Editor’s Note
Kylie Minogue might well have been the star performer at this year’s Amfar gala dinner but it was home-grown hero Cathy Lee who ended up stealing the show. The low-key actress-turned-philanthropist made a rare public appearance at the annual fundraiser, where she was honoured with the Award of Courage for her work supporting the Chi Heng Foundation, a charity that helps children and adults affected by Aids here and in Mainland China.
During an emotional acceptance speech, Cathy told the audience, “Let’s be clear; this isn’t for me. This is for all the people who suffer from the condition and live with it every day.” As a goodwill ambassador for the foundation, Cathy has travelled extensively through China visiting poverty-stricken families whose members have become infected with HIV, the virus that causes Aids, and raised funds to help young people with HIV who are shunned by their community. During an interview with features editor Marianna Cerini for this month’s cover story, Cathy explains why she continues to fight so passionately for the cause. “People tell me to join less ‘risky’ philanthropic efforts. Reactions like that have only made me more aware of how important it is to fight the misconceptions and stigma that still surround Aids.” Read the full interview on page 106.
More inspirational stories unfold in High Hopes on page 114, where Jo Soo-tang, Anson Chan, Sharie Ross-tse and Jeanine Hsu talk aboutcmy the importance of the Women of Hope awards, which celebrate the city’s most dynamic female K philanthropists while also raising funds for the Hong Kong Adventist Hospital Foundation.
Another formidable female force tirelessly working to make Hong Kong a better place is Michelle Ong. The director and creative head of Carnet Jewellery and founder of the First Initiative Foundation reflects on her latest philanthropic mission on page 118. As the newly appointed chairman of the Marco Polo Society, a non-profit organisation that fosters cultural exchanges between Italy, Hong Kong, Macau and Mainland China, Michelle will bring Italian Renaissance masterpieces to the city this month for a major exhibition. “This is a way to offer a glimpse of Italy’s legacy,” she tells us. “And for people to learn. The more you learn, the more you want to learn.”
We couldn’t agree more and hopefully our annual Schools Guide, which accompanies this issue and is also available online at hongkongtatler.com, will also provide valuable food for thought.