2026 Singapore Silent Heroes Winner: Magdalene Chia – Heart of Humanity

Seventy-year-old Magdalene Chia plays a pivotal, hands-on leadership role as the
Programme Volunteer Lead of the Caring Hearts Support Group (CHSG) at the National
University Heart Centre, Singapore (NUHCS). As a heart disease survivor managing her
own long-term cardiac condition, she turned her personal recovery journey into a
structured platform supporting 150 members.

She championed the C.A.R.E. Programme (Care, Appreciate and Respect our Elders), shifting it towards elder-centric care. Through this programme, CHSG volunteers trained through NUHCS‑supported education and physiotherapy‑based exercise guidance help elderly participants improve balance, mobility, muscle strength, and mental well‑being. The programme currently involves 20 trained stakeholders and is conducted annually, with outreach extending to both CHSG members and the wider community.

During the COVID-19 circuit breaker, she ensured the continuity of cardiac rehabilitation
by transitioning exercise sessions to Zoom. She has led annual Christmas caroling at NUHCS
wards since 2018, recently expanding the effort to include student volunteers from CHIJ St
Nicholas Secondary School. Her advocacy extends to national and international platforms,
notably serving as the sole patient speaker at the Singapore Prevention And Cardiac
Rehabilitation Symposium 2025 and contributing to the MOH Agency of Care Effectiveness
Consumer Panel.

Guided by the belief that “Caring Begins With Me” and “You’ll Never Walk Alone”, Magdalene ensures that no cardiac patient feels abandoned after hospital discharge. Through years of consistent, behind-the-scenes dedication, she exemplifies the quiet perseverance and holistic recovery journey that defines a true Silent Hero.