Charity campaign for patient supports is launched

Charity Campaign for Medical Support, Life Support and Long-Term 
Care is Launched   

A-Shien, a 41-year-old MS patient, who has been staying at home since MS first stroke him 20 years ago, lives with his 77-year-old mother in a small house. The only income of their family is the monthly social welfare subsidy from the county government so they can only survive. A-Shien's mother is elderly and she worries that she may no longer take care of her son anymore because she is also ill. Who's going to take care of A-Shien in the future? A-Shien said to us, "A man at my age should be taking care of his mother, instead of having his mother take care of him. I feel very sorry." 

Rare disease families like these face the reality that no one can help them as well as huge financial burden. They are ignored by social welfare system and the society. Furthermore, most rare diseases are progressive and will only continue deteriorating and many of the patients will end up lying in bed till the end of their lives. Sad stories like these are happening all the time. In order to ease the burden of rare disease families, TFRD has raised NT$4,280,000 exclusively for long-term care support in 2004. The money has been distributed on 62 patients with long-term care needs, on patient groups' activities and on medical equipments in the past two years. 

In order to continue our long-term care subsidy and broaden our service, starting from December, 2006, a more comprehensive fund raising campaign has been launched for patient's medical support, life support and long-term care. TFRD cooperated with famous singers Susie Chien, Mr. Zheng-Yang In and Taipei Male Choir and held a very successful Holy Night Concert as the start of the whole fund-raising program on 15 December 2006. Many famous enterprises showed their generosity as well, including Everlight Culture Foundation and Taipei Fubon Bank. Around 1,500 people gathered at Holy Family Catholic Church and enjoyed a wonderful night of music, joy and love. 

Through the support and love from the public, we can altogether make a difference to rare disease patients' lives and make them smile.