Fighting cancer can be a tough and tiring journey for both patients and their families. To provide one-stop support for those affected by cancer, The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust has made a donation to The Hong Kong Anti-Cancer Society (HKACS) to implement a three-year HKACS – Jockey Club “Walking Hand-in-Hand” Cancer Family Support Project. Today (17 March), Club Steward Stephen Ip Shu Kwan joined Secretary for Food and Health Dr Ko Wing-man and HKACS President Dr Leong Che-hung at the launch of the programme.
“The HKACS – Jockey Club “Walking Hand-in-Hand” Cancer Family Support Project provides sustained services to meet the needs of cancer patients and their families,” Mr Ip explained. “It helps cancer families live positive lives and enhances their quality of life through outreach programmes. Public education also helps arouse awareness of cancer prevention.
“The three-year pilot programme is expected to serve nearly 4,000 cancer patients and their families, in addition to reaching another 100,000-plus people through various training programmes, telephone counselling services and public education activities.”
Ms Wong, who has been attending gatherings held by HKACS and recently joined the HKACS – Jockey Club “Walking Hand-in-Hand” Cancer Family Support Project, was diagnosed with endometrial cancer in 2014. She explained that emotional support is crucial for patients, bringing them much needed relief. “I underwent chemotherapy and radiotherapy after the operation. At that time I felt helpless and did not know how to deal with the sickness. But I did not talk about it with my family as I did not want them to worry. As for people around me who were not suffering the same sickness, I was afraid that they would not understand and feel annoyed at me for keeping on talking about it. But through the gatherings organised by this project, I can share my feelings with other patients, social workers and volunteers who have survived cancer. I feel a tremendous sense of release when I attend these meetings.”
The HKACS – Jockey Club “Walking Hand-in-Hand” Cancer Family Support Project is funded by a Charities Trust donation of over HK$17 million. Users can visit the head office of HKACS on Hong Kong Island or the satellite clinic in Kwun Tong, which targets residents from both Kowloon and the New Territories, to obtain resources to help them along their cancer journey from diagnosis to treatment. Resources are also available for those who suffer relapse or need end-of-life support.
In addition, support is provided for children and young people whose parents or grandparents suffer from cancer, as well as carers. There are also special services to help cancer parents maintain their relationship with their partners. Meanwhile, a professional outreach team looks after the needs of 'hidden' patients, especially the elderly living in more isolated areas.
The project also benefits the community through care plans developed after home visits, as well as assessments and services to help alleviate physical and psychological problems. To build a strong support network for affected families, cancer survivors and caregivers are being recruited and trained to serve as volunteers to provide empathetic advice and peer support. The Social Work and Social Administration Department of the University of Hong Kong will evaluate the impact of the project.
The Hong Kong Jockey Club
Founded in 1884, The Hong Kong Jockey Club is a world-class horse racing operator and Hong Kong’s largest community benefactor, as well as one of Asia’s most prestigious membership clubs. Operating as a not-for-profit organisation, the Club allocates its surplus funds for charitable and community projects. In 2014/15, its donations reached a record HK$3.87 billion, and in the last decade alone it supported over 1,300 projects. The Club is also Hong Kong’s largest single taxpayer, contributing a record HK$20.05 billion in 2014/15. With about 70% of its revenue given back to society every year through donations and tax contributions, The Hong Kong Jockey Club delivers a significantly higher return to the community than any other racing and/or sports betting organisation in the world. As a socially responsible organisation, the Club helps Government combat illegal betting and advocates responsible gambling. The Club is also one of Hong Kong’s largest employers with over 24,000 full-time and part-time staff. Committed to global excellence and giving back to society, the Club is always “riding high together for a better future” with the people of Hong Kong.
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Photos can be downloaded from The Hong Kong Jockey Club website (http://corporate.hkjc.com/corporate/english/corporate-news/index.aspx).
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Photo 1:
Club Steward Stephen Ip Shu Kwan says the HKACS �V Jockey Club ��Walking Hand-in-Hand�� Cancer Family Support Project provides sustained services to meet the needs of cancer patients and their families.
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Photo 2:
Club Steward Stephen Ip Shu Kwan (right) joins Secretary for Food and Health Dr Ko Wing-man (centre) and President of The Hong Kong Anti-Cancer Society Dr Leong Che-hung (left) at the launch of the HKACS �V Jockey Club ��Walking Hand-in-Hand�� Cancer Family Support Project.
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Photo 3:
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Patients share with guests how they overcame cancer with the help of their families.
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Photo 4
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