54 Bachelor of Public Relations (Honours) students collaborated with the Malaysian Association of Paediatric Palliative Care (MAPPAC) for a month-long awareness and fundraising campaign titled, “Butterfly Kisses: Goodbye Without Regret”, including the three-days on-ground event from 7 to 9 May. It is a campaign on hospice care, aiming to raise public awareness of the importance of hospice care in Malaysia. The overwhelming support and generosity of the public towards the campaign led to the total funds collected amounting to RM9,314.16 to support MAPPAC Children’s Palliative Care services. This action encouraged everyone to continue spreading awareness about the importance of hospice care and to support efforts that provide comfort and care to terminally ill hospice care patients and their families.
The Organising Team of the Butterfly Kisses: Goodbye Without Regret campaign from TAR UMT handing over the mock cheque to the representatives of MAPPAC on 15 July 2024.
The campaign garnered the strong support of approximately 900 TARCians comprising students and staff as well as community partners, supporters and members of the public. Various awareness activities and fundraising initiatives were organised throughout the campaign. Participants particularly gained a lot of insights from the F.E.A.R (Feel, Experience, Acceptance, Relief) Exhibition, including from the interactive workshops and interesting sharing sessions that highlighted the importance of hospice care.
Among the interesting activities for the campaign was the ‘Cleaning and Makeup for Deceased Body' Workshops which were held over three days. The workshop allowed attendees to understand the challenges hospice care patients face and offered guidance to families on preparing for the future. It also served as a poignant lesson in respecting frontline caregivers, ensuring each departed individual was treated with dignity. The sessions also focused on the procedures’ based on different religion’s requirements, and especially handling practices during COVID-19.
Participants at the ‘Make-up and Cleaning Deceased Body Workshop’, learning how to prepare and manage the deceased with dignity.
Another interesting workshop held was the meditation workshop unfolded — a quiet journey within. The workshop's highlight was a deeply moving breathing meditation session, where controlled techniques were taught to help participants navigate the mental anguish of loss. Attendees learned to quiet their minds and find solace through focused breathing, aiming to ease emotional distress and nurture inner peace gradually.
The meditation sessions held throughout the 3-day campaign had a great impact on stress alleviation and emotional well-being for participants.
A number of informative and impactful talks led by experts and experienced individuals in the field of hospice care were also held. These sessions included poignant real-life accounts from caregivers, offering firsthand insights into the challenges and emotional complexities of caring for a child in hospice care. Discussions also covered practical topics such as life-planning preparations and insurance planning, providing attendees with essential knowledge for planning and ensuring peace of mind during difficult times.
Furthermore, participants engaged in talk sessions focused on the respectful handling of deceased bodies and learning culturally sensitive practices that promote dignity and honour in the final stages of life. These talks not only deepened awareness of hospice care but also equipped attendees with compassionate understanding and practical skills crucial for supporting individuals and families in the hospice care journey.
