The Singapore Heart Foundation (SHF), proudly celebrated its 55th anniversary today, reaffirming its unwavering commitment to preventing and reducing disability and death due to cardiovascular disease and stroke. At a celebration event that was held at the National Gallery Singapore on Sunday, 6 April 2025, SHF also recognised the resilience and commitment of those who walked the 55-year journey together with the Foundation on its mission to promote better heart health in Singapore.
Themed “Resilient HeARTs: Celebrating 55 Years of Empowering Heart Health”, the event was graced by Guest of Honour, Minister for Health, Mr Ong Ye Kung, who visited the various exhibits showcasing SHF’s pioneering programmes and initiatives that have had a profound impact in promoting heart health and raising awareness throughout the nation.
Since its founding in 1970 by a group of passionate cardiologists and professionals, SHF has been leading the charge against heart disease within the community, through its three core pillars of Prevention, Rehabilitation and Resuscitation.
Professor Tan Huay Cheem, Chairman of SHF, delivering a welcome speech at the SHF 55th Anniversary Celebration Event, themed Resilient heARTS.
“From the launch of Singapore’s first National Heart Week in 1972 to the introduction of Asia’s first female manikin vest for CPR training, SHF has always been evolving to address the challenges of an ever-changing heart health landscape in Singapore,” said Professor Tan Huay Cheem, Chairman of SHF. “As we celebrate our 55th anniversary today, we pay tribute to the resilience of not only those who helped build a heart-healthier nation together with us, but also that of cardiac arrest survivors and our Heart Wellness Centre clients who relentlessly fight back at heart disease.”
55 Years of Positive Impact on the Community
Prevention has always been at the core of SHF’s mission. Over the past 55 years, the Foundation had braved numerous challenges, such as the low education levels of some Singaporeans and limited resources, to spread its heart disease prevention messages. Through its resilience, SHF has made significant contributions to raising public awareness of cardiovascular disease and stroke in Singapore over the years.
From large-scale public events to targeted educational initiatives to engage school children and the visually impaired, SHF has constantly spearheaded strategic and innovative methods to spread its heart health messages. A total of 727,916 individuals gained valuable heart health knowledge through the Foundation’s public education efforts over the course of the year, ending 31 March 2024.
Innovation Drives Prevention
SHF is currently running flagship preventive education initiatives such as the BP Initiative @ Schools and the BP Initiative @ Community, BP Awareness Kiosk, Salt Taste Threshold Test, as well as the newly launched CardioChase Game Kiosk.
A SHF 55th Anniversary Celebration Event participant trying their hand at the CPR Self-Learning Kiosk.
The CardioChase Game Kiosk, featuring SHF’s mascots Hugo and Sandy, is a highly interactive motion-sensing game that took 11 months to develop and is designed to educate primary and secondary school students about the importance of a heart-healthy lifestyle and a healthier diet. The game kiosk is to be introduced in schools from the third quarter of 2025.
“The CardioChase Game Kiosk represents our initiative to gamify educational efforts and engage the public in heart health,” said Mr. Geoffrey Ong, CEO of SHF. “We believe that by creating a fun and educational experience, we can inspire lasting heart-healthy habits and choices, ultimately helping to build resilience in future generations of Singaporeans.”
Dedication Drives Rehabilitation
A steadfast partner in the rehabilitation journey of heart patients, SHF is a source of warmth and guidance for its cardiac rehabilitation clients on the road to an improved quality of life after cardiovascular disease. Through its comprehensive rehabilitation programme, SHF has empowered thousands of individuals to reclaim their health, vitality and mobility.
In 2004, SHF established its first community-based cardiac rehabilitation centre, offering the Heart Wellness Programme to help heart patients in Phases 3 and 4 of their cardiac rehabilitation at a highly subsidised rate of 95%, with clients paying only $5 per session. The programme is also for at-risk individuals with health conditions like diabetes, high blood pressure, or high cholesterol.
A family at the SHF 55th Anniversary Celebration Event creating an art piece together at the “Soft Tissue, Hard Design” Workshop.
Currently, SHF operates three HWCs island-wide: Fortune Centre, Bukit Gombak Sports Hall, and Junction 8 Office Tower, serving 3,105 clients as of 31 March 2024.
Client Spotlight:
Mrs Patricia de Souza, 77, who underwent heart surgery in late 2022, credits SHF’s Heart Wellness Centre @ Gombak for her recovery. “The dedication of the SHF Team and the rapport amongst fellow participants truly encouraged, guided and empowered me.”
Financial Aid for Needy Heart Patients
For patients requiring more than rehabilitation support, SHF offers the Heart Support Fund (HSF), which provided assistance to 300 individuals in FY ending 31 March 2024.
Beneficiary Spotlight:
Mr Rahmat Bin Mohamed, 65, received over $5,000 from SHF to cover part of his $36,000 Endovascular Hybrid surgery. “The financial assistance allowed me to focus on my treatment and recovery,” said Mr Rahmat.
Building a Nation of Lifesavers
A participant from SHF 55th Anniversary Celebration Event creating an art piece at the Artistic Crafting Workshop.
Resuscitation, one of SHF’s core pillars, is realised through the Heart Safe Initiative (since 2007), which has trained thousands in CPR and AED use. In the year ending 31 March 2024 alone, 8,461 individuals received training.
Key efforts include:
Celebrating 55 Years of Resilience
The celebration at National Gallery Singapore featured the Resilient heARTs exhibition – 55 artworks by stakeholders, patients, survivors, and staff.
Participants from the SHF 55th Anniversary Celebration Event posing for a photo at the Artistic Crafting Workshop booth.
Hands-on booths like the BP Awareness Kiosk and CardioChase Game Kiosk reinforced heart health knowledge.
The event concluded with a Mandarin dialogue session “Building Tomorrow with Heart and Resilience” hosted with Fortune Times, featuring SHF’s Prof Tan Huay Cheem, Dr Wu Wei, and Ms Mei Reading.
Interactive art stations included:
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Moss Photo Frame (Movement for the Intellectually Disabled of Singapore)
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“Soft Tissue, Hard Design” (Singapore Association for Mental Health)
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Sustainable Urban Farming (Everything Green)
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Artistic Crafting (Mr Patrick Yee)
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Heartfelt Memento (Ms Elisa Liu)
Join SHF in Building a Heart-Healthy Singapore
SHF invites the public to celebrate through the SHF Charity TV Show ‘Resilient Hearts’, airing 29 June 2025, 7–10pm on Mediacorp Channel 8.
🔗 More info: https://shf55.myheart.org.sg/
