Singapore Heart Foundation Marks 55 Years of Championing Heart Health and Resilience

The Singapore Heart Foundation (SHF) celebrated its 55th anniversary on Sunday, 6 April 2025, at the National Gallery Singapore, commemorating over five decades of unwavering commitment to heart health. Titled “Resilient HeARTs: Celebrating 55 Years of Empowering Heart Health,” the milestone event paid tribute to SHF’s journey of impact, innovation, and resilience—recognising the individuals and partners who have walked this meaningful path together.

Graced by Minister for Health, Mr Ong Ye Kung, the celebration featured exhibits highlighting SHF’s pioneering efforts to fight cardiovascular disease and stroke in Singapore. Since its establishment in 1970 by a group of visionary cardiologists, SHF has been a pillar in the nation’s health landscape, guided by its core pillars of Prevention, Rehabilitation, and Resuscitation.

Empowering the Community through Prevention

At the heart of SHF’s mission lies prevention. Despite facing early challenges like limited resources and low public awareness, the Foundation has tirelessly educated Singaporeans on heart health. In the past year alone (ending 31 March 2024), more than 727,000 individuals benefited from SHF’s outreach efforts, including school children and visually impaired communities.

SHF continues to lead with innovative initiatives such as the BP Initiative @ Schools, Salt Taste Threshold Test, and the newly unveiled CardioChase Game Kiosk—an engaging, motion-sensing game starring mascots Hugo and Sandy. Set to launch in schools by Q3 2025, the kiosk encourages students to adopt heart-healthy habits in a fun and interactive way.

Guiding Recovery through Rehabilitation

For those recovering from heart conditions, SHF offers more than medical support—it offers hope. Since launching its first Heart Wellness Centre (HWC) in 2004 at College Road, SHF has helped thousands regain strength through affordable rehabilitation, with clients paying just $5 per session. Today, SHF operates three HWCs across the island—in Fortune Centre, Bukit Gombak Sports Hall, and Junction 8 Office Tower—serving over 3,100 clients.

SHF’s rehabilitation programmes are also open to at-risk individuals managing conditions like hypertension and diabetes, further extending its life-changing impact across the community.

Lending a Lifeline through Financial Assistance

Recovery isn’t just physical—it’s financial too. SHF’s Heart Support Fund (HSF) provides critical aid to heart patients in need. In the last financial year, the fund supported 300 individuals and families, including Mr Rahmat Bin Mohamed, 65, who underwent a complex $36,000 heart procedure. With SHF’s support of over $5,000, Mr Rahmat was able to access the life-saving treatment without overwhelming financial stress.

A Nation of Lifesavers

As part of its 55th anniversary celebration, the Singapore Heart Foundation (SHF) reaffirmed its mission to build a heart-safe nation by equipping everyday Singaporeans with lifesaving skills. With Resuscitation as a core pillar of its work, SHF continues to champion initiatives that empower the public to act swiftly in cardiac emergencies—turning ordinary citizens into extraordinary lifesavers.

Since launching the Heart Safe Initiative in 2007, SHF has trained thousands in CPR and AED use. In the past year alone, over 8,461 individuals were trained in these vital skills—strengthening the nation’s emergency readiness and saving lives before professional help arrives.

Empowering Everyday Heroes

Through key programmes like CPR+AED courses, Project Heart, and the CPR Self-Learning Kiosk, SHF has nurtured a growing network of Community First Responders. In 2023, this community expanded further with the launch of the Community First Responders Club, offering members a supportive platform to share experiences, enhance their skills, and focus on mental wellness.

SHF also introduced the Cardiac Arrest Survivors Club in collaboration with UPEC, providing a safe space for survivors to connect, share, and heal together.

Art Meets Heart at ‘Resilient heARTs’ Exhibition

Held at the National Gallery Singapore, the 55th anniversary event featured ‘Resilient heARTs’, a powerful exhibition of 55 visual and sound art pieces created by SHF’s community—cardiac patients, survivors, board members, and staff. This heartfelt display celebrated the strength, creativity, and hope of those touched by heart disease.

Attendees also got hands-on with interactive learning kiosks, including the CPR Self-Learning Kiosk, BP Awareness Kiosk, and the new CardioChase Game Kiosk, each designed to educate and engage participants in heart health and emergency response.

Resilience Through Inclusion and Art

In a show of unity, SHF collaborated with social service agencies and enterprises to host six inclusive art workshops, promoting heart health through creative expression and community empowerment:

• Moss Photo Frame Workshop – Movement for the Intellectually Disabled of Singapore
• Soft Tissue, Hard Design Workshop – Singapore Association for Mental Health
• Sustainable Urban Farming Workshop – Everything Green
• Artistic Crafting Workshop – Singaporean illustrator Patrick Yee
• Heartfelt Memento Workshop – Visual artist Elisa Liu

Each station offered a unique space for self-expression and reflection on the power of resilience.

Looking Ahead: SHF Charity TV Show ‘Resilient Hearts’

To further mark this milestone, SHF invites the public to tune in to its Charity TV Show ‘Resilient Hearts’, airing on Mediacorp Channel 8 on 29 June 2025, from 7pm to 10pm. The event will celebrate SHF’s life-saving mission and raise funds to continue its impactful work across Singapore.

For more details on SHF’s 55th anniversary celebration, visit here.