HEALTH
HONG KONG CANCER FUND
Founded by Sally Lo in 1987, the Hong Kong Cancer Fund is the city’s largest cancer support organisation. The crux of its services is its free information and support to those living with or affected by cancer, but it has since expanded into other areas, including public education, cancer research and funding hospital equipment.
To raise public awareness, the organisation also runs annual campaigns and events, including the fundraising campaign Pink Revolution, which runs in conjunction with Breast Cancer Awareness Month; the charity shopping event Shop for Pink; the Dress Pink Day, which raises awareness and funds by encouraging participants to dress up in pink; and the Stride for a Cure annual fundraising walkathon. cancer-fund.org
In The Diary:
Hong Kong Cancer Fund Ball, December 7; Pink Revolution, October 2019, and Hong Kong Cancer Fund Ball, December 2019.
New Campaigns:
The Hong Kong Cancer Fund will open its first free women’s cancer support centre in early 2019, providing services such as counselling sessions, health and wellness programmes, and rehabilitation support. Share the Care, a video starring the organisation’s ambassadors, including Coco Lee and Fala Chen, also premiered this year.
How To Help?
Make a one-off or monthly donation; provide a grant; share the organisation’s campaign videos; join one of its events; or run your own fundraiser.
HONG KONG ADVENTIST HOSPITAL FOUNDATION
The Hong Kong Adventist Hospital Foundation aims to care for those in need, providing financial assistance to support medical treatment for underprivileged people. Its charity outreach programmes include funds addressing health issues such as heart disease, cancer, children’s health, dementia and otology. Funds are raised through donations, campaigns and events, including the foundation’s signature Women of Hope fundraiser, which honours women who have championed social justice and benefits the foundation’s Cancer Fund. A men’s equivalent, the Men of Hope fundraiser, was launched in 2016, aiming to raise funds for the Adventist Heart Fund. Jo Soo-tang, co-chair of the foundation, is the driving force behind these two campaigns. hkahf.org.hk
In The Diary:
Adventist’s Got Talent, December 2.
New Campaigns:
This year the foundation launched the Living Well Partnership. Hosted by the Landmark Mandarin Oriental Hong Kong, it raises money for the organisation’s Healthy Lifestyle Fund, which provides wellness programmes for the needy with the help of partners J Life Foundation and Chickensoup Foundation. The partnership also advocates for sustainable living. To participate, make a direct donation, purchase a Hope bracelet created by jewellery maker Niin, or add 1 per cent to your bill if you stay at the hotel.
How To Help?
Make a donation; join one of the foundation’s events; or participate in the Living Well Partnership.
MAGGIE’S CANCER CARING CENTRE
Maggie’s Cancer Caring Centre Hong Kong, opened in 2013, is an affiliate of the Maggie’s Cancer Caring Centres in the UK. Its professional team of oncology nurses, social workers and clinical psychologists focus on the practical, emotional and mental wellbeing of people living with cancer, as well as their families and friends. Its approach is to unite support networks and professional help in one place, and to aid those affected by cancer. It provides free services and programmes, including informational sessions with oncology nurses, counselling sessions with clinical psychologists or social workers, support groups and an array of health and wellness workshops and programmes, from music therapy to beauty workshops.
The centre’s programming takes place within the grounds of Tuen Mun Hospital in a building designed pro bono by renowned architect Frank Gehry and surrounded by an exquisitely landscaped garden, providing its visitors with a relaxing, visually pleasing environment. Che-hung Leong is currently chairman. maggiescentre.org.hk
In The Diary:
Maggie’s Cancer Caring Centre and AIA Group Charity Golf Day, March 1, 2019.
How To Help?
Make a donation; volunteer your time; or join one of the centre’s fundraising events: its largest is the Fayre of St John’s concert and party, held during the winter holidays every year.
