh juice and believe this will be the key attraction for our guests. "Our open kitchen concept is another selling point at Melting Pot Cafe," said Muir. He added that guests could enjoy fresh and hot dishes cooked in front of their eyes. The Crossroads Lounge, which was previously known as Lobby Lounge, is another main attraction at the hotel. With a new design and ambience, the lounge offers privacy to patrons while enjoying their time with friends or family. A giant LCD projector is also installed for guests to watch football games. Patron can also enjoy live band playing every day from 9pm to midnight except on Sundays.