Prof Dr Morni Hj Kambrie, Chairman and Founder of SIDMA College, collaborated with Fire and Rescue Department of Malaysia, Penampang station, Queen Elizabeth II Hospital, Kota Kinabalu, Malaysian Red Crescent and ITCC together initiated a collaborative Corporate Social Responsibilities (CSR) event “Solidarity with the family of the Late Lawrence Jeffrine Idang” on 29 August 2020 at International Technology & Commercial Centre, Penampang; (ITCC Penampang). The event was held from 10.00 am to 4.00 pm in the evening.
The main aim of the function was to enable the local community of Penampang as well as the surrounding districts to come forward and donate blood or in kinds to the family of the Late Lawrence Jeffrine Idang. The late Lawrence who was a Fire Fighter, attached to the Penampang Fire and Rescue Department, passed away on 16 May 2020 while in the line of duty. Through his marriage with Ruslinah Asoi, the family has six children, of which three of the daughters (namely Priscilla Agrace (20), Debbie Ashanty (16) and Christyn Rachel (15) are suffering from thalassemia and are in need of blood transfusion twice a month.
During the event, Queen Elizabeth II Blood Transfusion Team was assisted by SIDMA College staff, the Penampang Fire and Rescue personnel, the Malaysian Red Crescent and the “Persatuan Penggerak Penampang Sabah”. Together they managed the crowd/visitors movement, taking & recording their body temperature, leading visitors/donors to their seat, arranging their turn to donate blood and more. Mr. Allan (Persatuan Penggerak Penampang) also brought along volunteers to donate blood.
The plight of the family was highlighted by Widow Ruslinah Asoi, as she was really worried about getting continuous blood supply for her three thalassemia stricken children. Other than that, Widow Ruslinah was also facing monetary difficulties as she has no fixed income, and currently she is still sorting out with the authorities, in the hope that her late husband’s pension will be approved in the very near future.
Earlier, Prof Dr Morni and staff of SIDMA College Sabah, particularly Puan Soinim Musa, Puan Daria Joseph and Mr. Terence B Stephens; just to mention a few names of the staff involved, along with the Penampang Fire and Rescue Department staff visited the problem stricken family to discuss on ways that SIDMA College and Fire and Rescue Department could assist the family members of the Late Lawrence J. Idang.
Prof Dr Morni took the opportunity to thank all donors on their donation for a very noble course. He also handed goodies bag to all the donors. He also thanked all SIDMA College staff, Penampang Fire and Rescue Department staff, Queen Elizabeth II Blood Transfusion Team, Malaysian Red Crescent, Persatuan Penggerak Penampang, and not forgetting the general public who have come forward to donate blood or in kinds. Dr Morni also thanked the Management of ITCC Penampang for the free usage of ITCC to carry out the function.
Prof Dr Morni also encouraged the general public, especially those who could not present themselves to the solidarity event to continue to donate blood for the family’s thalassemia stricken children as well as to assist others who need blood to save their live. Those who wish to donate blood for the siblings of the Late Lawrence J Idang are welcomed to do so at Queen Elizabeth Hospital I or II (for Priscilla Agrace), and at Likas Women and Children Hospital for the other two children. For those who would like to gather more information to assist the family, Widow Ruslinah can be reached at 016-587 1936. You can also contact Prof Dr Morni Kambrie at 013-810 6201 for further details.
By Gloria Bubudan, Teo Eng Seng and Zain Azrai,
SIDMA College Sabah,
KOTA KINABALU
