U
nderprivileged children have
a hard enough life, but it’s
doubly difficult for those who
are ill, especially with an
illness that affects the heart. Thankfully,
there’s a big-hearted charity that can
help, namely the Hong Kong Adventist
Hospital Foundation (HKAHF). HKAHF was
established in 1999 to provide medical
treatment for sick and underprivileged
patients in Hong Kong, China and Asia
through different outreach programmes,
via a group of medical professionals
acting as its core members. In 2010, the
charity expanded its work to Nepal.
HKAHF’s charity outreach
programmes were set up for
disadvantaged patients from around
the region whose quality of life could
be dramatically improved by medical
treatment, yet they lack the resources
to access proper help. Outreach
programmes help these individuals return
to health and contribute to society, whilst
helping restore joy to families plagued
by suffering, pain and uncertainty. The
programmes, which are complementary
to the public sector, include the Adventist
Pediatric Heart Fund, Children’s Medical
Fund and Children’s Orthopaedic Fund.
The Foundation also helps adults and the
elderly through its Cancer and Eye Funds.
Heart disease
The Adventist Pediatric Heart Fund
(APHF) was set up in 2010 to expand
the Children’s Heart Fund (established
back in 1991) by helping underprivileged
children with congenital heart disease.
Donations are used to access members’
professional knowledge, technology and
capabilities to offer corrective surgery
and treatment, enabling these kids to
grow up leading normal, healthy lives.
Congenital heart disease (caused
by abnormal foetal heart growth
during pregnancy) is Hong Kong’s most
common congenital disease. It affects
not only growth but also the respiratory
tract, making the child vulnerable to
infections, meaning that they require
special care and must exercise restraint
in their daily activities, which can greatly
hinder their childhood.
Thankfully, with advances in medical
science, it is now possible to cure around
90 per cent of congenital heart disease
cases. Mild cases can be treated with
medication, however for those with more
complicated and serious heart disease,
medication provides only temporary
relief, meaning any hope of leading a
normal life depends entirely on surgery.
Unfortunately, many sick kids face a
long wait for surgery in the public sector
and private treatment is unaffordable to
most families. APHF’s funds are used to
shoulder the financial burden faced by
such families, helping to save children’s
lives and give them the chance of a
happy and worry-free childhood. One
recent patient is Fang Fang, a 13-month-
old girl from a Beijing orphanage who
has a severe congenital heart defect.
Mercifully, donations have been raised
allowing Fang Fang to undergo her
operation.
Giving back
Long-term volunteer Jo Soo-Tang is now
HKAHF’s Chairman. This busy lady – who
manages her family, charity work and
a consultancy business – feels she gains
“inner peace” whilst learning about our
community by “giving back”. Jo shares
her charitable values and experiences
with her own kids (often involving them)
and her husband.
Feeling that her life is rather privileged
(like many in this city), Lyndsey Nye
volunteers at HKAHF to assist with
communications and help at events.
According to Lyndsey, “Whilst my part
might be small in the grand scheme of
things, it all counts and it’s good to know
I’m doing something more constructive
and helpful with my time.” Through
volunteering she has met some amazing
people and seen first-hand HKAHF’s
impact on many individuals – describing
her experience as “extremely rewarding”.
HKAHF depends upon Hongkongers’
support to continue its life-changing
initiatives. So, open your heart to this
big-hearted charity and visit http://
for information about
events, volunteering and donating.
Give a gift of a specially designed Gift
of Hope silver bracelet with a “HOPE”
charm. Or, buy a cuddly Hope Care Bear
handmade by dedicated volunteers for
only $100. You could also get crafty and
join a class to crochet your own Bear and
spread some love.
advice
Many children in the region need expensive medical
operations that they simply cannot afford.
Gillian Johnston
profiles a charity that aims to help them.
Have a
heart
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