KOTA KINABALU (Sept 17): The Malaysian Association of Paediatric Palliative Care (MAPPAC) has partnered with the Lions Club of Kota Kinabalu City to launch the BuddyBear Companion Project, a heartfelt initiative aimed at bringing emotional comfort, raising public awareness and supporting children living with chronic and life-limiting illnesses.
The collaboration was officially sealed through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed today, symbolising a shared commitment to advancing paediatric palliative care services in Sabah and beyond.
The Lions Club of Kota Kinabalu City has sponsored the first 100 BuddyBear kits, valued at RM9,000, and will also support the project's official launch and the BuddyBear Adoption Campaign.
Each BuddyBear kit is specially curated to include a soft plush bear, a creative wellness set, handwritten messages and comforting items designed to provide emotional support and promote well-being for children undergoing treatment for serious health conditions.
During the signing ceremony, President of the Malaysian Children's Hospice Kota Kinabalu under MAPPAC, Dr Ng Su Fang, said that the initiative reflects more than just a donation.
She said it sends a message of empathy and solidarity to young patients and their families.
"Every BuddyBear carries more than a smile. It carries a message of care and comfort to children who need it most," she said.
Dr Ng also emphasised that the project plays an important role in building public understanding of paediatric palliative care and the importance of delivering holistic support to children in medical distress.
"Through this project, we are also raising awareness that children with serious illnesses deserve dignity, compassion, and holistic care. This collaboration is an important step toward sustaining the work of Malaysia's children's hospice," she added.
Meanwhile, President of the Lions Club of Kota Kinabalu City, Debbie Chin, said she was immediately drawn to the project upon learning about it. She shared that the club's commitment to serving children aligned closely with the mission of the BuddyBear initiative.
"When I first heard about the BuddyBear project, I knew instantly that the Lions Club of Kota Kinabalu City had to be part of it. Our love for children drives us to act quickly when we see a chance to bring comfort and hope," she said.
She added that by sponsoring the first 100 kits, the club hopes to spark a larger movement within the community, encouraging more people to support the cause and help ease the burdens faced by children battling critical illnesses.
Also present at the MoU ceremony were District Chairperson for Childhood Service Rebecca Chong and MAPPAC representative Sylvia Lim, who both voiced their support for the initiative and its long-term goals.
The BuddyBear Companion Project is not only a symbol of care, but also a vehicle for education and sustainability. It seeks to connect the public with the realities of paediatric palliative care through the symbolic adoption of BuddyBears.
Each adoption will contribute directly to the operating costs of Malaysia's first dedicated Children's Hospice in Kota Kinabalu, helping to ensure that children and their families continue to receive compassionate and dignified care.
Donors who adopt a BuddyBear will also receive a small token of appreciation as a gesture of thanks and to mark their contribution to this meaningful cause.
MAPPAC welcomes further collaborations, whether through sponsorships, in-kind support or campaign partnerships, to extend the reach of the project and deliver comfort to more children across the region.
Those interested in supporting the BuddyBear Companion Project may contact MAPPAC via email at [email protected] or call 012-371 5535 for more information.