Friends for Fiji Heart Foundation charity raises more than $130,000
Friends of Fiji Heart Foundation (FOFH) hosted their 10th annual charity dinner at Pullman Hotel on November 19 where they raised more than $130,000 from 14 items sold in an auction.
The event gathered around 600 patrons of the foundation. Some of the items auctioned included a small framed bat signed by former Black Cap captain Brendan McCullum, an accounting package worth $1000, Blue Lagoon Cruise packages, Fiji 7’s jersey signed by the team, All Black’s jersey signed by Richie McCaw, Heart Valve Memorabilia from 'Mediatronics', and a fully functional heart surgery machine.
The highest bid was secured by the Heart Valve Memorabilia that was bought by for $19,000.
Fiji 7’s Olympic gold-winning jersey went for $9,000 and the fully functional heart and lung machine was sold out for $50,000, with 10 contributors donating $5,000 each for their names to be embedded on the equipment.
Present at the fundraiser was 16-year-old Agnes from Fiji who recently went through a surgery and is now healthy.
“Exactly three years ago, Agnes was unable to even come out of her room, and now, after the surgery, she is travelling the world,” said a member from the foundation.
She expressed her gratitude towards the donors and appealed to the mass to come forward to donate for the noble cause.
A few members voluntarily made extra contributions apart from what was raised through the auction.
FOFH—a charitable organisation that provides free open surgery currently unavailable in Fiji—was the brainchild of Dr Parma Nand and was established in 2006 at Mahatma Gandhi Centre in Auckland. It is currently led by Dr Vinod Singh, a Clinical Teacher and Senior Lecturer of Medicine at the University of Auckland.
FOFHF has a team of 80 volunteers, who transfer 15+ tonne of equipment every time they travel to Fiji for surgery. Each year, the foundation needs $230,000 to $250,000 to cover the cost of medications, heart valve logistics, medical team members’ travel, food and lodging.
The Ministry of Health of Fiji provides an annual grant to cover some of the expenses of accommodation and medical supplies needed in operation.
The foundation completed its 11th mission in September 2016, and in the last 10 years has provided treatment worth $15m. The team carries out 22–27 open heart surgeries, 20–30 pacemaker implants, about 100 pacemaker checks, and 20–30 coronary angioplasties and stenting each year, none of which were available in Fiji.
Performing heart surgeries require special equipment and expert knowledge from experienced doctors in the field of cardiology. The operations are offered free to people from poor financial background who cannot afford the treatment overseas.
Patrons and trustees of FOFHF are ex-Fijians settled in New Zealand, who support the cause by bringing funds to the trust.
Friends of Fiji Heart Foundation (FOFH) hosted their 10th annual charity dinner at Pullman Hotel on November 19 where they raised more than $130,000 from 14 items sold in an auction.
The event gathered around 600 patrons of the foundation. Some of the items auctioned included a small framed bat...
Friends of Fiji Heart Foundation (FOFH) hosted their 10th annual charity dinner at Pullman Hotel on November 19 where they raised more than $130,000 from 14 items sold in an auction.
The event gathered around 600 patrons of the foundation. Some of the items auctioned included a small framed bat signed by former Black Cap captain Brendan McCullum, an accounting package worth $1000, Blue Lagoon Cruise packages, Fiji 7’s jersey signed by the team, All Black’s jersey signed by Richie McCaw, Heart Valve Memorabilia from 'Mediatronics', and a fully functional heart surgery machine.
The highest bid was secured by the Heart Valve Memorabilia that was bought by for $19,000.
Fiji 7’s Olympic gold-winning jersey went for $9,000 and the fully functional heart and lung machine was sold out for $50,000, with 10 contributors donating $5,000 each for their names to be embedded on the equipment.
Present at the fundraiser was 16-year-old Agnes from Fiji who recently went through a surgery and is now healthy.
“Exactly three years ago, Agnes was unable to even come out of her room, and now, after the surgery, she is travelling the world,” said a member from the foundation.
She expressed her gratitude towards the donors and appealed to the mass to come forward to donate for the noble cause.
A few members voluntarily made extra contributions apart from what was raised through the auction.
FOFH—a charitable organisation that provides free open surgery currently unavailable in Fiji—was the brainchild of Dr Parma Nand and was established in 2006 at Mahatma Gandhi Centre in Auckland. It is currently led by Dr Vinod Singh, a Clinical Teacher and Senior Lecturer of Medicine at the University of Auckland.
FOFHF has a team of 80 volunteers, who transfer 15+ tonne of equipment every time they travel to Fiji for surgery. Each year, the foundation needs $230,000 to $250,000 to cover the cost of medications, heart valve logistics, medical team members’ travel, food and lodging.
The Ministry of Health of Fiji provides an annual grant to cover some of the expenses of accommodation and medical supplies needed in operation.
The foundation completed its 11th mission in September 2016, and in the last 10 years has provided treatment worth $15m. The team carries out 22–27 open heart surgeries, 20–30 pacemaker implants, about 100 pacemaker checks, and 20–30 coronary angioplasties and stenting each year, none of which were available in Fiji.
Performing heart surgeries require special equipment and expert knowledge from experienced doctors in the field of cardiology. The operations are offered free to people from poor financial background who cannot afford the treatment overseas.
Patrons and trustees of FOFHF are ex-Fijians settled in New Zealand, who support the cause by bringing funds to the trust.
Leave a Comment