Fill Me In
The pandemic has hit hard most industries and its workers, and the healthcare industry is no different. Similar to charities adversely affected and struggling to stay afloat, patients are still in desperate need of subsidies and research programmes continue to require funding to transform care.
At the National Neuroscience Institute (NNI), Singapore’s national specialist centre for neurological conditions, hope for patients and healthcare professionals are kept alive through the NNI’s fundraising arm, NNI Fund.
Neurodegenerative diseases on the rise
NNI, also the regional centre of care for the brain, spine, nerve and muscle, is part of the SingHealth group. They care for close to 80% of Singapore’s patients with neurological conditions like dementia, stroke, Parkinson disease, and brain tumour. These conditions may cause a loss in control of bodily functions and even memory loss, or both.
Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in the world, followed by cancer. The World Health Organisation predicts that neurodegenerative diseases such as dementia and Parkinson’s disease will overtake cancer by 2040.
In support of neurosciene patient care
NNI Fund serves to support neuroscience patient care, research, and education.
Through funding received, the centre is able to delve into ground-breaking research and education in neuroscience to improve health outcomes. It also reaches the ground level where needy patients receive subsidies to relieve them from financial worries and can be provided mobility equipment to help NNI patients earn a living, on top of bridging areas of unmet needs.
For patients inflicted with diseases and their caregivers
Mr Siva’s* wife is one such recipient of the NNI Fund. Suddenly collapsing at home one day five years ago, it was revealed that she has an autoimmune disease, robbing her of control in speech and movements. This resulted in a three-month hospitalisation period which Mr Siva considers “one of the toughest moments” of his life. He was at work when he heard news of his wife’s collapse.
He shares, “I became the sole breadwinner and was worried as I had to make sure my family had food to eat. […] My wife had to take a lot of medicine in the following months, and it was expensive. She is now well because we could pay for the medication with help from the NNI Fund. I can say this with confidence, that my wife could only have survived because of the NNI Fund.”
The Hope Hamper Draw
In a bid to raise much needed funds and bring hope to patients and healthcare researchers, the centre has organised ‘One Heart, One Mind’ Hope Hamper Draw in time for the New Year.
From now until 28 December, the public can make a minimum donation of $4 to stand a chance to win a hamper worth $80 and more. The draw for the winners will be conducted on 29 December and winner will be notified on 30 December to collect their prizes between 4 to 9 Jan 2021.
Donations are to be made via PayNow or giving.sg to receive a chance in the hamper draw. There are 160 hampers up for grabs, which include a grand prize of a Dolce Gusto Coffee Machine with Eco Treats worth $255.
For more information on the draw and how to donate, please visit NNI’s website.
*Name changed to protect privacy
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