Little Cancer Warrior Finally Return Home
In August last year, 14-year-old Wayne was diagnosed with stage 3 lymphoma, requiring four chemotherapy cycles in six months. Each treatment exhausted both mother and son, prompting Wayne’s mother to leave her full-time job to care for him. Yet illness only strengthened their bond as they faced the challenge together.
Wayne followed medical advice strictly, minimizing infection risks and aiding his recovery. While the introverted boy preferred his own space, his mother spent more time at RMHC Hong Kong, her “sanctuary” with clean facilities and a kitchen to prepare nutritious meals.
“The worst is over! We just needed to persevere,” Wayne’s mother maintained optimistically. During eight-month stay,she cherished RMHC’s supportive environment: “We built a small community here. Families shared caregiving experiences because we walked the same path.” Neighbors exchanged practical tips and supplies, making their medical journey less lonely.
“Dreams” Illuminate the Lives of Ill Children
” A Happy family fosters a Happy child, which in turn contributes to a Happy recovery.” — Dr. Ken Wong
The mission of Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC) is to provide essential services that remove barriers, strengthen families, and promote healing when children need healthcare. This mission resonates deeply with our supporters and partners, creating a united effort to bring hope and care to families in need. One such dedicated partner is Million Hearts Charity Services (Million Hearts), which has, for two consecutive years, raised HKD 200,000 through their charity event to support RMHC Hong Kong, enabling ill children and their families has what they need to ensure the best health outcomes.
A Childhood Experience That Shaped a Lifetime of Giving
Dr.Ken Wong, the founder of Million Hearts, has been involved in community service since his high school years. Through various volunteer activities, he encountered many underprivileged families and children, witnessing firsthand the joy of a child receiving a simple toy and the happiness of a struggling family receiving essential supplies to celebrate the Mid-Autumn Festival. These experiences left a lasting impression on him, instilling in him the belief that small acts of kindness can create significant change.
Beyond charity work, these experiences opened his eyes to the pressing social inequalities that demanded attention. For Dr. Wong, philanthropy transcends mere acts of helping others; it is about fostering a more compassionate and equitable society.
Building a Team with a Shared Mission
As Dr. Wong gained more life experience, he developed a deeper understanding of charitable work and realized he could use his abilities to contribute to society. In 2022, Dr. Wong joined forces with a group of like-minded friends to establish ” Million Hearts Charity Services “. This team of around 25 individuals, hailing from diverse industries, came together with a shared belief. Their goal was clear: to provide support and assistance to underprivileged children and their families through charitable activities and fundraising. However, starting a charity is never easy. Team members had to balance their charitable responsibilities with their busy work, and disagreements often arose during meetings. Yet, they always prioritized their charitable mission, respecting each other’s unique skills and perspectives, and worked together to overcome challenges. As Dr. Wong said, “As long as we remember our original intention, we will maintain the motivation to collaborate and continue striving toward our goals.”
Walking Together with Ill Children and Their Families
At RMHC Hong Kong, we provide temporary accommodation and support services for families with ill children, ensuring that children undergoing treatment have a “home away from home.” This resonates deeply with Million Hearts, as they believe that ” A happy family fosters a happy child, which in turn contributes to a happy recovery. “Recognizing this shared vision, Million Hearts chose RMHC Hong Kong as one of the beneficiaries of their major charity event, supporting ill children and their families through both financial donations and public awareness efforts.
Empowering Dreams, Breaking Barriers
The event was a celebration of love and hope. Runners took to the Tseung Kwan O Cross Bay Link not only to challenge themselves but also to support children in need. The event attracted teams from China, Singapore, Taiwan, Malaysia, and beyond, with over 1,100 runners using their footsteps and hearts to light up the future for ill children. This event not only allowed participants to experience the profound meaning of “charity without borders, friendship without distance” but also gave many underprivileged children their first opportunity to take part in such a grand occasion. Witnessing the breathtaking scenery firsthand inspired them to dream of infinite possibilities for their futures. “Through this event, we hope to teach children that dreams have no distance and no limits,” says Terry Mok, Program Development Committee & Chairman.
Moving Forward, Bringing Dreams Closer
Through this charity event, Million Hearts and RMHC Hong Kong have joined hands to bring hope and change to ill children and their families. Looking ahead, Dr. Wong hopes to continue collaborating with us, raising awareness and ensuring that children battling illnesses can still chase their dreams.
Some photos provided by “Million Hearts Charity Services”.