“THIRTY YEARS AGO I LOST A DEAR FRIEND TO CANCER AND IN HER MEMORY FOUNDED THE CANCER FUND TO ENSURE NO ONE FACES CANCER ALONE. TODAY MY PASSION FOR OUR CAUSE IS STRONGER THAN EVER AND I AM CONSTANTLY INSPIRED BY THE COURAGE OF THOSE WE SERVE. OUR LARGE NETWORK OF CANCER CARE CENTRES OFFERS FREE PROFESSIONAL HELP TO ANYONE TOUCHED BY CANCER.” —SALLY LO “IT SADDENS ME TO KNOW THAT MANY PEOPLE IN HONG KONG CAN’T AFFORD TO EVEN CONSIDER SEEKING PROPER HELP WHEN THEY FALL SICK. THE HKAHF, WITH ITS DOCTORS AND VOLUNTEERS, PROVIDES GENUINE CARE AND SUPPORT AND TIMELY MEDICAL SERVICES TO THE UNDERPRIVILEGED. THAT TO ME IS BENEFICIAL AND MEANINGFUL WORK.” —ANN CHA “I JOINED THE BOARD A FEW YEARS AGO. I FELT COMPELLED TO HELP AFTER HAVING FAMILY AND FRIENDS IMPACTED BY CANCER. I THINK EVERYONE HAS BEEN TOUCHED BY IT. IT IS VERY IMPORTANT TO HAVE THE PSYCHOSOCIAL SUPPORT WHEN FIGHTING CANCER. MAGGIE’S IS A DROP-IN CENTRE PROVIDING TIMELY SUPPORT WITHOUT THE NEED FOR REFERRAL, PRE-REGISTRATION OR SCHEDULING.” —ANNE WANG-LIU
HONG KONG HEREDITARY BREAST CANCER FAMILY REGISTRY
While risk assessment and genetic testing for breast and ovarian cancer is common practice in many places, this was not always the case in Hong Kong or across Asia. With this in mind, the Hong Kong Hereditary Breast Cancer Family Registry was founded by Ava Kwong in 2007 with the aim of making genetic testing for hereditary breast and ovarian cancer more readily available to underprivileged people, and to collect relevant data for research purposes. While cancer registries for individual patients already existed in Asia, this was one of the first in the region to go a step further and collect data on family members as well, gaining a greater understanding of the effects of genetics.
The organisation’s services include informational talks for medical professionals and the public, the Free BRCA Ovarian Cancer Drugs Programme, which provides medication to low-income patients, the Free Wig and Styling programme, and the Breast Friend, Hong Kong’s first mobile app for breast cancer patients and their carers. It also organises public education campaigns and fundraising events. asiabreastregistry.com
How To Help?
Make a one-off or monthly donation; have guests to your wedding, birthday or other special occasion make a donation to the organisation in lieu of a gift; or attend one of its events. YOUTH DIABETES ACTION Founded by Joanna Hotung in 2001, Youth Diabetes Action is dedicated to supporting children and young people with diabetes and their families through education, events, funding and raising public awareness. While its events cultivate a community and support network among people dealing with diabetes, the organisation also runs a formal mentor programme that matches experienced members with newly diagnosed patients and their families.
Youth Diabetes Action offers a range of resources to patients, from useful information to financial aid. Some needy patients (children or students up to the age of 25) can apply to the organisation’s financial assistance programme to receive money for their medical supplies. Since many schools are not well-informed about diabetes in children, the organisation also has a school care plan for teachers. Youth Diabetes Action’s membership consists of children and adults with diabetes, parents and medical professionals. yda.org.hk
In The Diary:
Annual Christmas Gathering (members only), December 15.
New Campaigns:
For the first time, Youth Diabetes Action hosted the Greater China Diabetes Youth Camp in Hong Kong this year.
How To Help?
Make a one-off or monthly donation; sponsor a child’s medical expenses; become an associated member; or volunteer your time.
HONG KONG AIDS FOUNDATION
Established in 1991, the Hong Kong Aids Foundation is a non-governmental social service organisation dedicated to preventing the spread of HIV through public education and supporting those living with the condition. It provides resources ranging from counselling and support groups to financial assistance for the needy. The organisation promotes public awareness through exhibitions, seminars and free HIV testing, focusing particular attention on schools, ethnic minorities and the gay community. Led by chairman Che-hung Leong, the organisation has also supported Aids prevention organisations in Mainland China, opening a collaboration centre in Beijing in 2007, as well as others around the world. aids.org.hk
In The Diary:
Love with Sexitude mall exhibition, December 21-25.
New Campaigns:
The organisation put on its first Aids Free Charity Trail Run earlier this year to raise funds for people living with HIV and increase public awareness of the issue.
How To Help?
Make a one-off or monthly donation; place a donation box at your office or send part of the proceeds of the products you sell to the organisation; join one of the organisation’s events; or volunteer your time to help with services such as publicity, fundraising and staffing the helpline.
“AS A DOCTOR I HAVE LEARNED MUCH FROM PATIENTS AND FAMILIES WHO ARE AT HIGH RISK OF BREAST, OVARIAN AND PROSTATE CANCER. AS THE WORK WE DO FOLLOWS ADVANCES IN MEDICINE, WE HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO CONTRIBUTE TO PUBLIC HEALTH PLANNING WHICH IS MORE IMPACTFUL AND TOUCHES MORE LIVES.” —AVA KWONG “WHEN YOU HAVE TO DO FIVE BLOOD TESTS AND INJECTIONS EVERY DAY, LIFE CAN SEEM BLEAK, BUT YOUTH DIABETES ACTION’S GOAL IS TO ENSURE THAT NO CHILD IS LEFT BEHIND BECAUSE OF DIABETES. FOR ME PERSONALLY, THIS MESSAGE IS VERY CLOSE TO HOME AS MY DAUGHTER WAS DIAGNOSED AT THE AGE OF SEVEN.” —JOHANNA HOTUNG