Celebrating Our Nursing Angels Who Give Beyond The Call of Duty

By Chan Yu Qing

Our nurses play an important role in the healing journey of every patient, delivering care with skill, dedication and purpose every single day. For some, that commitment extends beyond their work hours, as monthly donors who give generously to support those in need.

Every month, they make a small but deliberate choice to donate to the NHCS Heart To Heart Fund to help the patients they serve. This Nurses' Day, we spoke with eight of these remarkable nurses to hear their stories at work and understand what drives their spirit of giving.

The Need for Help is Not Always Obvious

Torres Glaiza Basco
Senior Staff Nurse (Clinical), Ward 44, NHCS

For Glaiza, the seeds of generosity were planted at home. "My parents and grandparents, although they did not come from a privileged background, always found small ways to help others in need. Their altruism continues to inspire me to give back."

Working at NHCS has shown her that those who need help may not always show it. "Some patients may seem like they are doing fine, but conversations with them revealed hardships I never would have guessed, reminding me that the need for help is not always obvious."

And it is that realisation that keeps her giving.

“Though my contribution may seem small, the life it impacts is beyond measure."

When Financial Worries Gets in the Way of Care

Goh Ying Xiang
Senior Staff Nurse (Clinical), Cardiac Clinics, NHCS

As a Senior Staff Nurse in the Cardiac Clinics, Ying Xiang often encounters patients who faced financial challenges as part of her care for them.

"A patient was shocked upon hearing the cost of his procedure, and he hesitated over proceeding with the treatment because he could not afford it," she recalls. "It made me realise that money worries can get in the way of the care our patients need."

For her, giving is like a warm cup of Milo.

“It doesn’t cost much, but it brings warmth, sweetness and comfort to whoever receive it.”

The Patients who Came Back

Bincy Biju
Senior Staff Nurse (Clinical), Cardiothoracic Intensive Care Unit (CTICU), NHCS

Time and again, Bincy, has cared for patients who returned with worsening conditions. In many cases, it was not because treatment had failed them, but because they could not afford the cost of treatment.

"These experiences reminded me that our acts of kindness and generosity can make a meaningful difference in our patients’ healthcare journey."

Generosity is not a gesture but hope made tangible.

"While I may not be able to change every patient's circumstance, I believe that every act of generosity can help lighten their burden and let them know they are not facing their journey alone."

When the Duty Ends, the Caring Doesn't

Norashikin Binte Abdul Wahab
Principal Enrolled Nurse, Cardiac Clinics, NHCS

Norashikin sees giving as a natural continuation of what nurses already do.

"Caring doesn't end when my duty is over. Giving beyond the bedside means continuing to support patients in ways that make their journey a little easier."

This conviction grew from something she had long witnessed working on the ground. "Beyond medical treatment, many patients and their families still need financial and emotional support during difficult times. Being able to contribute regularly is my way of giving back to those who need it most."

Planting the Seeds of Generosity

Yeoh Lee Shien
Senior Nurse Manager, Cardiothoracic Intensive Care Unit (CTICU), NHCS

Sister Yeoh has witnessed the financial burden that having a cardiac condition can place on patients and their families.

“Patients who had made good progress clinically were visibly anxious about how they would manage medical expenses after discharge. Seeing that worry on their face reminded me that healing is not just physical, and that there is always more we can do to support a patient's journey."

What keeps her giving is the belief that small things, done consistently, grow into something significant.

"Generosity is like a seed. It may seem small on its own, but when planted and nurtured, it grows into something that provides shelter, strength, and hope."

One Donation, One Life Saved

Nurjannah Binte Nordin
Assistant Nurse Clinician, Cardiac Catheterisation Lab, NHCS

Jannah has seen firsthand how far a single donation can reach. She recalls caring for a patient who survived an acute heart attack because his family had attended a CPR and AED training course organised by NHCS.

"Witnessing this reminded me that giving back is not always about grand gestures. In this case, a single contribution that helped fund a training programme has equipped someone with the knowledge and confidence to save a life."

Her advice to fellow nurses is simple: "You don't have to give a lot to make an impact, you just have to start."

Giving Makes Us Less Alone

Betty Yap Tai Tee
Nurse Clinician, Nursing Development Unit, NHCS

Sister Betty describes generosity as a pair of warm hands holding others on a cold day:

"It brings comfort, reassurance, and hope when you need it most. And in the same way, an act of generosity can make someone feel cared for and less alone."

Her belief translates directly into how she thinks about giving as a nurse. "While we provide support, comfort, and clinical care to our patients as nurses, giving as a monthly staff donor is another meaningful way of extending that care beyond the bedside. And the greatest reward is knowing that I am part of a community working together to support patients in need."

Lighting the Way for Others

Chong Thye
Assistant Director, Nursing, NHCS

Sister Chong brings a leader's perspective to giving. Over the years, she has come to see monthly donations not just as financial support, but as part of a larger legacy.

"Nursing is not only about what we do for patients today, but also about the legacy we leave for future generations of nurses and the people they will care for."

For her, generosity is like a candle. "It gives light and warmth without asking for anything in return. And just as one candle can light many others without losing its flame, generosity has a way of inspiring more generosity – creating a ripple effect that reaches far beyond the original gesture."

For our nurses, giving is simply an extension of what they already do. They show up for their patients at work, and as a monthly donor, they continue to show up for those in need. Their reasons for giving may differ, but they share a common belief – that compassion doesn’t clock out at the end of a shift.

To every nurse at NHCS: Thank you for the care you bring to your work each day, and for the generosity you carry beyond it. Happy Nurses' Day!

You Can Make A Difference

Every contribution, however small, helps ensure that no patient faces their journey alone. Click here to make a donation today.

If you have an idea for fundraising, speak to us today at development@nhcs.com.sg!