$424,000 required to save 53 children with hole in heart
The Children’s Heart Foundation (CHF) Ghana has started a nationwide campaign to raise funds to pay for the surgery of 53 children diagnosed with congenital heart disease.
The nationwide campaign seeks to raise some $424,000 through donations and online auction of paintings between December 18 and 31, 2020 to support the 53 children on the waiting list.
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This came to light at the maiden edition of the Gardeners Bazaar organised by the CHF on December 19 in Accra.
The two-day event created a platform for garden lovers and enthusiasts, and individuals who wanted to purchase unique Christmas gifts, for a cause to interact and share ideas to how best to support children diagnosed with congenital heart disease.
In all, 32 vendors participated in the two-day event with products such as exotic plants, garden accessories, tools, plants, feeds, inspiring quote plaques for the home, and accessories.
Raising funds
Speaking to the media at the event, the President of the foundation, Mrs Jacqui Ahomka-Lindsay, observed that the CHF Ghana was this year using the bazaar to raise funds to support the children diagnosed with congenital heart disease.
“In the 11 years of its existence, CHF Ghana has, thanks to the generosity of its sponsors, paid for surgeries for 209 children at a cost of over GH¢3.75 million.”
“That’s over 209 grateful families whose lives have changed forever because their child was able to get the lifesaving surgery they could not have afforded; there are 53 more children on the waiting list,” she said.
She said every year CHF Ghana organises major must-attend events, which bring together its very wide and highly varied corporate sponsor community, their families, clients, stakeholders, and a hard-working team of volunteers who provide support to the six trustees to make the event a success.
Redefining year
She explained that 2020 has been a redefining year due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic and CHF was unable to organise its usual flagship themed event.
However, she said there were so many Ghanaian children on the waiting list in dire need of an average of GH¢46,000 or $8000 for their open-heart surgery.
“So, it was important that in addition to personal outreach, the foundation had to focus on other fund-raising efforts.”
“This year CHF is excited to introduce the maiden edition of the Gardeners Bazaar.”
“The event brings garden lovers and enthusiasts, together with all individuals who want to purchase unique Christmas gifts, for a cause that will make significant impact to a Ghanaian family through saving lives,” she added.
Participants
A trustee of the foundation, Mrs Karen Hendrickson, said about 2,000 people were expected to participate in the bazaar and help provide support to children diagnosed with congenital heart disease.
“CHF Ghana is inviting companies and individuals to contribute to this great cause to provide financial assistance to children and their families who are in dire need.”
“If you also know a family that has a child with a heart condition known as hole in heart and is struggling to find funds to pay for the lifesaving surgery, please have them contact us.”
“Let them know we are here to help and they should not be discouraged. Just ask any of the beneficiary parents who we have paid for their child’s surgery.”