Man expresses gratitude to donors for daughter’s medical care.

MELAKA: Teo Hock Teng, 58, expressed his gratitude to the kind-hearted individuals who helped raise RM32,000 for his adopted daughter’s treatment at Kuala Lumpur Hospital (HKL). The girl, who has Down Syndrome, was diagnosed with thoracic scoliosis, a sideways curvature of the middle region of the spine. Teo, an odd-job worker, has struggled financially to cope with his daughter’s medical needs. After a brief cheque presentation ceremony at Taman Melaka Raya on August 8, Teo thanked the Tanjung Bidara Lions Club chairman Patric Chang and the club’s District 308 B1 governor, Alex Thiam Poh Ooi, for the “selfless gift of life.”

The Star highlighted Teo’s plight on July 19, and within a week, generous donors raised the necessary funds. Teo reflected on how he came to adopt the girl, sharing that he was immediately moved by her smile when he first saw her at Hospital Melaka 16 years ago. The girl was born out of wedlock to Teo’s neighbour in Bandar Hilir, and her father abandoned them both.

Hospital Melaka referred Teo’s daughter to an orthopaedic specialist at HKL, necessitating frequent trips and financial strain for Teo. The funds raised will enable Teo to cover the costs of his daughter’s appointments and access proper nutrition. He expressed eternal gratitude to the donors, referring to their efforts as a “selfless gift of life.”