Chinese Hospital is excited to announce a $250,000 matching gift challenge to benefit lung health. The Fong Family made a $125,000 grant and challenged the broader community to contribute a matching amount to raise a total of $250,000. The funds will be used to improve the quality of life in the Chinese community by increasing lung cancer awareness and promoting early detection of lung cancer.
This initiative was launched as Jack Lee Fong was given the “Outstanding Community Leader” award by Chinese Hospital. Mr. Fong has been a long-time member of Chinese Hospital’s Board of Trustees and has been a strong advocate for the Hospital’s growth and sustainability for many years.
Lung health is deeply important to Mr. Fong and his family, which is the reason they created the $250,000 matching challenge. Mr. Fong’s Family has been deeply affected by lung cancer. Joan Chen Fong, Mr. Fong’s daughter-in-law, died of lung cancer at age 59 and the discovery of her cancer was out of the blue with no warning signs.
In addition, the statistics about lung cancer are dire. Lung cancer is biggest cancer killer among Asian Americans, and the leading cause of cancer deaths worldwide, accounting for 25% of all cancer deaths. In the U.S., it causes more deaths than breast, prostate, and colon cancers combined. It is also a women’s health issue that causes approximately twice as many deaths as breast cancer. According to the American Cancer Society, it is estimated that there will be more than 236,000 Americans will be diagnosed with lung cancer in 2022, with a new diagnosis every 2.2 minutes.
However, if cancer is discovered early, it can be a game-changer for better survival and outcome. Early detection can reduce lung cancer mortality by 20%; the five-year survival rate for early-stage lung cancer is 60% compared to 5% in stage 4. Lung cancer screening is something that we should all consider and promote to avoid discovery by accident. Ask your doctor if you should be screened.
“If you have lungs, you can get lung cancer,” Ronnie Fong, Mr. Fong’s son stated. He mentioned his wife’s favorite Bible verse said, “Rejoice in the Lord always, Again I say rejoice.” “We have been richly blessed by God and wish to pay that forward,” said Ronnie.
Mr. Jack Lee Fong believes in giving back to the community to help one another and wishes everyone to have better health at the award ceremony. “Health First! Without good health, you have nothing!” said Mr. Fong.
Understanding the need and in partnership with the Fong Family, Chinese Hospital is creating a lung cancer screening program to help detect lung cancer in its early stages, along with improving patient outcomes and reducing mortality. This will include increasing the scope of patient screening and treatment, while also enhancing prevention and awareness efforts through lung health education and outreach.
“With this generous and smart gift challenge, Mr. Fong proves himself once again to be a leader and an astute businessman. We are grateful for his kind support and his many years of valuable guidance as a Chinese Hospital Board Member,” said Dr. Jian Zhang, Chinese Hospital CEO.
To contribute to the Fong Family Lung Health Matching Fund, please visit our donation page.
Media contact:
Jenni Lau
[email protected]
