June 1, the charitable donation ceremony for the third round of the "SMIC's Liver Transplant Program for Children" by Semiconductor Manufacturing International Limited ("SMIC") is held in Renji Hospital. At the donation ceremony, SMIC join 23 companies from their industry to donate 2,762,500 yuan to China Soong Ching Ling Foundation for "SMIC's Liver Transplant Program for Children". Party Secretary of Shanghai Jiao Tong University Sixian Jiang, Chairman of SMIC Zixue Zhou, Honorary Chairman of SMIC Wenyi Zhang, Chief Executive Officer and Executive Director of SMIC Dr. Tzu-Yin Chiu, Vice Chairman of China Soong Ching Ling Foundation Dunquan Jing, Party Secretary of Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine Dalin Sun, Dean of Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine Affiliated Renji Hospital Weiping Li, Party Secretary of Renji Hospital Bingliang Cai and other leaders together with representatives of 23 donate units from electronic technology industry attend the ceremony.
According to Qiang Xia, Vice President and Director of Department of Liver Surgery in Renji Hospital, more than 10,000 infants and young children die each year from congenital biliary liver diseases in China. In most cases a liver transplant is the only way to save them. However, many families cannot afford the expensive treatment and lose their only chance to save their child. This is why in April 2013, SMIC set up a liver transplant program to help save the lives of these children. Every year SMIC has pledged to donate 2 million yuan to the China Soong Ching Ling Foundation which is put towards funding liver transplants at Renji hospital. In the past three years, SMIC has donated a total of 6 million yuan and has helped 72 children from around China to get medical treatment.
This year is not only the 10th year for the "new liver baby" returning to Renji to celebrate “June 1”, but also the third year for implement of the "SMIC's Liver Transplant Program for Children". With the growing degree of social concern, 23 SMIC-related upstream and downstream partners also actively join the ranks of charitable donations. "We are extremely pleased that we can help the patient children who need urgent help. We feel so gratified to see the happiness we have brought back to them and their families," said Chairman of SMIC Zixue Zhou, "SMIC's Liver Transplant Program for Children is a charity work of the company's long term commitment. The company will continue to take on more social responsibilities at the same time of progressing forward steadily. It is also worth mentioning that this year our partners are interested in being involved with the liver transplant program. We are really happy that SMIC join our counterparts hand in hand, to influence more individuals, groups and companies to take part in careers which can make contributions to society." It is reported that, in addition to the regular donations each year, SMIC also continue to care for the healthy development of the children who have benefited from the "SMIC's Liver Transplant Program for Children". By the end of 2013, executives from the company have been visiting the children and their families, understanding their rehabilitation after surgery, and sending care and blessing on behalf of the company.
Party Secretary of Shanghai Jiao Tong University Sixian Jiang said in his speech, SMIC's involvement with social philanthropy has established a model of promoting social mutual aid spirit. He expressed heartfelt thanks to them because they and the highly skilled surgery team at Renji hospital have together brought new hope and life to the patient children. WeiPing Li from Renji hospital came to pay tribute to SMIC for their involvement to fund children from impoverished background in need of liver transplant surgery for 3 consecutive years and their work in actively promoting the charity program
During the ceremony, paintings made by the child delegates who had recovered from the liver transplant were presented to SMIC and its partners, as well as the Soong Ching Ling Foundation representatives and medical staff. The children wanted to express their desire for life and a vision for a better future, meanwhile giving thanks for help from the doctors and society.
(Correspondent Xuefei Ren / Translator Weiwei Zhang)