Case No. 2222: Choo Jun Yi (28 years old) was born with congenital heart disease and had already undergone two heart surgeries in childhood. Doctors have clearly stated that he must undergo a third surgery, or his life will be at risk.
After his second surgery at the age of five, doctors informed his mother that one of his heart vessels would only last about 15 years and would eventually require another operation.
More than 20 years have passed, this is both a miracle and a warning. The surgery can no longer be delayed.
[Connected to the surgery unit since birth.]
Jun Yi was diagnosed on the second day after birth with Pulmonary Atresia and Ventricular Septal Defect (VSD). On his third day of life, he was rushed into emergency surgery to save his life.
His mother, Ho Chiew Yen (59 years old), still remembers that moment vividly. It was not a choice, but a necessity.
When he was young, whenever he cried or ran slightly, his fingers and lips would turn bluish purple, leaving his mother worried and sleepless night after night.
At the age of five, when he reached 15 kg, he underwent his second major heart surgery. Doctors performed a conduit surgery, implanting a 19 mm aortic homograft. After the operation, his condition finally stabilized.
[“I’m afraid I won’t wake up to care for my parents”.]
Facing his third heart surgery, Jun Yi admitted: “I’m afraid. I'm afraid the surgery won’t succeed, afraid I won’t wake up.” But what he fears most is leaving his elderly parents with no one to care for them. When he said this, his mother could not hold back her tears, while Jun Yi comforted her instead.
As the only child in the family, Jun Yi grew up surrounded by his parents’ love. He says his parents have sacrificed so much for him, yet he has not had the chance to properly repay them. If he were to pass away before them, he feels it would be deeply unfilial. He softly told his mother, “I’m sorry. I’m not capable enough.” Simple words, filled with gratitude. He has truly grown up and now faces the surgery with courage and optimism.
When asked what he hopes to do after a successful surgery, Jun Yi shared that his heart condition prevents him from handling physically demanding work, as he often experiences shortness of breath and fatigue. He hopes that once he recovers, he can take on more demanding work, earn more income, and ease his parents’ worries.
Because of his condition, his mother has always kept him close. At 28 years old, he has never traveled alone to another place, nor gone overseas. If given the chance, he simply wishes to visit neighboring Singapore and see the world beyond his home.
[Parents who dedicated their lives to their child.]
After Jun Yi was born, his mother chose not to have more children and gave up her job to care for him full-time. Is it worrying? Or responsibility? Both.
His father, Choo Yook Soo (65 years old), once suffered from depression due to long-term stress. Now both parents are retired, and the family relies solely on Jun Yi’s modest income as a baking apprentice. The high cost of heart surgery is far beyond what they can afford, leaving them with no choice but to seek help from us.
[A sincere appeal to help him.]
After reviewing this case, we have decided to launch a crowdfunding campaign to help Jun Yi raise RM100,000 for his third heart surgery.
We sincerely appeal for your donations and for you to share this message, helping Jun Yi overcome this critical moment in life, and allowing his hope and love for his parents to be seen by more people.
