By Thomas Paily, Year 13
For over a year and a half, students from KLASS Meds at the Alice Smith School worked towards a shared goal: creating a student-led initiative that would raise funds for cancer support services while encouraging more open conversations around cancer awareness. What began as the Cancel Cancer Carnival (CCC) later evolved into becoming part of the school’s annual Family Fun & Health Awareness Day; a vivid representation of the lasting impact the initiative has had on the Alice Smith community
Entirely organised by students in collaboration with the Alice Smith PTA, the event welcomed over 800 attendees, excluding volunteers and staff, and successfully raised over RM5,500 in support of the National Cancer Society Malaysia (NCSM). The funds raised contribute towards NCSM’s ongoing work in cancer education, patient support services, early screening initiatives, awareness programmes, counselling, and community outreach efforts across Malaysia. Beyond funding research and support systems, NCSM plays an integral role in improving accessibility to care and helping individuals and families navigate the challenges associated with cancer within Malaysia.
At the centre of the initiative was KLASS Meds, a student-led and student-supported EPA dedicated to encouraging interest in medicine, life sciences and community engagement. Through the Family Fun & Health Awareness Day, KLASS Meds hoped to demonstrate how individuals can take meaningful action on health issues that extend far beyond a biology class.
The carnival atmosphere was an important step in achieving this. Student-led stalls and activities created an engaging and appropriate environment for families, students and visitors of all ages. Activities ranged from classic carnival games such as balloon darts, can knockdowns, and ball challenges to more unique initiatives like “Debate Me on Anything,” which encouraged safe interaction and discussion. Students also independently organised food and drink stalls, including the popular matcha and lemonade stand, alongside a thrift store featuring donated second-hand items from the community. These initiatives highlighted the creativity, proactiveness and collaboration demonstrated by our students throughout the planning and execution of the event.
Alongside the entertainment and fundraising activities, the event also placed a strong emphasis on health awareness and accessibility. NCSM hosted an informational stall to educate attendees about cancer awareness and available support services, while Prince Court Medical Centre provided free check-ups during the event and opportunities for attendees to book additional medical screening sessions directly through the hospital. By combining healthcare access and community participation, the event succeeded in creating an environment where conversations surrounding general health and cancer awareness felt approachable rather than intimidating.
Most importantly, the initiative established a foundation for future student-led impact at Alice Smith. Through KLASS Meds, students were able to show that meaningful community engagement can begin at school level when young people are given the opportunity to lead, collaborate and take initiative. What started as a two student-driven fundraiser has now become part of a broader hopefully annual community event, continuing to inspire future projects centred around service and positive social impact.
The Alice Smith School Foundation was delighted to play a supportive role in the success of the recent KLASS Med students' initiative, an event that blended academic engagement with community fun during the PTA Fun Day. This fantastic collaboration was supported through a generous grant of RM1,500 provided by the Foundation. This funding was specifically allocated to cover the costs of essential materials and resources necessary for the KLASS Med students to design and deliver a variety of interactive, educational and engaging activities throughout the day.
The event, which saw the KLASS Med students showcasing their passion for health, medicine, and science, offered attendees a unique opportunity to participate in hands-on learning experiences. The Foundation's grant ensured that the students had the resources to create a truly memorable and impactful experience for the entire school community, fostering an environment where practical application of knowledge was encouraged.
This is a prime example of the Alice Smith Schools Foundation's commitment to enriching the educational experience, supporting student-led initiatives, and empowering young people to make a positive contribution to the school community. By providing financial support, the Foundation enables students to turn innovative ideas into reality.
To discover more about the diverse and impactful projects that the Alice Smith Schools Foundation supports, and to see how its grants are making a tangible difference across the school, please visit our impact stories here.
