PENANG, Sun: Penang Adventist Hospital is organising a fancy dress walkathon (fancython) on Oct. 29 at the Jalan Scott field to raise money for its Heart Patients’ Fund.

Hospital president and CEO Teddric J. Mohr said the fund is vital as heart surgeries are very expensive to lower income group.

The fund, set up in 1988, had to date raised RM1.5 million and helped 158 patients to undergo heart surgery.

The fancython, themed Every step for a healthy heart, is expected to raise RM300,000 for the purpose.

"The demand for heart surgeries has increased over the years and to be able to help the needy, we need to expand our funds," Mohr told The Sun at the hospital premises in Jalan Burmah today.

"The fund is divided for international patients and Malaysians. The Cambodian children who underwent heart surgeries here were sponsored by a fund earmarked for them. Some people think we are using the local funds for foreign patients."

Meanwhile, fund chairman and event organiser Lim Chooi Eng said some 2,000 people are expected to take part in the 5km walk.

Those interested will first have to collect a minimum of RM30 through the hospital’s walkathon cards before they can qualify to walk.

Enquiries, call Ng Kah Yap at 04-2261133 ext. 1357 or Toe Oon Oon at ext. 1246. Walkathon cards are available from Tuesday onwards.