Anuar Zain wants to bring cheer to young heart patients with a fundraising concert, writes Dennis Chua
CROONER Anuar Zain is forever grateful to the staff at National Heart Institute (IJN) as they took good care of his father Zain Abdullah when the latter suffered a heart ailment several years ago. Zain recovered slowly and steadily in the caring hands of the doctors at the IJN in Jalan Tun Razak, Kuala Lumpur.
The Malacca-born singer said: “My father was seriously ill back then but with the world class treatment at IJN, he bounced back to health. He’s 76 now and is hale and hearty.”
Anuar, 44, wants to bring cheer to young heart patients with his fundraising show in December.
Titled Paediatric And Congenital Heart Centre (PCHC) Dinner Sempurnakan Aku With Anuar Zain, it will take place at the grand ballroom of The Majestic Hotel Kuala Lumpur.
“I often perform for the less fortunate, especially children, but this is my first team-up with the PCHC and IJN. We will raise funds for PCHC Fund which helps heart patients by providing for their basic necessities, particularly those from low income families,” he says.
“It’s an honour to serenade staff and friends of PCHC and IJN who have done so much for the wellbeing of the people. I will always be thankful to them for taking good care of my father during his illness.”
Anuar believes that local entertainers have a responsibility to bring cheer to the less fortunate and this includes youngsters with serious illnesses.
“I’ve always believed that happiness is the best gift we can give them” he says.
On his previous visits to IJN, Anuar met young patients with severe heart ailments and he was moved by their resilience.
“They were all cheerful and smiling. The doctors told me that they always did their best to keep young patients happy and positive-minded, with words of encouragement. Apart from visits from volunteers, the wards are also decorated with bright colours to brighten up the mood.”
Anuar will sing 15 songs, backed by six musicians led by an old friend, Lee Sze Wen, an accomplished pianist who doubles as the show’s music director.
“It’ll be a mix of old and new songs from my albums over the years. I’ll be focusing on songs about love, peace, joy and hope, in line with the theme, The Power Of Healing And Friendship,” says Anuar.
The showcase celebrates PCHC’s second anniversary and marks the launch of the PCHC Support Group under the patronage of Tun Dr Siti Hasmah Mohd Ali. It is aimed at providing moral support to the families of young heart patients and includes talks and counselling sessions on congenital heart ailments and how patients can cope with them.
The support group also organises fundraising activities for the corporate sector in aid of the PCHC.
Anuar launched his concert with a special visit to the IJN last month. He was accompanied by IJN chief executive officer Datuk Dr Azhari Yakub, PCHC head Dr Hasri Samion and the support group chairman Dr Marhisham Che Mood.
Paediatric And Congenital Heart Centre (PCHC) Dinner Sempurnakan Aku With Anuar Zain
When: Dec 5
Venue: Grand Ballroom, Majestic Hotel Kuala Lumpur
Time: 8pm-11pm
Tickets: RM500-RM1,000
Call 03-9222 8811