14-year-old boy in Malaysia raises RM62,000 for palliative care NGO in honour of late father

MALAYSIA: A 14-year-old Malaysian boy, Tan Yao Sern, has raised RM62,000 (S$18,700) for Hospis Malaysia, a non-profit organisation that offers free palliative care services.

The initiative was launched in honour of his late father, who had been in a coma due to a brain aneurysm and received palliative care at home for over five years before passing away.

To mark the first anniversary of his father’s death and cope with his grief, Tan, a student at The British International School of Kuala Lumpur (BSKL), spearheaded the fundraiser titled Easing Life’s Final Journey – Hospis Malaysia.

The campaign ran from 24 September to 25 November, surpassing its initial target of RM25,000 (S$7,570) by more than double, thanks to Tan’s dedication and strong community support.

In a statement on the SimplyGiving platform, Tan shared that starting the fundraiser was something he never imagined doing but felt compelled to after the loss of his father.

“After losing my father, it felt like the right way to honour his memory,” he said.

Tan’s efforts included delivering speeches and participating in a charity bazaar at his school.

During a mock cheque presentation at a school assembly on 26 November, he reflected on his motivation to support the cause.

“I know how hard it is to take care of patients like my father,” he explained.

“When I found out that Hospis Malaysia provides these services for free, helping people who cannot afford them, I was touched, and that inspired me to start this fundraiser.”

Tan expressed appreciation for the funds raised, emphasising that it would help sustain vital palliative care services.

Transforming grief into healing

Throughout the campaign, Tan wrote heartfelt blog entries every two days about his father, sharing memories and reflecting on their bond.

“I wanted others to know about him and to remind those who knew him of the great person he was,” Tan explained.

The blog entries, along with contributions from Tan’s 12-year-old sister Hui Ern and a letter from their mother, Evelyn Boon, have been compiled into a book.

The family plans to share the book with donors as a token of appreciation.

Boon shared that Tan’s initiative had been a healing process for him.

Despite the challenges of balancing schoolwork, tuition, and extracurricular activities, he committed to blogging regularly.

She noted that writing helped him cope with the loss of his father, adding that he seemed “lighter” as he wrote more.

The experience was also a learning process for Tan.

He not only learned to heal himself and help others, but also gained a deeper understanding of people, particularly in how to reach out despite facing challenges and rejections.

Recognition from Hospis Malaysia and school leaders

Hospis Malaysia’s strategy and communications director, Tham Su Ming, expressed gratitude for Tan’s fundraising efforts, highlighting that the funds would support patient services and serve as a tribute to his father’s memory.

She commended Tan for raising awareness within his school community and ensuring that the funds would have a meaningful impact.

BSKL principal Dr Mike O’Connor also praised Tan for turning a challenging situation into a positive outcome.

“He has turned a difficult situation into something that will help him process and move through his grief, which was really challenging. But he decided to do something positive and help others. He’s really admirable, and we’re proud of him,” Dr O’Connor said.

Support and praise from donors

Tan’s fundraising campaign received widespread praise from donors, who left heartfelt messages on the SimplyGiving platform.

One donor commended his courage and dedication, calling his actions noble and impactful.

She described his blog as a lasting legacy that would continue to inspire others.

Another donor extended their condolences to Tan, recognising his efforts to honour his father’s memory through blogging and fundraising as both beautiful and inspiring.

They remarked that his father would be proud of him and commended him for reaching his target while sharing touching stories about his father.

One donor highlighted how Tan’s strength and compassion keep his father’s memory alive.

They described his initiative as a beautiful and noble way to honour his father and expressed admiration for his ability to inspire others.