United in Healing little Hearts

25 October 2025

KUALA LUMPUR: In a heartfelt display of compassion, purpose, and partnership, Pantai Hospital Kuala Lumpur (PHKL) and Shangri-La Kuala Lumpur have come together once more for their annual paediatric cardiac charity initiative, "Embracing the Gift of Life, Healing Little Hearts Together." This significant event marked the second year of collaboration between the two institutions, united by a shared mission to give children born with congenital heart disease a second chance at life.

Erica Lam, CEO of PHKL, and Daniel Kaeflein, General Manager of Shangri-La Kuala Lumpur, attended the mock cheque presentation ceremony, celebrating another milestone in the PHKL–Shangri-La partnership dedicated to supporting children with congenital heart conditions.

The event, held at PHKL’s auditorium, was officiated by Erica Lam and Daniel Kaeflein, alongside corporate partners, medical professionals, and members of the media.

“When we embarked on this journey, our aim was simple: to make life-saving cardiac care accessible to children born with congenital heart disease. I vividly recall Dr Laura and our team travelling across states, conducting awareness talks, and forging connections with NGOs. Those early efforts laid the foundation for the impact we see today, children who can now laugh, play, and dream like any other child,” said Erica Lam, CEO of Pantai Hospital Kuala Lumpur.

Shangri-La Kuala Lumpur’s ‘Embrace the Gift of Life’ programme began in 1985 as the hotel’s annual charitable initiative. It was only in 2024 that the partnership with PHKL was formed, inspired by the arrival of Dr Siti Laura Mazlan, a dedicated paediatric cardiothoracic surgeon whose expertise has been fundamental to this meaningful collaboration.

Since May 2024, a total of ten children has received life-saving paediatric cardiac surgeries through this partnership. In 2025 alone, seven children have been supported by PHKL and Shangri-La Kuala Lumpur.

Through this partnership, Shangri-La Kuala Lumpur has raised RM329,035.90, fully funding eight life-saving surgeries between January and September 2025. These procedures, often not covered by insurance due to financial constraints, are made possible through PHKL’s specialised paediatric cardiac surgical packages.

“This initiative goes beyond fundraising; it’s about giving children the future they deserve. We are profoundly grateful to our guests and supporters who continue to make this journey possible,” said Mr. Daniel Kaeflein.

During the event, attendees were moved by a touching video chronicling the journeys of PHKL–Shangri-La patients, followed by the presentation of a mock cheque and the unveiling of the ‘Embrace the Gift of Life 2025’ ornaments, symbolising hope and resilience.

Daniel Kaeflein and Dr Siti Laura Mazlan also visited 13-year-old Muhammad Akif Amsyar Md Amri and his family in the ward. The family had travelled from Terengganu for Akif’s life-saving heart surgery, which was successfully performed on 18 October 2025. He is now recovering well.

Adding a deeply human touch to the occasion, the teams from PHKL and Shangri-La Kuala Lumpur paid a special visit to Akif and his family, sharing in their gratitude and hope for his full recovery. “We are very thankful for this opportunity and would like to thank Dr Siti Laura and Shangri-La Kuala Lumpur for their invaluable support. We look forward to seeing Akif return to his active lifestyle at school,” said Suzie, Akif’s mother.

The hospital also acknowledged the dedication of its medical team, led by Dr Siti Laura Mazlan, the primary paediatric cardiothoracic surgeon at PHKL. Her expertise and compassion have been instrumental in treating young patients with complex heart conditions, bringing hope to families across Peninsular Malaysia and as far as Sabah.

The event concluded with a visit to patients sponsored by Shangri-La, reinforcing the initiative’s core purpose: to embrace the gift of life and heal little hearts together.

From improving access to critical care to fostering community partnerships that truly matter, this initiative exemplifies PHKL’s commitment to sustainability and community engagement—values that continue to underpin the hospital’s mission beyond its walls.

With every heartbeat restored, PHKL and Shangri-La Kuala Lumpur reaffirm that healthcare is not just about treatment; it’s about compassion, continuity, and building a brighter future for the next generation.