Heart To Heart Trust Fund: Saving Lives for a Decade

As the Heart To Heart Trust Fund celebrates a decade of transforming lives, it remains a testament to the power of community, compassion, and unwavering dedication.

- Jennifer Paldano Goonewardane

The Heart to Heart Trust Fund celebrates its tenth anniversary December 2024. This journey began on January 1, 2015, when a team of dedicated doctors and nurses, led by the renowned cardiothoracic surgeon Dr. Rajitha Y. de Silva, performed a groundbreaking keyhole cardiac surgery. This milestone began an initiative born from Dr. de Silva's compassion and determination.

As a young surgeon at the Colombo National Hospital, Dr. Rajitha de Silva was deeply moved by the plight of patients in dire need of heart surgery, forced to endure lengthy waiting lists due to insufficient facilities in the public healthcare system. The imbalance between demand and supply meant that even those requiring urgent surgery encountered insurmountable delays frequently. Many, unable to afford private treatment, tragically never made it to the operating table.

Dr. de Silva's concern followed him to the semi-government Sri Jayewardenepura General Hospital (SJGH), where he saw firsthand how even partial support from the President's Fund was insufficient for many patients to afford life-saving heart surgeries. Witnessing these heartbreaking situations, Dr. de Silva envisioned a trust fund to assist patients needing cardiac procedures.

He shared his vision with his mentor, cardiologist Dr. Ruvan Ekanayaka. With the unwavering support of the hospital staff and management, they poured their hearts into making this vision a reality. Thus, the Heart to Heart Trust Fund was born in December 1, 2014, soon attracting donors eager to support its mission. Since then, the Trust Fund has been a beacon of hope, tirelessly working to bridge the gap between life and death for countless heart patients, ensuring that financial constraints do not hinder life-saving surgery.