Rotary Spouses' Pink Wellness Project

The Presidents-Elect from Rotary Clubs in Sabah, Sarawak, Brunei Darulsalam, Labuan FT, Singapore, Johor and Malacca were in Johor Baru recently to attend the annual Rotary District Assembly of Rotary International District 3310.

One for the album - Rotary spouses and some Rotarians
with BCSG JB members at the BCSG Centre

This event also included the Governor’s Banquet where Datuk Lee Chuen Wan from Rotary Club of Likas Bay, was installed as the In-coming District Governor commencing July 2017, for year 2017 – 2018.

While the Rotarians were training for their roles, their spouses had a separate Spouses Programme with their own time of training and doing their part for charity here. 

Besides learning more about Rotary International and their role and responsibilities as a Rotary Spouse, the ladies gained knowledge and insights from the experience of other Rotary spouses and discussed ideas for fund-raising, sharing goodwill with the less fortunate and contributing to the needy in their own communities. 

When In-coming District First Lady, Datuk Naomi Chong, received a letter from the Johor Baru Breast Cancer Support Group (BCSG) seeking the support of the Rotary Spouses, she was keen to find out more about their activities and how to help them.

Andy Chan [Standing Left] demonstrating how trimming and
styling hair will help the patient deal with gradual hair loss

During her first visit to the BCSG Centre in JB, Datuk Naomi was impressed with the excellent work they were doing for patients and survivors with the help of volunteers and supporters. 

When she had a better understanding of how BCSG is reaching out to help those in need, Datuk Naomi initiated the Pink Wellness Project with the Rotary Spouses to raise funds to donate to BCSG.

The Rotary Spouses’ event at the BCSG centre kicked off with a photo-taking session to capture a memento with BCSG members, Rotary spouses and some of their Rotarian husbands.  This was followed by a welcome address by BCSG President, Jessie Lim.

Andy Chan [Standing Left] demonstrating how the patient's
wellbeing can be enhanced with styling her wig [Right]

Datuk Naomi said she was following the lead of past District First Ladies who raised generous sums of money through the Rotary Spouses’ projects to help chosen charities.

In line with their theme, ‘Making a Difference’, she and the Rotary spouses aim to make a difference in the lives of BCSG members through the Pink Wellness Project.

“A generous sum was raised and will be formally presented to BCSG at the Governor’s Banquet for them to buy wigs and prosthesis that will go a long way to increase the comfort and confidence of patients affected by breast cancer,” said Datuk Naomi.

BCSG Immediate Past-President, Doris Boo, said BCSG used to loan wigs to patients who had lost their hair due to chemotherapy treatments and would only return the wigs after their own hair had regrown, maybe in 10 months’ time.

Rotary spouses watching how a prosthetic brassiere is
being prepared for a patient to wear with confidence

She said the generous support from the Rotary Spouses will enable BCSG to provide wigs Free-Of-Charge for patients to custom-design into their desired hairstyles.

To demonstrate this, BCSG invited L’Oreal Professional Artistic Ambassador and Creative Director of Andy Chan Hair Studio, Andy Chan, and his team to be part of the event.

Five BCSG member-volunteers participated in the demonstration where the hair stylists transformed their looks and increased their confidence with beautifully styled hairdos from their wigs.

In his professional opinion, Chan said that patients can deal with their hair loss better when they have their hair cut and styled at least three times during the chemotherapy period.

Ladies, as we know, are deeply attached to their hair and this made it more emotionally challenging for them to part with their hair.  And by having their hair trimmed and styled regularly, it should help them deal with their hair loss more gradually.

Datuk Naomi Chong [Seated 4th from Right] with Rotary
spouses, Andy Chan and his team, and BCSG members

In the next part of the event, Image Consultant, Tracy Ngooi, demonstrated the importance of wearing the most flattering colours and how it would enhance one’s wellbeing.

With the help of two BCSG volunteers who were wearing headscarves or tudung, Ngooi showed how the right choice of colour could dramatically enhance your appearance.

Then the Rotary spouses and visitors were invited for a tour of the BCSG Centre to see how the premises was being put to good use with rooms for physical therapy, Breast Self-Examination guidance, prosthetics and even handicrafts, with a recreational area upstairs.  At the close of the event, everyone was treated to a sumptuous buffet lunch.

The BCSG JB Centre located at No. 12, Jalan Ru, Melodies Garden, Johor Baru, is open from Monday to Friday from 9am to 1pm.  The Prosthetics and Brassiere Shop is open on Tuesday and Friday from 10am to 1pm.  For appointments, Tel: 607 – 335 7211 and Fax: 607 – 335 3211.  Email: bcsgjb04@hotmail.com