GEORGE TOWN: Besides thanking donors and well-wishers, goldsmith Chong Keat Yong (pic) is particularly grateful to the organ donor who gave his 12-year-old son a second chance in life.
Chong, 46, said the selfless and benevolent act of the donor, whose identity is withheld, had broadened his perspective in life.
After news went out that his son Cheng Fong was in need of a liver transplant, Chong said he received a call from the woman who hailed from Johor Baru.
“She asked me how could she help my son. I told her all the procedures.
“Soon after that, I received a call from the National University Hospital in Singapore, saying a compatible donor was found.
“After the operation, the woman came only once for the check-up.
“She graciously said she would go for the medical check-up on her own after that, as it would be a financial burden to me if she continued with the routine check-up at NUH,” said Chong, who was choked with emotion.
He was relating this during a press conference on the closing of the “Save Chong Cheng Fong medical fund raising project” organised by the Lions Club of George Town Mutiara on Friday.
The project was launched on Aug 10 in aid of Cheng Fong, who was suffering from hepatic encephalopathy (liver dysfunction) in July and was in need of a liver transplant.
He was admitted to the paediatric intensive care unit at the University Malaya Medical Centre, Kuala Lumpur and lay comatose there while on life support.
On Aug 23, Cheng Fong was transferred to NUH Singapore after a compatible donor was found.
The 10-hour surgery was carried out successfully the next day.
Chong said his son is now undergoing physiotherapy to restore his speech and movement.
He said Cheng Fong was expected to be discharged soon, adding that they would stay in Johor Baru for another two months as his son still needed to undergo weekly observation at NUH.
Lions Club International past district governor Datuk Khoo Kay Huat, who is also the project treasurer, said they managed to raise RM367,650.52.
“The medical fund was used to make two payments to NUH – RM225,552 and RM140,070.14. Another RM1,249 was spent on the donor for her stay in Singa-pore when she went for the screening.
“There is now a balance of RM779.38 which we will hand over to Chong,” he said.
Project chairman May Cheah, who is also Lions Club of George Town Mutiara past president, announced the end of the fundraising initiative yesterday.At the event, three clubs – Lions Club of George Town, Lions Club of Manjung Permai and Lions Club of Georgetown City – also contributed another RM17,500 to Chong.
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