Together, We Run
The Standard Chartered Hong Kong Marathon is one of the most anticipated events in the city, bringing together professional athletes and the wider community in a celebration of endurance and perseverance. In the first quarter, RMHC HK had the honor of being chosen as one of the beneficiaries of the Charity Marathon Programme. Besides receiving charity race entries for fundraising, we also participated in the first-ever Marathon Expo.
We connected with runners and engaged with the public by inviting them to follow us on social media at our booth. To deepen the public’s impression of us, we provided our iconic patterns for them to customize their race tees, along with an instant photo. Beyond interacting with runners, we also took this valuable opportunity to network with other charitable organizations, strengthen our ties within the industry, and explore potential collaborations with various corporate partners.
We extend our sincere gratitude to the event organizers for allowing us to share the mission and goals of Ronald McDonald House Charities at this prestigious event, which saw an impressive 74,000 runners.
Star-Studded Charity Music and Gaming Event
At Ronald McDonald House, families from different backgrounds come together with a goal—to support their children in battling illness. We hope to create a harmonious and supportive atmosphere, allowing beneficiaries to feel love and strength during difficult times. To celebrate the festive of Christmas, we organized a joyful charity party, using music- the universal language to create unforgettable and heartwarming memories for our House families.
Renowned singers Ivana Wong, Kay Tse, and Louis Cheung have been long-time supporters of the Ronald McDonald House Charities. They have visited the House multiple times to encourage the children and their families. In celebration of the grand opening of Kwun Tong House, the three close friends came together for the first time to support our event, bringing joy to the families while raising funds for us.
With an unplugged guitar in hand, they spread warmth by a heartfelt performance of Christmas classics,. Their soulful voices not only filled the House with happiness and energy but also delighted the fans who joined the event. Ivana shared emotionally: “It is truly an honor to bring joy to the families of Ronald McDonald House accompanying with my dear friends. We hope this event allows everyone to feel the warmth and happiness of the festive season.”
Beyond music, the party was packed with interactive activities such as treasure hunts, ball games and dancing. A charity booth was also set up, offering Christmas cookies, gifts and souvenirs. Both children and adults had a fantastic time. More importantly, everyone gets closer together, the families feel the care and support of the community. We extend the heartfelt gratitude to our generous sponsors, including Swire Properties, HEXXA, Lego, Sham Sham Development and e-banner, for donating over a hundred gifts, ensuring that every participant received a special Christmas blessing.
As the evening drew to a close, the three singers joined Ms. Grace Fung Oei, RMHC Global Board of Trustees and RMHC Hong Kong Chairperson, in a cake-cutting ceremony, marking a perfect ending to an event attended by nearly 150 guests. “This is my third time visiting Ronald McDonald House, and I am deeply touched by the families’ resilience and positivity each time. Let’s continue to spread love and support, and I wish all the children good health and happiness!”
Celebrity New Year Visit
We understand that supporting children battling illness and their families requires more than just a comfortable environment. A house with energy and love is equally important. We frequently invite celebrities and individuals from various sectors to visit our houses, boosting the confidence and morale of children and their families by providing encouragement and interaction.
Before the Lunar New Year, actress Natalie Tong, accompanying with the renowned local media team am730, visited our Kwun Tong House. Together, they crafted festive decorations and distributed gifts to children and parents, bringing them warmth and joy during this season of reunion.
Last year, Natalie took on a new role as the owner of a popular bakery. Despite her busy schedule, she made time to visit, a gesture rooted in a bond formed years ago. “I remember it was an open day, probably more than ten years ago. I was a guest and after learning about the mission of RMHC, I started visiting regularly as a volunteer,” she shared. Over the years, Natalie has not only volunteered frequently to encourage children undergoing treatment, but she has also become a donor. Additionally, she has mobilized her official fan club to join her in giving back, providing comprehensive support for us.
During this visit, Natalie had a heartfelt reunion with Rachel, a child she had previously supported. “The last time I visited the (Sha Tin) House, I met Rachel. She was eager to learn to walk again after her illness. She even took the initiative to fundraise for the house during the pandemic. I really wanted to help her when I heard about it,” Natalie recalled. Now, Rachel has become one of our love companions. She crafted a handmade gift and came to the house to present it to Natalie, as a token of gratitude for her support over the years.
We sincerely thank Natalie for using her influence to raise awareness for children and families in need, as well as the am730 team for their continued support. Ray Lee, CEO of the am730 Charity Fund, has also promised to collaborate on more events in the future, ensuring that our house remains a “home away from home” for families facing difficult times.
