With the participation of nearly 300 guests, the 11th Scar of Life event took place on the evening of November 23, 2024, in Ho Chi Minh City, successfully raising $300,000 through the auction of over 80 items and direct donations from generous supporters. Led by artist Jun Phạm, Scar of Life 11 has created the opportunity for life-saving heart surgeries for 200 children with congenital heart disease, offering them the hope of a brighter and healthier future.
The Scar of Life 11 Gala Dinner, themed “Shape of Dreams,” has concluded, bringing the total number of children with congenital heart defects sponsored for surgery by the Scar of Life project to 200 children. This is the first time that artist Jun Phạm has taken on the leading role for the project, continuing the passion for children with congenital heart defects inspired by his mentor – director, producer, and actress Ngo Thanh Van. Ngo Thanh Van initiated the Scar of Life awareness and fundraising event more than 10 years ago.
At the fundraising gala dinner, artist Jun Pham and singer (S)TRONG Trong Hieu performed a duet of “Sau lưng bố” (Behind Father’s Back), a song composed by Jun Pham to praise the silent sacrifices of parents who have tirelessly strived for a better future for their children. This also reflects the image of parents with children suffering from congenital heart defects who tirelessly seek treatment for their children. Singer Thu Phuong, also born with congenital heart defects, attended the event and sang to send the children a message of love and hope.
Through three exciting and emotional auction rounds, miracles of healing for children with congenital heart defects continued to unfold. The painting “Shape of Dreams” created exclusively for Scar of Life 11 by French artist Jérôme Peschard helped save 6 children. In particular, the painting “Tu Phu” by Le Dinh Nghien, the last artisan of the Hang Trong folk painting village, was donated and auctioned by artist Jun Pham. With intricate brushstrokes on “dó” paper, the painting attracted much attention and successfully raised a total of 300,000 USD, providing the opportunity for surgery for 200 children.
“I am extremely happy and honored from the bottom of my heart to be entrusted with the new role as an ambassador for Scar of Life. Scar of Life has been on a journey for over 10 years. Along that journey, many children who have undergone surgery have grown up, matured, and become parents. Those are true stories, the shapes of dreams that have been drawn thanks to the joining hands of compassionate hearts. Just one heart can create a miracle for future generations, and I hope to contribute to the further development of Scar of Life,” shared artist Jun Pham – Ambassador of Scar of Life.
“After a 2-year hiatus due to financial difficulties, Scar of Life has returned to bring the best things to children with congenital heart disease. Doing charity is not simply about giving; it allows us to experience wonderful things and miracles in life for ourselves. When we give love, we will receive incredibly sacred and miraculous values – that is to witness the miracles of life when small hearts are revived and bring joy to a whole family,” shared director, producer, and actress Ngo Thanh Van. The funds raised from the gala will be allocated by the Vietnam Children’s Fund Social Enterprise’s Scar of Life program to sponsor heart surgeries for poor children across the country, helping them become healthy enough to realize their dreams.
The successful event was thanks to the companionship and support of domestic and international donors, including Ngo Thanh Van, Jun Pham, VinaCapital Investment Firm, Brook and Rebecca Taylor, Vietnam Access America, Redsun Capital Vietnam Co., Ltd, Austin Home Interiors, Hoiana Resort & Golf, Thai Son Nam Trading Co., Ltd., Khang Dien House Joint Stock Company, Lam Tran Import & Export Trading Co., Ltd., Amanoi, Six Senses Ninh Van Bay, CDC Home Design Center, Mia Saigon, Mia Resort Nha Trang, artist Jerome Peschard, Mrs. Lưu Ngọc Lan, Lapola Jewelry, The Grand Ho Tram, Fusion Original Saigon Centre, Fusion Resort & Villas Da Nang, Fusion Resort Cam Ranh, Fusion Suites Vung Tau, artist Ho Hong Linh, ChanChan Noodle, Olive House, Emeralda Resort Ninh Binh, Emeralda Resort Tam Coc, Alba Wellness Valley by Fusion, Grace Skincare Clinic, Hiive Bình Dương 1, Hilton Saigon, JW Marriott Phu Quoc, Ly Gia Vien, Maia Resort Quy Nhon, Meraki Medi Spa, Mövenpick Hanoi, Novotel Saigon, Pernod Ricard, Sofitel Metropole Hanoi, The Ocean Resort by Fusion Quy Nhon, The Ocean Villas Danang, Villa San Bali, Vietnam Institute of Psychology, Wendelbo, L&M Luxury Timepieces, Qhome from Lladró, fashion designer Mai Lam, artist Hoang Oanh, artist Lam Son Than, artist Phuong Gisz, Salon De Lux, Vietnam Moving, Mrs. Đức Hạnh, Mrs. Thu Nguyễn VinaCapital, Mrs Linh Vu VinaCapital together with many other organizations and individuals.
In this challenging economic period, providing critical medical assistance for disadvantaged children with congenital heart defects has become even more urgent. Every performance, every message, and every moment of the program conveyed messages to the audience’s hearts, arousing love and empathy for the less fortunate. That is also the message that the Scar of Life wants to send to the community, to join hands and create miracles so that children can see the shape of their dreams in a healthy and bright future.
