PENANG, Wed: The parents of 10-month-old Looi Hong Weng from Ipoh are appealing for donations to pay for their child’s open-heart surgery at the Penang Adventist Hospital tomorrow.

The surgery, costing RM17,100, is being sponsored through the Gift of Life 2 programme, a community service by the Rotary Club of Penang and the hospital.

The child’s father, Looi Wam Lem, 36, has given 5,000 for the surgery.

Wam Lem, from Taman Seri Rapat, works as a mechanic at a bus company in Ipoh earning RM1,500 a month, while mother Kong Lin Thai is a housewife.

Hong Weng, an only child, was taken to a hospital in Ipoh about nine months ago, when it was discovered he had a hole in his heart.

Rotary Club of Penang president Michael Chen said that the Gift of Life 2 programme for babies up to 18 months old has benefited 14 Malaysians (including Hong Weng), 47 Cambodians, six Indonesians and one Filipino since last year.

He said the programme is short of funds, and appealed for donations so that they did not have to turn away any children in need of assistance.

Donations made out to The Rotary Club of Penang, Gift of Life 2 account can be sent c/o 7, Jalan Kelawei, or payable to the 'Heart Patients Fund' and addressed to the Penang Adventist Hospital, 465, Jalan Burma, 10350 Penang.