A persistent prompting to do more to help disadvantaged medical students was one of the main motivations behind Dr Ong Eng Kang initiating this legacy donation. Prior to the launch of this campaign on our donation portal at Giving.sg, we at SMA Charity Fund (SMACF) had held many fruitful discussions with Dr Ong since he first approached us with an offer to do more in support of our beneficiaries.
When it was finally decided to launch the SMA-Mdm Lee Na Na Medical Students' Assistance Fund (MSAF) campaign, we met with Dr Ong to gather some insights as to how this inspirational project came about.
Dr Ong has been a long-time donor to the SMACF, but as he progressed in his career, he shared that there was always this nagging thought that he could do more. When he found out that we had other legacy donors on the Giving.sg donation portal, it triggered a call to action for him. This also reminded him of his late mother, Mdm Lee Na Na, who was also financially disadvantaged during her time as a student. Mdm Lee sadly passed away in 1989 in the prime of her life. Her passing was sudden, and saddened her family and all who knew her. Dr Ong hopes that through this initiative, more students can benefit from the funds raised so as to allow them to focus on their studies. He also hopes that more like-minded donors can come forward to initiate their own legacy donation campaigns as a meaningful way to remember their loved ones.
Dr Ong also shared that he was further motivated by the Government's announcement of the dollar-for-dollar matching grant support for charities at this year's Budget speech, delivered in parliament by Finance Minister Lawrence Wong. With this in mind, Dr Ong has thus committed to rally friends, associates and family to raise at least $25,000 in support of five medical students this academic year. Should this target be met, it would mean that the campaign, through the matching grant, will be able to support a total of ten disadvantaged medical students from our three local medical schools: NUS Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, Duke-NUS Medical School and NTU Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine.
Given that the campaign is scheduled to end by 30 September 2022, Dr Ong would like to appeal for your support.
"I am motivated to support financially disadvantaged medical students in memory of my mother, who was a financially disadvantaged student herself, as well as recognising my privileged position as a doctor.
Through my journey in life, I am discovering that 'the secret to living is giving' and 'it is not just what we get, but who we become, and what we contribute that gives meaning to our lives'.
As I strengthen my giving muscles on charitable causes close to my heart, I invite you to join me on this meaningful and empowering path of contribution."
Finally, Dr Ong had these words of advice for our future doctors: "Cultivate even more passion and higher purpose during your lifelong journey in being a doctor."
To support the SMA-Mdm Lee Na Na MSAF campaign, visit the link or scan QR code below.
https://tinyurl.com/yckn92ca
