The Hong Kong Cancer Fund is on a mission to Party for a Purpose

The Hong Kong Cancer Fund has offered a wide range of free support services to cancer patients and survivors for almost four decades. Ahead of its annual Party for a Purpose, founder and CEO Sally Lo talks to Haley Sengsavanh about the personal reasons she had for starting the organisation and the enduring importance of raising public awareness 

Since Sally Lo founded the Hong Kong Cancer Fund (HKCF) in 1987, it has become the city’s largest cancer support organisation. From practical and palliative care to therapists and support groups, all of its services are available to the public for free. Funding comes entirely from public generosity and fundraisers, with its biggest one being the annual Party for a Purpose gala dinner. Since 2016, #legend has supported this event as the exclusive media partner. 

Each year, Party for a Purpose follows a theme and corresponding dress code. This year’s event, “L’Amour, A Night of Deep Infatuation”, will fittingly be held on Valentine’s Day. “Love and giving are at the heart of the Cancer Fund and sharing this with our guests on this special day will be truly wonderful,” Lo says. 

The primary focus of this year’s fundraiser is supporting the upcoming relocation of the Cancer Support Centre in Central. Although it has operated there since 2006, Lo says the Urban Renewal Authority is rotating the non-governmental organisations in the building and the HKCF must vacate. 

Although the event is usually held in collaboration with a hotel, for the first time ever it is being hosted at Zaha Hadid Architects–designed commercial development The Henderson. “This year’s event will be more intimate,” Lo says. “However, we’ll still give our guests an evening they will remember, with world-class entertainment and superb food.” In the past, the fundraiser has attracted many celebrities, such as Gareth.T, Gin Lee and Philip Keung. 

Lo’s reason for starting the HKCF hits close to home. In 1986, her close friend Nicky was diagnosed with stomach cancer at 32 years old. Given only six months to live, she tragically passed away soon after. Lo says that at the time cancer was a “taboo” topic, referred to in public conversations as “The Big C” with most believing all diagnoses were terminal. “Back then there was no easy access to “Our mission has always been to ensure that no information and support,” she explains. “This was before the advent of the Internet. People didn’t have computers on their desks at that time like we have today where information is at our fingertips.” 

From the beginning, the HKCF has tried to combat these false assumptions through educational resources and public awareness campaigns. “Every year, more people are being diagnosed with cancer. However, survivorship is on the increase. Informing the public about the early symptoms of cancer and advising them to discuss it with their doctor immediately will help save lives,” Lo says. 

Educational resources available on the HKCF website include more than 40 videos and bilingual cancer booklets, which the organisation began publishing in 1993. After developing its first awareness campaign in 2000, the HKCF now produces four each year, focussing on colorectal, skin, prostate and breast cancers. 

The HKCF also supports local and international cancer research, Lo says, including “a screening programme to identify colorectal cancer in high-risk individuals; a global seven-year project to help detect, prevent and treat lung cancer; a study on fertility preservation for female cancer patients who are of a childbearing-age, and so many more”. 

But Lo also emphasises that “overcoming cancer takes more than medicine alone”. The HKCF also offers support through wellness and holistic health programmes, including yoga, Pilates, qigong, art therapy and mindfulness workshops. “Cancer patients and survivors who exercise can potentially benefit from reduced levels of fatigue, an improved quality of life, physical function and maintaining a healthy weight,” Lo notes. “This can help them to tolerate treatment, endure the side effects, reduce anxiety and increase mental fortitude.” 

For cancer patients, survivors and individuals navigating the diagnosis of a loved one, Lo urges them to visit one of the four HKCF centres in Kwai Chung, Wong Tai Sin, North Point or Central for support. “I’ve always felt that the cancer journey is like being on a fast-moving train. People feel that they’re going from diagnosis to treatment without having time to think and breathe,” she says. “Our mission has always been to ensure that no one faces cancer alone.” 

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