Als Nursing Hospital Opens: 14-year ALS drive builds specialised facility; 350,000 donors fund care

NewsWorld NewsRest of World NewsCha Eunwoo donated 10 million won to a South Korean ALS charity campaign in 2023; two years later, a 23.9 billion won hospital with 76 beds opened after a collective fundraising effort backed by 350,000 donors Cha Eunwoo donated 10 million won to a South Korean ALS charity campaign in 2023; two years later, a 23.9 billion won hospital with 76 beds opened after a collective fundraising effort backed by 350,000 donors South Korean actor and singer Cha Eunwoo's contribution to an ALS awareness campaign in 2023 was among the many efforts supporting patients living with the progressive neurological disease.

Two years later, the fundraising mission reached a significant milestone with the opening of the Seungil Hope Nursing Hospital in Yongin, Gyeonggi Province. Reports by Star Today, The Korea JoongAng Daily, The Korea Times and South Korea's Yonhap News Agency document the journey from celebrity contributions and public donations to the completion of the specialised facility.

In July 2023, Cha participated in the 2023 Ice Bucket Challenge after being nominated by actor Lee Jung-jae. Rather than taking part by pouring ice water over himself, the ASTRO member chose to contribute financially, donating 10 million won to support people living with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), commonly known as Lou Gehrig's disease.

According to Star Today, Cha also encouraged greater public attention towards people affected by rare and incurable illnesses and their families. He nominated fellow ASTRO member Yoon San-ha and actors Moon Ga-young and Park Gyu-young to continue the campaign.

The initiative was part of a wider fundraising movement associated with the Seungil Hope Foundation, which had been working towards establishing a specialised hospital for ALS patients.A 14-year effort finally reaches its goal The hospital's origins go back to 2011, when former professional basketball coach Park Seung-il and singer Sean established the Seungil Hope Foundation.

Park had been diagnosed with ALS at the age of 31 and subsequently dedicated much of his life to raising awareness about the condition and securing better care for patients.Sean, who remained closely involved in the project, helped lead fundraising activities over the years, including the revival of the Ice Bucket Challenge in South Korea.

According to The Korea Times, more than 350,000 individual donors contributed towards the hospital's construction, which required an investment of nearly 24 billion won. The project also received support from corporate partners and government funding.

Park, however, did not live to see the facility completed. He died in September 2024, around six months before its official opening.What the new hospital offers patients You use AI every day. Now get your AI Quotient. Take the AIQ test.

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