Son seeks help for heart surgery out of love for elderly parents

2026-03-16 - 01:04

Having already undergone two heart procedures, Choo Jun Yi now requires a third operation to prolong his life. (Persatuan Kebajikan Talian Hayat Kehidupan Malaysia pic) PETALING JAYA: “I’m afraid I might not wake up.” When Choo Jun Yi says this, he is not thinking about himself. Rather, the 28-year-old worries about his parents who have spent their entire lives caring for him, and who might be left alone if the heart surgery he requires does not succeed. Born with congenital heart disease, Choo underwent two major procedures in childhood. Doctors say he must now undergo a third operation to save his life – but the surgery will cost RM100,000. For Choo and his ageing parents, help from kind-hearted members of the public may be the only way forward. Choo’s struggle began almost as soon as he was born. On his second day of life, doctors diagnosed him with pulmonary atresia and ventricular septal defect, a serious congenital condition that prevents the heart from pumping blood normally. By the next day, he was being rushed into emergency surgery in a desperate effort to save his life. His mother, Ho Chiew Yen, now 59, still remembers those terrifying moments that were fraught with uncertainty, and when every decision seemed to carry enormous weight. When Choo turned five and weighed about 15kg, doctors performed his second major surgery, implanting a 19mm aortic homograft through a conduit procedure that eventually stabilised his condition. Even then, the family had been warned that the implanted vessel would likely last only about 15 years before another surgery became necessary. Choo’s mother Ho Chiew Yen has not stopped worrying about her son since he was born. (Persatuan Kebajikan Talian Hayat Kehidupan Malaysia pic) As Choo grew up, even the smallest physical exertion could cause alarm. Whenever he cried too hard or ran even a short distance, his fingers and lips would turn bluish-purple, leaving his mother fearful that something might go wrong. Many nights were spent watching over her child instead of sleeping. To this day, the worry has never really left her. 20 years of borrowed time More than two decades have passed; for Choo’s family, the extra years have felt like a blessing. Yet, they have also been a reminder that the clock was ticking. Now doctors have made it clear that the third surgery can no longer be delayed. And although Choo tries to remain brave, he admits that the operation frightens him. What weighs on his mind most is not the surgery itself but the possibility that he might not survive it, leaving his elderly parents without the son they have devoted their lives to raising. His mother left her job to could care for him full-time, while his father, Yook Soo, now 65, endured years of emotional strain while supporting the family, even battling depression as the pressures of raising a chronically ill child took their toll. Today both parents are retired, and the family relies largely on Choo’s modest income from his work as a baking apprentice. Due to his heart condition, however, he cannot take on physically demanding work and often struggles with fatigue and shortness of breath. On one occasion, he apologised to his mother for not being able to repay all that she and his father have done for him. “I’m sorry,” he told Ho, bringing tears to her eyes, “I’m not capable enough.” Choo wants the chance to care for his parents, who have spent their entire lives caring for him. (Persatuan Kebajikan Talian Hayat Kehidupan Malaysia pic) There are also small dreams Choo has never had the opportunity to fulfil. Despite being almost 30, he has never travelled alone to another city and has never gone overseas. Asked where he would like to go after he recovers from surgery, he said he would to visit neighbouring Singapore. He also hopes that improved health might allow him to take on more demanding work, earn a better income, and ease the worries his parents carry day after day. Unfortunately, the RM100,000 required for the surgery is an amount far beyond what he and his family can afford. Choo now has the support of Persatuan Kebajikan Talian Hayat Kehidupan Malaysia (Da Ai), a non-governmental organisation that aims to help disabled and special-needs individuals as well as families going through difficult times, through crowdfunding and other means. The NGO is appealing to generous Malaysians who wish to help bring Choo closer to the operation that could save his life. As of March 12, RM5,788 has been collected, according to case worker Celine Ng. More poignantly, a successful procedure would give him more time with his loved ones and fulfil what he hopes for most: the chance to care for the parents who have spent their lives caring for him. If you wish to contribute, kindly bank in your donations to CIMB account number 8605 894 192, with the reference ‘CASE 2222’. Alternatively, click here. To obtain a receipt, send your transaction slip to case worker Celine Ng at 010-218 6816 or email celine6816@gmail.com. Learn more about Persatuan Kebajikan Talian Hayat Kehidupan Malaysia here.