Continuing the success of previous years, the Scar of Life will be held for the 8^th time on November 29 at the French Consul General’s Residence and Garden to raise awareness and funding for life-saving operations for disadvantaged children with congenital heart defects (CHD).

Ngo Thanh Van, Heartbeat Vietnam Ambassador and Scar of Life initiator at the press conference. (Photo: VCF)

In the press conference at Novotel hotel on November 15, Ngo Thanh Van, Heartbeat Vietnam Ambassador and Scar of Life initiator, together with The VinaCapital Foundation (VCF) introduced “The Lucky Clover” as Scar of Life 8’s main theme, in hope that more children with CHD will receive the “lucky fourth leaf”, the live-saving surgery they need to have a healthy and bright future.

Introduced in 2010, Scar of Life is the idea of Heartbeat Vietnam Ambassador Ngo Thanh Van and the joint effort between her Vietnam Artist Agency and the VCF. The campaign’s spirit is when children receive the heart surgeries, the scars on their chests mean transformations. A sick, suffering child transforms into an energetic bright child, curious, full of life and able to return to school and become a productive member of society.

Year by year, Scar of Life has inspired thousands of people, from business executives to community leaders and artists; all have taken parts in this magical journey to give the second chance in life for disadvantaged children with congenital heart defects. Since 2010, Scar of Life events have raised fund to save the lives of 1,520 children and since 2007 Heartbeat Vietnam has saved the lives of 6,750 children from 63 provinces.

This year, with the French Consulate General’s the incredible support, Scar of Life 8 expects over 300 guests who will help to give the Fourth Lucky Leaf to the children suffering from the unlucky congenital heart defects.

The dinner event will premier actor Jun Pham’s directorial debut which is the short movie “Four-Leaf Clover” produced exclusively to help Scar of Life spread the message of “Give Luck, Gain Love”.

The guests will bid for 47 silent auctions items or take part in the event’s highlight when 10 most valuable items will be live auctioned on stage, made possible by generous donations of Longines, Mia Resort Nha Trang, Six Senses Resort Ninh Van Bay, John Richards, Austin Home, Perfetto, Italian Point, Ben Thanh Art & Fame and art collector Lan Lưu. Besides, you can donate directly for the program.

This years, the signature item is the “Pure Lotus Heart” liuli crystal statue in the private collection of its creator who is the pioneering artist Loretta Hui-san Yang. Ngo Thanh Van was granted Yang’s endorsement and blessing to feature the statue at Scar of Life 8.

Cong Hieu, a beneficiary of Heartbeat Vietnam and his mother. (Photo: VCF)

"With Scars of Life 8, I aspire to call for more philanthropists to join hands in giving the 'Luckly Four-Leaf Clover' to help heal little children’ hearts.” said Van, “It also speaks the commitment from Heartbeat Vietnam and myself to stand side by side with parents whose beloved sons and daughter are suffering from the painful heart diseases. I believe if we hold on to our hope and faith, our passion and collective efforts will make miracles.”

“VCF’s mission is to empower the children and the youth of Vietnam by providing opportunities for growth through health and education projects, focusing on underdeveloped rural areas across the country”, said Don Lam, VCF Chairman, “VCF persistently supports children with congenital heart defects because if we cannot save them in time, many children can die needlessly before they can become a productive member of society. More important than that, when children recover, their parents can focus on finding jobs, earn more money for the family and eventually escape poverty. I hope that in the long term, it will help provinces to save social budgets to invest in critical socio-economic development.

I also want to express my deep appreciation to Ms. Ngo Thanh Van, Heartbeat Vietnam Ambassador and the initiator of Scar of Life. It is her passion for the children, her talent and creativeness in the Scar of Life events that inspire us all and thousands of donors, many of whom have supported Scar of Life for years. The VCF is grateful for every and all supports to Scar of Life and Heartbeat Vietnam from passionate inpiduals, businesses and organizations. I believe all of us, together, will make that day come true when no more children of Vietnam would die from congenital heart defects.”

Founded in 2006, VinaCapital Foundation (VCF) aims to empower the children and youth of Vietnam, by providing opportunities for growth and improvement through health and education programs. The work of VCF touches the lives of millions of Vietnamese in 63 provinces every year.

VCF’s grassroots medical programs include Heartbeat Vietnam and Rural Outreach Clinics - designed to locate diseased at risk and disadvantaged children in even the remotest areas and provide access to quality healthcare.

Heartbeat Vietnam is a program sponsored by VCF that started in 2006 supporting heart operations to save poor Vietnamese children aged 18 or under./.

VNF