This is the 20th year of the treatment project “Children with Heart Disease” of the Salvation Army Korea Territory (Commander: Park Jong-deok). Over the past 20 years, the Salvation Army has helped 782 children inside and outside Korea to live new lives.
On July 22, Salvation Army Korea celebrated this history at Koreana Hotel, on Taepyeong-ro in Jung-gu, Seoul. Approximately 100 persons, including Commander Park Jong-deok (left in photo) and pro baseball player Yang Jun-hyeok (Public Relations Ambassador), participated in the event to extend congratulations for the 20-year project and to express gratitude for the complete cure of the 12 children who have been treated recently.
Commander Park said in his greeting, “Caring for and helping these little children, who were suffering from heart disease at birth, is indeed a noble ministry. As we cured 782 lives in 20 years, I hope to see more and better results for children around the world with heart disease.”
During the event, the Korea Salvation Army dedicated a plaque of gratitude to Director Kim Byeong-yeol (right in photo) of Dong Eui Seong Danwon Hospital. Dr. Kim was in charge of the first surgery of a child with heart disease in 1995, and has been part of the project ever since. In response, Kim said, “In 1995, I participated in the operation for Lee Seul-gi. She was just eight months old at the time. My relationship with Salvation Army started with this operation, and I think it was a turning point in my career as a medical doctor… As long as my health allows, I will continue this great relationship with Salvation Army, which I believe has been given us by God.”
In his congratulatory message, Elder Son Bong-ho, representative of Sharing Korea, expressed his special thanks to Salvation Army Korea and all the supporting organizations. He said, “My own daughter suffered from heart disease when she was little, and I do know the magnitude of agony of these children’s parents… At that time medical techniques were not as developed in Korea, so we had to constantly move her from one hospital to another, for four years. Now think about the parents of a child with heart disease in one of the developing countries. I hope our country continues this beautiful tradition of the past 20 years to help suffering children, so that we become the best country in the world in the sharing of love.”
Staff members and guides who brought children and their parents from other countries for heart operations also expressed their thanks in tears. Division Head Eom Hun-ok of the Red Cross Society of China, in Yanji, Jilin, China, said, “So far, with the help of Korea Salvation Army, 160 children with heart disease have been completely cured during the past 16 years. The parents have said that the day their children received the operation from Dr. Kim Byeong-yeol was their child’s second birthday. They expressed their sincere thanks.”
Pediatrician Dr. Bolormaa of Bayanzurkh District Hospital in Mongolia said, “There still are many children who suffer from congenital heart disease. We’re grateful for the support we have received so far, and would like to ask for your continuing interest in Mongolian children with heart disease.”
To date, Salvation Army Korea has sponsored heart operations for 477 children in Korea and 305 overseas children (160 from China, 61 from Mongolia, 49 from Cambodia, 17 from Kyrgyzstan, 10 from Vietnam, 7 from Russia, and 1 from the Philippines.).
Reporter Yang Minkyeong (grieg@kmib.co.kr), with Yeara Ahn-Park (yap@kmib.co.kr)
Photo by intern reporter Jun Ho-Kwang
Click here for the original article in Korean
Salvation Army Korea Celebrates 20 Years of Saving 782 Children from Heart Disease
2015-07-23 17:40
