Two heart patients seek donations for surgeries

Two heart patients seek donations for surgeries
PHOTO: Two heart patients seek donations for surgeries

KUALA LUMPUR - A youth and a toddler who suffer from complex heart diseases are appealing for donations.

The operations, to be carried out at a private hospital here, will cost RM50,000 (S$19,172) and RM58,000 respectively.

Law Key Chuan, 21, from Malim, Malacca, struggles from defective pulmonary and tricuspid valves which mainly operate as the channel of the blood (oxygen) to the lungs.

Key Chuan's brother, Law Khey Beng, 40, said his sister's condition was discovered in March when she went for a scan after experiencing recurring blackouts and shortness of breath.

"The doctor found out there was a leak in the right ventricle of her heart.

"The Gleneagles Hospital estimated the surgery will cost around RM50,000," said Khey Beng, who is the sole breadwinner in the family of four.

He said his sister was once warded when she was only 12 days and her condition worsened over the years.

Meanwhile, 3-year-old Chia Yu Tian suffers from pulmonary atresia, a congenital heart disease in which the valve that lets blood flow from the lower-right chamber of the heart to the lungs has not formed or is closed.

Chia also suffers from a ventrical septal defect or a hole in the heart.

Her mother, Thor Chay Kwian, 34, said Chia had undergone three BT shunt procedures, the first when she was 5 months old, to treat her condition.

"The surgery this time is estimated around RM58,000 and will help her live normally," said Thor, who is a housewife from Klang.

Chia is slated to undergo a surgery for her pulmonary atresia before another operation to treat the hole in her heart.

Donors can send cheques made payable to The New Straits Times Press (M) Bhd with their names written on the back and addressed to: The Cashier, Finance Department/Charity Unit, The New Straits Times Press (M) Bhd, Balai Berita, 31 Jalan Riong, Bangsar, 59100 Kuala Lumpur.

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