Sadly, three-month-old Yoan Ivander Yogil never got into that rhythm. He was diagnosed with ventricular septal defect (VSD) and right coronary cusp prolapse, a serious condition that affects how blood flows through the heart.
VSD, a hole in the wall separating the heart’s chambers, forces the organ to work harder than normal. In Yoan’s case, it also made breathing and feeding difficult, leaving him easily exhausted.
Yoan’s parents recall how he struggled just to drink milk and would start gasping for air after just a few sips. As a result, he wasn’t gaining weight as he should.
“We never thought our baby would have to go through this,” they said. “Seeing him struggle just to drink milk or breathe really broke our hearts.”
Doctors advised that surgery could not be delayed: without intervention, the infant’s condition could worsen. But the RM80,000 cost for the procedure would place significant strain on his parents.
Yoan’s father, a renovation worker, has already used up all his savings on medical care, while his mother stopped working as a cleaner to look after him full-time.
“All we want is for him to have a chance to grow up healthy like other kids,” his mother expressed.
Due to the urgency of the situation, Yoan – who was born in Dengkil, Selangor – has already undergone the surgery and is back home recovering.
While this has brought some relief after months of uncertainty, with an outstanding debt of RM40,000, his family’s financial struggle remains.
To help them with fundraising, Yoan’s parents turned to Persatuan Kebajikan Sayap Kasih Malaysia (previously iq70plus), a non-profit organisation that supports underprivileged children in urgent medical need.
According to case worker Ben Wong, as of May 5, about half of the remaining amount has successfully been raised. The NGO hopes the full amount of RM40,000 will be attained through the generosity of the public.
Cases like Yoan’s highlight how quickly medical emergencies can overwhelm families without sufficient financial safety nets.
“They’ve used up all their savings and done everything they can, but the cost of the surgery is just too much for them to handle alone,” Wong noted.
“This is a burden no family should have to carry by themselves, especially when a child’s life is at stake.”
For Yoan, the focus is on recovery and about small progresses – feeding a little better, breathing a little easier, and slowly regaining strength.
It is hoped that, with continued support, he will be able to move beyond this difficult start and grow up like any other child.
If you wish to help, contributions can be made directly to Persatuan Kebajikan Sayap Kasih Malaysia, Ambank account 8881 0609 91545. Please reference ‘CASE 74’ or ‘Yoan’ in your transactions.
Email a copy of your receipt to [email protected], or send it via WhatsApp to Ben Wong at 010-238 7072.
For further information, visit Persatuan Kebajikan Sayap Kasih Malaysia’s Facebook profile.
Persatuan Kebajikan Sayap Kasih Malaysia
118 & 120 Jalan Gasing,
46000 Petaling Jaya, Selangor