PENANG, Wed: The patient 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 services by the Rotary Club of Penang and the hospital.

The child’s father, Looi Wan Lem, 36, has given RM5,00 for the surgery.

Wan Lem, from Taman Sri 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 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 baby up to 18 months old has benefited 14 Malaysians, (including Hong Weng), 47 Cambodians, six Indonesian and one Filipino since last year.

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

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