Taking place at Tribeca Central Park Mall, West Jakarta, the charity event was also part of the foundation's 10^th anniversary celebration.

Held for the third time, Berani Gundul sees adults shave their heads to express empathy to children with cancer.

“We all know that in treating cancer, [children] need to go bald or shave [their heads] due to chemotherapy,” said YKAKI founder Ira Soelistyo, adding that the event saw several local celebrities shave their heads on stage.

YKAKI founder Ira Soelistyo (left), singer Budi Doremi (center-left), YouTube celebrity Rio Ardhillah (center-right) and Edho Zell (right) lead a discussion during the event. (JP/Ni Nyoman Wira)

The foundation currently provides Rumah Kita (Our House) shelter homes for children with cancer and their families, in several cities across the nation, including in Jakarta, Makassar, Manado and Pekanbaru.

However, Ira feels there are still many provinces in Indonesia that lack facilities to assist children with cancer.

“We hope the government will improve medication for children with cancer in hospitals throughout Indonesia so that [children and their families] will not have to go to big cities,” she said.

Another challenge faced by YKAKI relates to the Healthcare and Social Security Agency (BPJS Kesehatan).

“[Cancer] treatments are served by BPJS and the government has been very generous with that facility,” Ira told The Jakarta Post.

“However, children with cancer should get special dispensation. For instance, if they suffer from certain types of cancer and then it spreads causing another type of cancer, they need to get immediate treatment, such as an MRI or CT-scan. BPJS serves everyone, but the children are required to wait, even though they have to receive the results quickly in order to determine which chemotherapy treatment they should start on,” Ira explained, adding that in the meantime, YKAKI funded such treatments through fundraising.

Children from YKAKI participate in a coloring-in competition.(JP/Ni Nyoman Wira)

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During Berani Gundul, YouTube celebrities Edho Zell and Rio Ardhillah and singers Yuka Tamada and Budi Doremi all shaved their heads.

After his head was shaved, Edho said, “We will keep supporting [children with cancer]. Don’t worry about chemotherapy. If you have to be bald later, just look at us – we’re going bald for you too, so you need to be brave to stay alive and fight the cancer.”

The public can also participate in the cause by donating Rp 50,000 prior to shaving their heads.

Amal, a participant from Tangerang, also received a certificate and photos. He said he was not worried about going bald because his hair would grow back eventually. “Don’t be shy to get involved in social activities. Our purpose is to help people. It’s virtuous,” he said.

Aside from shaving heads, Berani Gundul also hosted a coloring-in competition for children, a photo session together with YKAKI’s mascots Kaka and Kiki, a talk show and performances by celebrities such as YKAKI’s ambassadors Indra Bekti, Farhan and Sandhy Sondoro.

The foundation also revealed plans to establish a shelter home in Malang, East Java, and educational training programs for general practitioners from community health centers in East Jakarta and North Jakarta. (kes)

The public can also participate in the cause by donating Rp 50,000 prior to shaving their heads.(JP/Ni Nyoman Wira)