Although she had a hold in her heart, Siew Sok Wai from Kepong, Kuala Lumpur, was active in sports activities during her school time. She participated in hurdling on sports day, was a member of the school volleyball team, and participated in several marathons. Sok Wai thought she was well and healthy until she started work. She then realised that heart disease has always been a nightmare that never leaves her.

Her mother had a hole in her heart. When Sok Wai was born, she was also diagnosed with ventricular septal defect. She and her mother went for regular follow-up visits at the hospital as a child. She was also banned from physical education classes.

She mentioned that she felt breathless and tired more quickly than her peers at that time, but she did not have cyanosis or dyspnea. Tried to be a little rebellious, she secretly attended physical education classes and realised that she could chase and run like her classmates.

“When I was young, I always fell sick. I often caught colds, but I became healthier after exercising.”

【Her heart valve prolapsed, so she hoped to undergo surgery now to avoid larger-scale surgery in the future】

When Sok Wai grew up, she actively participated in various school activities. She loved hanging out with friends and would go for regular follow-up visits at the hospital. Her condition was stable. However, her health deteriorated when she entered the interior design industry.

The construction industry was in its high time after the year 2000. The company Sok Wai worked for received many large-scale projects that required her to submit the final products in a short time. She worked long hours every day, and her working environment was stressful. She started to experience shortness of breath and even fainted suddenly while walking after work.

Besides having a hole in her heart, she also had prolapsed heart valves. The doctor suggested that she undergo ventricular septal defect occlusion surgery to prolong the prolapse of her heart valve. The VSD occlusion surgery could prevent her from a more complex surgery. However, she was worried and helpless when she learnt that the surgical expenses were RM45,000.

【She used up her savings to pay for the surgery, but she is still short of RM35,000】

Due to pressure and physical condition, Sok Wai quit her job and became a babysitter. She helps take care of three young children of her younger brother and sends them to and from school. Her household expenses rely mainly on her 56-year-old husband, Lo Nyuk Min, an e-hailing driver.

He earns RM4,000 a month, and Sok Wai receives RM1,100 monthly as a babysitter. The couple must pay their housing mortgage, car loan, insurance, and other miscellaneous expenses. Their incomes were only enough to cover their monthly expenditures, so they needed to use their savings. However, they could only afford RM10,000.

Considering the urgency of Sok Wai’s surgery and her physical condition, One Hope Charity decided to assist in raising the RM35,000 she needed after reviewing the case.

Her family agreed to fully authorise One Hope Charity to take charge of the fundraising and collect donations from the well-wishers on their behalf. Call One Hope Charity’s hotline at 04-539 9212, 016-419 2192, 019-232 2192 or 018-911 4192 if you have questions.