To’ Puan Dr. Tsao Sui Lan Memorial Endowment Fund Launching Ceremony Dinner – Stars Twinkling in the Sky of Love
To’ Puan Dr. Tsao Sui Lan Memorial Endowment Fund Launching Ceremony Dinner.
Stars Twinkling in the Sky of Love
Monday, 21st May, 2018
Nation Progresses, Family Prospers. Family Harmony, Successful Endeavours.
To’ Puan Dr. Tsao Sui Lan Memorial Endowment Fund Launching Ceremony Dinner hosted by Sian Chay Medical Institution was held on 21st May at 7.30pm at Hotel Fort Canning. President of Singapore Republic, Dr Halimah Yacob , also Patron of Sian Chay Medical Institution, officially launched the To’ Puan Dr. Tan-Tsao Sui Lan Memorial Endowment Fund at the ceremony.
The Memorial Endowment Fund, named after To’ Puan Dr. Tan-Tsao Sui Lan, the beloved wife of Dato Dr. Tan Hian-Tsin, was a famous philanthropist and artist and JCI senator, will raise $20 million to support the low-income families referred by the MPS to receive free medical service at Sian Chay Medical Institution. Dato Dr. Tan Hian-Tsin pledged to donate the collection of finger paintings by his beloved wife, the late JCI Senator To’ Puan Dr. Tan-Tsao Sui Lan, as well as $2 million to support the launch of the Fund.
To’ Puan Dr. Tan-Tsao Sui Lan was born in Guangzhou, China and later emigrated to Singapore. She was a distinguished finger painting artist and was also famous in the field of Japanese flower arrangements, holding the highest teaching degree and most prestigious honour from Sogetsu School of Ikebana Flower Arrangement of Japan.
At the launching ceremony, Dato Sri Sean Wong, Organizing Chairman of To’ Puan Dr. Tan-Tsao Sui Lan Memorial Endowment Fund Launching Dinner, said, “We are so grateful to Sian Chay Medical Institution for initiating the To’ Puan Dr. Tsao Sui Lan Memorial Endowment Fund and for having us as Organising Chairpersons of such a meaningful event. The presence of our Guest-of-honour President Mdm Halimah, Patron of Sian Chay Medical Institution, for this launch ceremony has given us tremendous encouragement and has certainly inspired many of us to further promote the spirit of philanthropy and volunteerism.”
Our friendship with Dato’ Seri Dr. Toh Soon Huat, JP, BBM, PVPA, Chairman of Sian Chay Medical Institution and JCI Senator Dr. Benjie Ng, Executive Director of Sian Chay Medical Insitution and President of ASSEAN, has blossomed over the past three years, having worked together closely on numerous impactful projects. We look forward to the success of our “Beauty With A Purpose” Charity Banquet that will be held in September this year, to continue our fundraising efforts for the To’ Puan Dr. Tsao Sui Lan Memorial Endowment Fund.
Mr. Toh Soon Huat said, “Dr. Tan donated $2 million to support the Memorial Endowment Fund. And he humbly said that he just made a small gesture to support the charity. This donation is the largest individual donation ever received by Sian Chay Medical Institution. Everyone can contribute to charity, regardless of amount, within their means. There is no need to compare with others. It is admirable that for many years, Dr. Tan keeps a low profile and humble in doing good deeds without seeking for fame or fortune. He is certainly a role model for all of us to learn from.
We are also particularly grateful to our Guest-of-Honour tonight, President Mdm Haliamh, who visited the Marsiling branch to greet the residents during the renovation and operation period, to understand their health condition and to offer help and care, while giving Sian Chay a lot of support and encouragement, especially the guidance and advice on serving non-Chinese residents. It has made us the TCM organization serving the most non-Chinese residents in Singapore.
The society is progressing rapidly and the environment is changing greatly. The government is already trying its best to serve the people, and as a citizen, we should assist the Government and fulfil our civic duty and strength. Those with the money can give money and those with the strength can give strength. Do not fail to do good even if it is small. In the atmosphere of universal love and gratitude, please join us for charity, support charity and benefit the society.”
