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Borneo Post
4 days ago
- Health
- Borneo Post
Community support helps baby reach fundraising goal for surgery
Dr Jack (fourth right) symbolically hands over the funds raised by the public to Keh Chuong for his daughter Yvonne's upcoming ABI operation, as others look on. MIRI (Aug 5): A remarkable display of community support has enabled 22-month-old Yvonne Paw to receive a life-changing auditory brainstem implant (ABI) operation after fundraising efforts exceeded its target in just seven days. The campaign, which aimed to raise RM95,000 to fund the surgery, was officially closed today after collecting RM100,734.05 — surpassing the target by over RM5,000. The achievement was announced by the Miri City Cochlear Implant Society (MCCIS) on behalf of Piasau assemblyman Datuk Sebastian Ting Chew Yew during a press conference. 'As of Aug 5, the collection has reached RM100,734.05, exceeding our target. Datuk Sebastian has kindly requested that we end the fundraising programme, as we have achieved our goal,' said MCCIS deputy chairman Dr Wong Jack. CT scans at Miri Hospital revealed that Yvonne was born without cochleae in both ears, leaving her profoundly deaf since birth. Due to this rare condition, she is not eligible for the more common cochlear implant. Instead, she requires an ABI, which is specifically designed for patients with absent or damaged cochleae. The total cost of the operation is RM145,000, of which Yvonne's parents —both teachers — had managed to raise RM50,000 before seeking public assistance for the remaining funds. Medical experts advised that the ABI procedure should be carried out before the age of two, making the scheduled surgery on Aug 16, 2025 at Borneo Medical Centre (BMC) in Kuching a race against time. Moved by the family's plea, Ting launched the public fundraising programme with just 18 days to go before the scheduled operation. Yvonne's parents, Paw Keh Chuong and Wong Siew Chin, expressed their deep gratitude and emotion over the overwhelming public response. 'We are so grateful to all those who kindly and generously donated,' said Keh Chuong. 'To achieve the target within seven days is just unbelievable — we would have been grategul even if we achieved this by Aug 16.' Preparations for the surgery are underway. The donated funds were officially handed over by by Dr Jack on behalf of Ting to Yvonne's father at the Sarawak United People's Party (SUPP) Piasau office today, witnessed by MCCIS treasurer Dr Doris Jong and SUPP leaders. Yvonne and her mother will travel to Kuching on Aug 13 for pre-surgery preparations, including an MRI scan on Aug 14. Both parents will take leave from their teaching posts to accompany their daughter through the crucial procedure. Ting, who is currently overseas, issued a statement thanking the public, stating: 'We pray for the very best for baby Yvonne's upcoming surgery. God bless everyone who contributed to the success of this fundraising programme.' With financial concerns now resolved, Yvonne's parents are looking forward to the surgery's success — a gift from the generous Miri community, who have come together to give baby Yvonne the chance to hear for the first time in her life. fund raising hearing implants Sebastian Ting
Borneo Post
29-07-2025
- Health
- Borneo Post
Miri parents appeal for RM95,000 to help 22-month-old daughter hear
Yvonne in the arms of her father Keh Chuan (fifth left), mother (sixth left) as well as Ting (seventh left) and Rhea at the press conference to raise funds for Yvonne's operation. MIRI (July 29): The parents of 22-month-old Yvonne Paw are urgently appealing to the public to help raise RM95,000 for an auditory brainstem implant (ABI) operation scheduled for Aug 16, 2025 — a life-changing surgery that could allow her to hear for the first time. CT scans at Miri Hospital revealed that Yvonne was born without cochleae in both ears, rendering her profoundly deaf since birth. The operation will be conducted at Borneo Medical Centre (BMC) Kuching, and her family is racing against time to secure the funds needed. She was diagnosed with hearing problems shortly after birth, and her mother Wong Siew Chin and father Paw Keh Chuong are now desperate, placing their hopes in the public's generosity to give their daughter the gift of sound. Piasau assemblyman Datuk Sebastian Ting Chiew Yew said the ABI procedure differs from the more common cochlear implant, as it is meant for patients with absent or damaged cochleae. The estimated cost for Yvonne's operation is RM145,000, of which RM50,000 has already been raised. 'The family has managed to raise RM50,000, but it is still short of RM95,000 with 18 days left to this operation,' he said during a press conference at the Sarawak United People's Party (SUPP) Piasau office on Tuesday. Ting, who is also the Deputy Minister of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts, as well as SUPP Piasau branch chairman and party secretary-general, urged the public to donate through the Miri City Cochlear Implant Society (MCCIS). 'There are only 18 days left as the operation is scheduled to be carried out on Aug 16 this year,' he said. As MCCIS chairman, Ting expressed appreciation to Miri residents for their past generosity, citing the case of Rhea Moh Ning Xuan, a girl who partially regained her hearing after undergoing a successful cochlear implant procedure last year. Ting said Rhea, now one and a half-years-old, underwent surgery on Dec 22, 2024, when she was about one-year-old. Rhea, a previous recipient of a cochlear implant procedure, lies on the shoulder of Ting, who helped kick off the fundraising campaign for her successful operation last year. Her operation was made possible thanks to overwhelming public response to her parents' appeal. Rhea's parents, Moh Nien Chong and Janet Teng, attended Tuesday's press conference in support of the fundraising drive for Yvonne. According to Dr Doris Jong, Rhea is responding well to sounds, especially the 'Happy Birthday' song, and her hearing has improved from profound to moderate loss. She is also beginning to make sounds of her own. Ting made a heartfelt appeal to the public to help Yvonne receive her implant before she turns two, which is a critical milestone for speech and auditory development. 'To those rooting for Yvonne to also hear and eventually learn, please donate to the operation for best results before she reaches the age of two,' he said. All donations will go to a dedicated account for Yvonne's operation. Those interested can contact the SAHATI Service & Information Centre, or donate directly to the Alliance Bank account of the Miri City Cochlear Implant Society: 110270010015028. hearing implants public donations Sebastian Ting surgery
