Congenital heart patient appeals for support for life-saving surgery
by The Borneo Post · Borneo Post OnlineKUCHING (March 21): A 28-year-old man suffering from congenital heart disease is urgently seeking public assistance to raise RM100,000 for a life-saving third heart surgery.
Choo Jun Yi, who has undergone two surgeries since birth, has been advised by doctors to undergo another operation as sson as possible to prevent further complications that could threaten his life.
According to Persatuan Kebajikan Talian Hayat Kehidupan Malaysia, the surgery is expected to be performed at a private hospital in Kuala Lumpur, with the date yet to be finalised pending his condition.
Choo was diagnosed with Pulmonary Atresia and Ventricular Septal Defect (VSD) shortly after birth and underwent emergency surgery on his third day of life.
A second procedure was carried out when he was five years old, during which doctors implanted a conduit expected to last about 15 years.
“More than 20 years have passed, this is both a miracle and a warning. The surgery can no longer be delayed,” said the association.
Despite his condition, Choo remains more concerned about his ageing parents than himself, as he is their only child.
“I’m afraid the surgery won’t succeed. I’m afraid I won’t wake up,” he said, expressing worry over who would care for his parents should anything happen to him.
His mother, Ho Chiew Yen, 59, had given up her job to care for him full-time, while his father, Yook Soo, 65, previously suffered from depression due to prolonged stress.
Currently working as a baking apprentice, Choo is unable to take pn physically demanding jobs due to ffrequent fatigue and shortness of breath, limiting his ability to support his family.
The family now relies largely on his modest income, with medical costs far exceeding their means.
Choo said he hopes to recover and eventually work to ease his parents’ burden.
The association said donations have reached over RM13,000 at the time of writing, and urged more Malaysians to come forward to support Choo’s treatment.
Contributions can be made via CIMB Account 8605894192, using reference CASE 2222.
“Kindly snap and forward us the donation slip so that we can report to the public how much funds have been collected, and issue the official receipt to the donors,” said the association.
“We hope that more Malaysians will come forward to offer their support. Every contribution, no matter how small, can make a meaningful difference in his fight for survival.”
For more information, contact Celine on 010-2186816 or email celine6816@gmail.com.