Hospitality is a wonderful industry that sets out to make people happy in friendly surroundings with service provided by professional staff. There is a high ‘feel-good’ factor in giving and receiving the best hospitality possible.
It is also an industry that can and does give back to people especially those who are less fortunate than many of us. This sense of giving back is the essential driver behind the Chemo Kids Graduation Ball which recognises the courage and youthful determination of children who successfully underwent the ordeal of chemotherapy. Their determination has inspired a one-of-its kind charity ball to raise funds to support others in need of cancer treatment.
The grand event was staged on 10th December at the Royale Chulan Damansara Hotel and featured the theme of Disney’s Madagascar 3: Europe’s Most Wanted. Royale Chulan’s ballroom was lavishly decorated thanks to the assistance of hotel staff and a team of volunteers and sponsors who included Inside Scoop (ice-cream station), Cool Merchants Connection Sdn Bhd (inflatables), Montage Event Management (games booths and clown services), Love and Lace Studio (graduation gowns), VHP Studio (photography), DevilishIdeas (artwork design) and Zanne Gifts Hampers and Events (face painting and tattoos). A lavish lunch was co-sponsored by the team at Royale Chulan Damansara.
Jennifer Ong, Founder and CEO of HAPA and WAP INTL, the brainchild and organiser of the Chemo Graduation Charity Ball said, “The generous contributions from sponsors and donors enabled us to raise RM150,000 and sponsorships valued at RM60,000 to donate to the University of Malaya Medical Centre (UMMC) for the National Cancer Society of Malaysia.”
The ball was also a celebration of the children’s achievement, hope and inspiration for the other children undergoing the same ordeal.
The 25 chemo-graduates, aged from 3 to 17, all of whom completed their treatments at the UMMC, received Certificates of Completion in recognition of their incredible bravery, courage and sacrifice they made to fight cancer. They, and the 250 guests, 105 of whom were children from different orphanages and children’s homes were served high-tea. They were also entertained by various performers including an opening dance by students from S.J.Y. (C) Yuk Chai, a singing performance by two volunteers and a magic show.
There were lots of activities such as several carnival game booths in the foyer, inflatables, popcorn and cotton candy station, ice-cream station, face painting and tattoo station plus an ice skating session in the evening sponsored by the Royale Chulan Damansara Hotel.
Special thanks to the main sponsors Royale Chulan Damansara, AAVII Group of Companies and Borders, as well as others.
