On August 18th, the Heart Heroes Charity Run 2024 raised RM40,000 for congenital heart disease (CHD). Organized by Yayasan Jantung Kongenital Malaysia (YJKM), a leading foundation dedicated to improving the lives of those affected by CHD, the event was held in partnership with the Malaysian Paediatric Cardiac Society (MPCS). With 700 participants gathering at the University Malaya (UM) Arena, the run marked a significant effort to support children and families facing the challenges of CHD.
Understanding CHD
Image via Pediatric Associates of Charlottesville
Congenital heart disease is a structural heart abnormality present at birth, affecting 1 in every 100 babies worldwide. In Malaysia, around 5,000 babies are born with CHD each year. While the condition presents lifelong challenges, timely surgical interventions can significantly improve quality of life.
As a result, nearly 3,000 individuals in Malaysia will need at least one heart surgery in their lifetime. This charity run offered a meaningful way to have fun while raising crucial funds for these life-saving procedures.
Community Support for Charity Run 2024
Heart Heroes Charity Run 2024 featured a 5km and a 1.2km run. All people of different ages and fitness levels participated in this way. Additionally, the event included beneficial activities such as free dental check-ups and special activities for children. These initiatives fostered a fun and lively spirit among family and friends.
Eric Tan Chin Zhia, YJKM CEO and Heart Heroes Run Co-Chair expressed his plan for combating CHD:
We have been planning a charity run for a long time, so it’s great to finally be able to hold this run together with the support of all our collaborators. We hope we can raise more funds for CHD patients in the future and make a real difference in their lives.
Generous Sponsorships and Their Impact
Many sponsors contributed to the success of this event. Le Meridien Putrajaya Hotel, Be Pharmacy, Cardiac Vascular Sentral Kuala Lumpur (CVSKL), and many others came together. Their support played an important role in the success of the event.
The raised fund will support these major goals for YJKM. It includes Congenital Heart Surgery for all programs, providing surgeries for underprivileged children, and improvement of pediatric cardiology services. Truly, the event raised public awareness about CHD and reinforced YJKM’s role as a leading advocate for CHD patients.
Successful Charity Run 2024: Looking Forward
YKJM remains committed to improving the lives of those affected by congenital heart foundation. With over RM500,000 invested in supporting CHD patients, YKJM continues to sponsor heart surgeries for B40 families and provide essential equipment to local heart centers.
Public support is the lifeblood of this mission, and Yayasan Jantung Kongenital Malaysia is inviting everyone to get involved and help create a lasting impact. Together, we can make children with CHD lead healthier, happier lives.
Want to learn more about their programs or make a donation? Kindly visit:
- Website: mycongenitalheart.org
- Email: [email protected]
