Professor Paul Tam Kwong-hang and
Professor Godfrey Chan Chi-fung each took a big gulp this spring and said goodbye to their hair to promote a good cause and achieve empathy with young cancer patients.
The two academics participated in a head-shaving event to raise money for children's cancer research, organized by the Children's Cancer Foundation (CCF) and the St. Baldrick's Foundation, an international group. Professor Tam's wife, Amy Chum, who is a council member of the CCF, was the driving force behind the shave-in and also went under the razor.
The two academics participated in a head-shaving event to raise money for children's cancer research, organized by the Children's Cancer Foundation (CCF) and the St. Baldrick's Foundation, an international group. Professor Tam's wife, Amy Chum, who is a council member of the CCF, was the driving force behind the shave-in and also went under the razor.
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| From left: Professor Godfrey Chan, Ms Amy Chum and Professor Paul Tam. |
Professor Tam, Pro-Vice-Chancellor of Research, paediatric surgeon and Chair Professor in the Department of Surgery, said the event had value for him both personally and as a teacher.
"As a doctor, you always feel for your patients and this is a meaningful way to relate to them and show solidarity with them. As a teacher, I would like to think our students are inspired by this act and will do something even more worthwhile to help society," he said.
The event was held before a packed audience and raised some $1.3 million in donations on the day. Staff, students, friends and members of the CCF and St. Baldrick's all came to watch, along with a large contingent of media.
Some in the audience took turns shaving the heads of the three volunteers, including paediatric patients. Professor Chan, from the Department of Paediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, was happy to let them have a go.
"I said to them, I give you chemotherapy and I inflict pain and hair loss on you, now it's your chance to do it back to me," he said, smiling.
"I'm a paediatric oncologist and this event is very much in my heart. Over the years I've seen a lot of children receive treatment and lose their hair. Some doctors and adults may not realize that this has a major psychological impact on them."
The St. Baldrick's event makes them sit up and notice. It was begun in 2000 in the US and has raised more than US$87 million around the world. This is the first time the head-shaving event was held at a Hong Kong tertiary institution.
The Dean of Medicine, Professor Lee Sumping, said he was deeply inspired by the actions of Professor Tam, Professor Chan and Ms Chum.
"This is a true expression of one's generosity and selflessness and love and concern for people who are less lucky than us. It involves not only these three who are being shaved, but those who have so generously given support.
"The important thing is to raise the awareness of the public and for those of us in healthcare to focus on our children and their well-being. I hope this meaningful action will serve as a reminder to us all about the kinder side of human nature."
"As a doctor, you always feel for your patients and this is a meaningful way to relate to them and show solidarity with them. As a teacher, I would like to think our students are inspired by this act and will do something even more worthwhile to help society," he said.
The event was held before a packed audience and raised some $1.3 million in donations on the day. Staff, students, friends and members of the CCF and St. Baldrick's all came to watch, along with a large contingent of media.
Some in the audience took turns shaving the heads of the three volunteers, including paediatric patients. Professor Chan, from the Department of Paediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, was happy to let them have a go.
"I said to them, I give you chemotherapy and I inflict pain and hair loss on you, now it's your chance to do it back to me," he said, smiling.
"I'm a paediatric oncologist and this event is very much in my heart. Over the years I've seen a lot of children receive treatment and lose their hair. Some doctors and adults may not realize that this has a major psychological impact on them."
The St. Baldrick's event makes them sit up and notice. It was begun in 2000 in the US and has raised more than US$87 million around the world. This is the first time the head-shaving event was held at a Hong Kong tertiary institution.
The Dean of Medicine, Professor Lee Sumping, said he was deeply inspired by the actions of Professor Tam, Professor Chan and Ms Chum.
"This is a true expression of one's generosity and selflessness and love and concern for people who are less lucky than us. It involves not only these three who are being shaved, but those who have so generously given support.
"The important thing is to raise the awareness of the public and for those of us in healthcare to focus on our children and their well-being. I hope this meaningful action will serve as a reminder to us all about the kinder side of human nature."