In order to bring a bright smile and a better future for children born with a heart defect all over Vietnam, the annual charity event “Run for The Hearts” was held on December 16 at Celadon City in HCM City’s Tan Phu District.

This event attracted nearly 15.000 participants in Ho Chi Minh City, raised up to over VND 5 billion.

According to the Vietnam's Ministry of Health, on average there will be one baby with congenital heart defects in 100 new-borns, equivalent to 16,000 new cases per year. Many of these children die while waiting for help. A surgery ranges from USD 1,500 to USD 7,000 and the average is USD 3,600 which is unaffordable for poor families.

With the message "Hearts to hearts, raise lives", the annually event aims to raise funds for poor children who need heart surgery, help them play and run on their own feet, live healthy lives, and reach for a bright future.

The event was organised by Gamuda Land JSC, with all proceeds given to the Heartbeat Vietnam Foundation.

“Run for the Hearts 2018” attracted nearly 15.000 runners joining together, raised over VND 5 billion (USD 215,000).

In the last 5 years, Run For The Heart events have raised nearly VND 18 billion (USD 774,000) to saved 710 children with congenital heart diseases. Sick, suffering children transfromed into healthy children, full of hope for a bright future.

VND 5 billion was raised on this year’s event, which will be enough to cover the costs of heart surgery for 181 children, raising the total number of children receiving treatment to 890 over the past years.

Founded in 2006, The 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.

Heartbeat Vietnam, a programme of VCF, has provided heart operations since 2006 for children across Vietnam, as well as helping to improve cardiac and pediatric care in Vietnam via a telemedicine training series, equipment donations, and support for province-level pediatric outreach centers./.

VNF