upin and lpin'cheer '*,ff,,'upin and lpin'cheer up chitdren at oncotogyward '*,ff,,by shaza barbar...

'Upin and lpin'cheer up chitdren at oncotogyward '*,ff,,By SHAZA BARBARrfi e tro@thesta r.c o rn. my

A VISI from popular cartoon charac-ters Upin and Ipin brought cheers andsmiles to the children at Hospital KualaLumpur's paediatric oncology ward.

The visit was organised by LifeInsurance Association Malaysia's (Liam)community service programme lnsuransHayat Cares in the lead up to ChineseNew Year.

Liam's 16-member companies hadput together goodie bags filled withtoys, stationery and books for about 40children currently at the ward.

Consultant paediatrician Dr Eni JuraidiAbdul Rahman said the goodie bags andvisit by Upin and Ipin "made a differ-ence" to the children who were receiv-ing care in the paediatric oncology ward.

The hospital treats children fromnewborns to 1 s-year-olds, and seesclose to 1 50 children a year.

Guided by EniJuraidi, Liam presidentVincent Kwo and AmMetlife chief exec-utive officer Ramzi Toubassy, the goodiebags were distributed to thffiHldren

and their caregivers as Upin and Ipinposed for photos with the children.

Mother of two Serena Roseaini Taylorwas at the hospital with her one-year-old son Umar Ahmad Shukry.

"lt's pretty exciting. Umar cannotappreciate it yet, but my daughter willbe so glad. I can see this brings a lot ofhappiness to the children here," shesaid.

Mother Ina Ahjalina, whose six-year-old NurAzwanie Azwren wasbeing treated in the hospital, reiteratedTaylor's sentiments.

"My child was in pain and now feelsbetter," she said.

Cancer awareness and research hasbeen prominent in Insurans Hayat Caresprojects of late.

"lt really touches our hearts to seethe children smiling and laughing as wepresent them the gifts as some of themmay be celebrating Chinese New Year inthe hospital," said Kwo.

"We believe the spirit of sharing, car-ing and giving should be an integral partof the life insurance business and weshould spread the message of love allyear round." ,;,.i:,.i,

,$t-hli-{)

{B\

Cheering them up: Kwo and consultant paediatrician Dr EniJuraidiAbdut Rahman with two youngpatients;t Hospitat Kuata Lumpur who were excited to meet 'Upin and lpin'.