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| ▲ This photo, provided by Lee Young-ae, shows the actor donating 100 million won to the Ambulance Wish Foundation, Korea. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap) |
SEOUL, May 2 (Yonhap) -- Actor Lee Young-ae donated 100 million won to help children who are unable to go outside due to childhood cancer or rare diseases.
Lee visited the Ambulance Wish Foundation, Korea’s office in Yangpyeong County, Gyeonggi Province in April. 30 and delivered the 100 million won to its chief pastor, Song Gil-won, according to the foundation, Monday.
The Ambulance Wish Foundation, Korea is an organization that fulfills the wishes of terminally ill patients. The foundation takes patients who suffer mobility difficulties to the beach, concerts, museums, and places they’ve wanted to go to through an ambulance.
Recently, the foundation decided to expand the scope of volunteer work to children with childhood cancer and rare diseases and has been looking for special ambulance vehicles for children for them to transport comfortably.
Just in time, Lee, who heard about the foundation’s activities, expressed her desire to help young patients go on an outing, and then the donation was made.
Lee shared her thoughts about the donation by saying, “Our previous generation helped us to create a better world. So shouldn't we give back to the world and community we live in?”
Lee added, “It’s not like I’m going to be carrying my fortune. The more we share, the more beautiful the world is going to be.”
With Lee’s donation, the foundation will set up ambulances for young patients. They plan to install necessary facilities such as chairs suitable for young patients inside the 15-passenger van secured in advance.
Also, the van will be decorated so that two or three young patients can use toys and books while riding with their parents. A screen will also be installed for the patients to watch video content.
The outside of the vehicle is designed new with a kangaroo drawing received by the talent donation by Kang Woo-hyun, CEO of Tamnara Republic.
Pastor Song said in a phone call with Yonhap News Agency on May 1st, “After two months, we will be able to use the ambulance for children to go out on outings,” adding, “This is the first children-only ambulance in the world for young patients.”
The Ambulance Wish Foundation, Korea, which was launched in November last year, holds outings with the help of volunteers from the Salvation Army, former and current firefighters, and medical staff. Former Supreme Court Justice Kim Shin is the chairman of the board.
(This article is translated from Korean to English by An Hayeon.)
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