Director, producer, and actress Ngô Thanh Vân and artist Jun Pham attend the screening of the short film “Máy bay giấy” (Paper Plane) in HCM City on September 25. Photo courtesy of VinaCapital Foundation

HCM CITY — “Vết Sẹo Cuộc Đời 11” (Scar of Life 11), an annual charity auction and gala dinner to raise funds for disadvantaged children with congenital heart defects, will take place on November 23 at Gem Centre in HCM City.

This year, the programme will be led by artist Jun Pham, who has supported and worked with the project since its early days.

Having gone through a journey of over a decade with the 10 events organised under the leadership of director, producer, and actress Ngô Thanh Vân, the Scar of Life event has raised more than US$3 million, providing life-saving surgeries for a total of 2,768 disadvantaged children suffering from congenital heart defects.

Entering the 11th Scar of Life event, artist Jun Pham will take over the role of leading the programme.

Throughout his solo career, Jun has always dedicated his prizes and awards to supporting children with congenital heart defects through the Heartbeat Vietnam programme that supports 100 per cent of heart surgery costs for disadvantaged children who have congenital heart defects.

The screening of the short film “Máy bay giấy” (Paper Plane) directed by artist Jun Pham and held on September 25 kickstarted this year’s Scar of Life event.

The short film tells the story of two siblings suffering from congenital heart defects in a poor neighbourhood.

Through these paper planes, the children share their simple and pure dreams into the sky every day, hoping that someday, their dreams of having a healthy heart and a future can be fulfilled.

“Facing economic difficulties, fundraising has become much more challenging than before. Therefore, the Scar of Life project must continue its journey of calling for support and seeking assistance,” said director, producer, and actress Ngô Thanh Vân.

“We hope that kind-hearted individuals and sponsors will continue to accompany us to promptly bring heart surgeries to underserved children, helping their dreams become a reality,” Vân said.

“Every year, around 15,000 children in Việt Nam are born with congenital heart defects. About half of those births will require open heart surgery or intervention. Eighty-five percent of those children will pass away in their teenage years if their condition is left untreated," said Rad Kivette, Heartbeat Vietnam programme consultant.

Since its inception in 2006, the Heartbeat Vietnam programme has provided healthy hearts to more than 11,000 children, transforming not only the children’s lives but those of their families as well.

With matching funds from provincial government organisations and insurance coverage, the cost for a donor to cover a child’s heart surgery through Heartbeat Vietnam is just US$1,500, one-third of the average total cost of the operation of US$4,500. —VNS