Children with heart defects celebrate new lease of life

Hoo (standing, orange dress), the children and their parents before cutting a cake to celebrate their successful treatment.

SOME 30 children celebrated having a new lease of life in conjunction with World Congenital Heart Defects Day.

The gathering was organised by Gleneagles Kuala Lumpur for beneficiaries of its A-Heart-for-A-Heart charity programme which was launched in 1996.

Since then, more than 1,300 patients have benefitted from the initiative.

“Last year, 52 children received free treatment at the hospital and we aim to help more underprivileged children this year,” said Gleneagles Kuala Lumpur chief executive officer Hoo Ling Lee.

“Some of the patients are not fully cured yet; they have to come for treatment periodically but at least they get to lead normal lives,” she added.

There was a live painting session by a local artist with the theme “Art of the Heart”.

The artist, Kaneges, said the painting was of a big heart encompassing a smaller one.

“The huge heart represents love and support while the smaller one represents the child patients.”

A cake-cutting ceremony and drum circle activity was also held followed by lunch. — By HANS LOO LING HAU