‘Don’t give up’: Kuching festival-goers whisper messages of hope to children with cancer through giant teddy bear (VIDEO)

KUCHING, Aug 19 — A teddy bear named Joseph, equipped with a microphone, was placed at the Kuching Food Festival by the Sarawak Children's Cancer Society (SCCS) to invite visitors to whisper their hopes for children battling cancer. This simple act evolved into an emotional display of compassion as strangers from diverse backgrounds wished for the children's well-being.

Genevieve Tan, SCCS Fundraising and Awareness manager, was surprised by the warm response. She explained that bears symbolize childhood, making it easier for people to express their thoughts. Tan emphasized the importance of raising awareness about childhood cancer, which might not always have a clear cause. SCCS plans to use Joseph in social media posts and a Childhood Cancer Awareness Walk on September 5 to spread awareness about the disease.