Mr. Jackson Tan , the eldest son of Dato’ Dr. Tan Hian-Tsin, addressed on behalf of his father, “When one dies, nothing can be taken away”, “It is more blessed to give than to receive. Sui Lan and I have been dedicated to helping others. Sian Chay established the Memorial Endowment Fund to support the poor patients and low-income families referred by Grassroots Advisers during the Meet-The-People Sessions. Hereby, I would like to express my sincere thanks to Sian Chay Medical Institution. My wife and I have been committed to helping others because we believe that “charity is the best responsibility, obligation, dedication and work in life”. We wish Sian Chay Medical Institution would achieve its mission—serving the communty regardless race, religion or nationality.
The Fund will be managed by a 4-member Management Committee chaired by Dato’ Seri Dr. Derek Goh, BBM, Chairman and Group CEO of Serial System Ltd and Chairman of ASSEAN Foundation. The other members of the Management Committee include Victor Wong, Presidential Adviser of ASSEAN and Past ASPAC Senate President (2010), Dr. Benjie Ng, President of ASSEAN and ASSEAN Foundation and Dato Sri Sean Wong, Secretary-General of ASSEAN.
Witnessed by the guests, Dato Dr. Tan Hian-Tsin handed over a $2 million cheque to Sian Chay Chairman Toh Soon Huat. To appreciate Dato Dr. Tan as well as to recognize his good deeds, Sian Chay appointed Dr. Tan Hian-Tsin as the Life Honourable Chairman. Sian Chay Medical Institution also presented the calligraphy work of the famous calligrapher Mr. Anthony Ho “The benevolence of a family will pass on to their offsprings, the accumulated virtues will benefit the public.”
To express the gratitude from Sian Chay for the President’s gracious presence and support, a portrait painting of the President and her husband by the famous artist , Ng Hui Fen, was presented to Mdm Halimah Yacob. The President was happy and touched when she saw the portrait.
Sian Chay Medical Institution is a voluntary welfare organization providing free Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) consultation and low-cost medication and treatment to the community. 15 branches under Sian Chay are serving over 1,200 patients daily and 4 wellness centres supported by Sian Chay are also serving over 10,000 residents yearly. In the next five years (2018-2022), the forecast is to serve 2.5 million patient visits with 4.8 million dosages of prescriptions. A donation of $10 can support one patient from low-income family to receive free consultation and medication.
Sian Chay has been adhering to the core values of “Forgiveness, Universal Love, Compassion, Gratitude and Blessing” and also integrated them into the daily conduct for everyone. Sian Chay promotes the belief that “From the society, For the society. To take care of the needy groups, with labour or money . Wishing everyone work together to contribute to charity cause with one’s own efforts.” Because we know that “Nation Progresses, Family Prospers; Family Harmony, Successful Endeavours. Forward with the Nation, Bonding with the People” can the society be a better one.”
Sian Chay has established the Pioneer Generation Medical Fund (PGMF) with the support of the Lee Foundation to fully subsidize the medical expenses of the Pioneer Generation seeking TCM consultations and treatments at Sian Chay TCM clinics. The generous donation of $3 million by Lee Foundation in the past 3 years (2014-2017) was able to support 300,000 patient visits by the Pioneer Generation at $10 per visit. This has in fact significantly impacted 300,000 families thus far.
Sian Chay has actively participated in community charity activities to promote health awareness and encourage healthy lifestyle activities. It also offers Chinese language courses for non-Chinese residents. At the same time, we have distributed leaflets in four languages so that the residents can learn about Sian Chay and benefit from Sian Chay’s services so that more non-Chinese people can understand Chinese culture. We can communicate with each other, interact with each other, share resources, and promote racial harmony, creating a harmonious society. Sian Chay has been widely recognized not only by the residents but also people from all walks of life, through the activities such as hiring professional hairdressers in each branch to offer haircut service for the elderly, inviting renowned teachers the conduct free art courses for the community, purchasing goodie bags etc.
During the dinner, a fascinating performance was brought by famous singers Allan Moo, JJ Lim, violinist Lina Wang , Guzheng youth player Yang Huicong，Xu Bei许蓓 and etc. Wang Hui and Nick Shen served as emcees and over 150 guests witnessed the launch of the Memorial Endowment Fund.