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Annemarie Evans

Veteran actress Connie Chan Po-chu  first learned about blood cancer when she visited young cancer patients at Queen Mary Hospital. She was touched when one young girl said to her: 'Po-chu,  is it really you? Your visit has made me happy and I'm feeling much better now.'

For the past six years Chan has been the honorary ambassador of the Hong Kong Blood Cancer Foundation, and Canto-pop star Edison Chen Koon-hei  (right with Chan) is also a spokesman.

The foundation has  teamed up with one of the largest Japanese toys manufacturers Medicom Toy and Harbour City for the 'Love is Big, Love is Be@rbrick' fund-raising campaign.

Ten luxury brands, including Cartier, Chanel and Hermes, have each designed a 2.6-feet tall be@rbrick which will be sold in a silent auction with all proceeds going to the foundation.

Chan says there are  1,000 new cases of blood cancer each year in Hong Kong, including leukaemia, lymphoma and myeloma. 'With advances in medicine, there are now many new drugs offering a better chance for a cure.'

But the treatments are expensive and the foundation has been spending millions helping patients.

Asked whether the minimum bid was set  too high at HK$50,000, Chan  said: 'Certainly not, who can resist a one-of-a-kind hand-painted Cartier, Hermes ... be@rbrick? Our target is to raise around HK$10 million.'

The 10 limited-edition bears will be exhibited at the Asia International Arts & Antiques Fairs 2007 at the AsiaWorld-Expo from today  to  Tuesday  and at  Harbour City from  Wednesday  to June 3.

Sealed bids can be made from May 24 to June 4 and bidding forms can be downloaded from www.hkbcf.com until June 4. Inquiries: 25760982.



Actress lends a hand and heart to blood cancer foundation