The greatest gift of all

It takes someone special to choose a nursing career by the tender age of eight. Underneath Enrolled Nurse Kate Sim’s cheery demeanour is a steely determination to give her best to care for others.

Her empathy for patients extends to her commitment to donate long term to the National Heart Centre Singapore, where she works in post anaesthesia care. Kate shared, “A very young patient collapsed during her PSLE exams and died from internal haemorrhage.

“Most may consider my monthly donations to be small, that they won’t make much of a difference, but to a young child in a struggling family, that could be the transportation cost she needs to visit her father in hospital.”

We couldn’t help but shed tears when her grandmother came in.  I know I would have been devastated if it had been my family member.”

Her work with heart patients has seen Kate encounter individuals being fitted with a left ventricular assist device (LVAD), an expensive but life-saving device.

Patients fitted with the device have to endure a long wait for a heart transplant, on top of the medical cost which is a significant financial burden. Kate said, “They are shouldering a lot to fight for their lives, and lots to worry about – the high risk surgery and whether they are able to walk out of the hospital alive.”

Kate believes that it is the commitment to give that counts, and sustainable giving will help to build the amount needed over time.

“Most may consider my monthly donations to be small, that they won’t make much of a difference, but to a young child in a struggling family, that could be the transportation cost she needs to visit her father in hospital.”

She is committed to continue giving: “It gives patients hope that someone cares enough to support them as they fight for survival.

“Every individual here has a reason to give, and anyone can help. If everyone in SingHealth gives a little, the effect of the donation can touch so many lives.”

Rejoicing in opportunity to give

As a senior AV technician at SingHealth Group Education, Jayakumar Selvam’s contact with healthcare staff is often separated by the sound-proof AV room in the auditorium but he feels a connection to the larger picture when supporting conferences and lectures.

“I may be far from the frontline, but I am still part of the healthcare team, working towards the same goals,” Selvam said.

“If we think that small amounts are of no use and not take the leap of faith to start giving, then we may never begin.”

Selvam’s take on philanthropy is simple: Compassion means lending a hand when we can, as we are all brothers and sisters in humanity.

“We all need to do our part for society. I may only start with a small amount, but I may be able to increase the amount later. The important part is that I start,” Selvam said.

“If we think that small amounts are of no use and not take the leap of faith to start giving, then we may never begin.”

A deep respect for healthcare took root when Selvam realised the challenges that patients and healthcare professionals face every day. He hopes that by donating he can contribute to the future of medicine: He said, “It’s a form of patient care beyond healthcare, as funds can also go towards education or research.”

“After giving, one feels great. I hope to inculcate the same values in my children. They must want to do it from the heart,” shared Selvam.

In memory of the ones we’ve lost

The war against cancer is a very real one, especially for Gunasundari Subramaniam, a data entry clerk at the National Cancer Centre Singapore (NCCS).

She lost her mother 10 years ago to cancer, and working at NCCS, she is keenly aware of patients fighting their private battles with the disease in its many forms.

“As a NCCS staff, I lend a listening ear, but by being a long-time donor, I hope to contribute more.”

Guna started giving to cancer research after her late mother passed on and continues to give, nine years on. Having witnessed what her mother went through, she hopes that research can help other cancer patients.

She is aware that some cancer patients lack family support and that cancer treatment can leave patients weak and exhausted, so every little bit of help counts.

“The small amounts that we contribute can go into areas such as palliative care and transport services, which really makes a big difference to patients and caregivers when they are struggling,” said Guna.

“As a NCCS staff, I lend a listening ear, but by being a long-time donor, I hope to contribute more.” Now into her 23rd year of work at NCCS, she hopes her contributions will help to advance for cancer research.

“I know it’s going to be a long journey,” Guna said, “But I will continue to give for as long as I can.”