S.O.S. Heart Fund seeking public assistance to save young lives
KOTA KINABALU: S.O.S. Heart Fund is reaching out to the public for assistance on its mission to help children with congenital heart defects (CHD).
Its president, Datuk Eva Susau, disclosed that the costs of the lifesaving surgeries for children with CHD are escalating and S.O.S Heart Fund needs the public’s support to continue with the noble task of saving young lives.
Susau in a statement on Monday said that since its inception in 1981, the S.O.S. Heart Fund had successfully sent 722 patients for critical CHD surgeries.
“In 2023, we sent 10 patients including one with the highest cost at RM93,579.70 as she had to undergo a second surgery to install a pacemaker to help her weak heart. While our accomplishment is noteworthy, the costs associated with these surgeries are escalating and we are reaching out to the public for support to continue this noble task of saving young lives,” she said.
According to Susau, the financial burden of children with congenital cardiac surgeries remains a challenge, and the S.O.S Heart Fund is committed to ensuring that no child is denied access to urgent lifesaving treatment due to financial constraints.
These rising costs, she said, are attributed to various factors, including medical advancements, increased demand for specialized care, and the on-going challenges in the healthcare landscape and inflations.
“S.O.S. Heart Fund remains dedicated to providing the highest quality care to children in need and we are calling upon the generosity of the public to help us overcome these financial hurdles,” she said.
Susau added the public can support the Heart Society’s mission through their kind donation.
“Your donation directly funds children’s cardiac surgeries and ensures that more children receive the care they urgently need. We also wish to call for corporate partnerships or sponsorships. Working together with the businesses can amplify the impact of our collective efforts,” she said.
She added that S.O.S. Heart Fund aims to own a half-way home for its patients from the rural areas to stay while seeking medical help in Kota Kinabalu.
It will aspire to collaborate to establish a dedicated Children’s Heart Centre or department within the standalone Sabah Heart Centre.
This initiative, she pointed out, aims to provide local access to crucial medical care for children with heart conditions.
Susau also said that the exco’s continuous support had been invaluable and as the S.O.S. Heart Fund steps into 2024, she eagerly anticipates further collaboration and achievements and seek all exco members’ continued selfless support to make a positive impact on the lives of those in need.
She praised and expressed appreciation to all donors and the State Government through the Ministry of Community Development and People’s Wellbeing for their kind support and is looking forward for their continuing support to the society.
“For more information on how to contribute or get involved, please visit our website at www. sabahheartfund.org or contact Melinda Lo (Honorary Secretary) at 016-881 9203 or Mr. Dicksonal (Admin) at 019-880 1270 or direct bank into our account at Maybank Berhad (No: 5101 4311 2262) and whatsapp a copy of your receipt to us so we can issue you with a tax exemption receipt,” she said.