The National Healthcare Group (NHG) Orthopaedic Surgery residency programme was presented with Make-A-Wish Singapore's Top Fundraiser Award, for raising more than $21,700 in the '2022 Santa Race for Wishes' at its annual community engagement day. The funds raised will go towards granting wishes of children with critical illnesses.
To match the amount raised in mileage, 45 NHG Orthopaedic Surgery residents, faculty, administrative staff and their families took to East Coast Park on Saturday morning, 26 Nov 2022, to walk or run (1km), or cycle (2km) for every $100 donated, clocking a cumulative distance of 440km.
NHG Orthopaedic Surgery Chief Resident, Dr Chan Juen Zhik, who spearheaded the charity event shared that the charity drive received good support from his fellow residents and senior doctors.
“The decision to collaborate with Make-A-Wish was a collective vote by our residents!" he shared.
“Since this charity event was held during the Christmas period, we all thought that it would be apt for us to come together for a good cause; to make the children's wishes come true."
“When (Dr) Juen Zhik approached me with this idea, I thought it was great," said Dr Muhammad Farhan Mohd Fadil, Programme Director (NHG Orthopaedic Surgery Residency), who was part of the cycling party.
“For the past few community days, we've tried different ways to engage the community (blood donation drive, virtual motivation workshop for children), so we thought we would try something new this year."
He shared that with adults forming the majority of patients that NHG orthopaedic surgeons treat, being able to do something for children is a meaningful way to give back to the community.
“We (also) thought it's a good idea for our residents and faculty from the three hospitals to come together to support this cause," Dr Farhan added.
When asked about the types of activities and communities that he hopes to see in future community days, Dr Chan said: “For me, (as long as) we can continue giving back to the society as one NHG (Khoo Teck Puat Hospital, Tan Tock Seng Hospital and Woodlands Health) and have a day out together, it will be an unforgettable event!"
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