In August this year, the D.S. Lee Foundation generously donated an SGD 3 million endowment to further the research and development of mental health. The donation supports the NUS Yeo Boon Khim Mind Science Centre and NUHS’s innovative mental health projects. On August 25, 2024, during the fundraising musical “I’MPERFECT,” with Dr. Astrid Suantio, presented a $3 million cheque on behalf of her aunt, Dr Della Suantio Lee. The event was witnessed by Singapore’s Minister of Health, Mr. Ong Ye Kung.
The Blessing of Giving
As the saying goes, “To give is better than to receive.” Dr. Della Suantio Lee believes this philosophy emphasizes the fulfillment and sense of purpose in selfless generosity. She sees supporting and contributing to meaningful causes as a blessing. By giving, people cultivate a sense of responsibility and compassion, forging deeper connections with others. She explained that this donation represents a major commitment to advancing digital science and education in mental health, aiming to positively impact lives by improving the understanding and treatment of mental health issues.
Dr. Della Suantio recognized the urgency of addressing mental health issues years ago. As society and the economy continue to progress, psychological health has increasingly become a significant barrier to quality of life and social development. Looking to the future, issues such as AI-based healthcare, elderly care, and healthy families will draw more attention, aligning with the foundation’s focus areas. She has a particular interest in the application of cutting-edge technologies, like AI and big data, in healthcare and education. By supporting research through charitable donations, she believes technological innovation can effectively address challenges in areas such as medical diagnostics and education. Her philanthropic insight not only seeks to solve present-day problems but also offers innovative solutions for the sustainable development of society.
The D.S. Lee Foundation exemplifies her selfless dedication to society and her concern for others, values she has embodied through her actions. This has established Dr. Della Suantio Lee as an outstanding philanthropist and raised awareness of social issues, inspiring more people to join the cause of charity. Through her benevolent deeds, she encourages others to understand and practice the philosophy of giving, calling for selfless actions to help those in need. More importantly, she uses her contributions to demonstrate the power of kindness to the world.
Education and Healthcare as Primary Focus Areas
Education and healthcare are the two primary areas of focus in Dr. Della’s charitable endeavors, especially projects with a broad social impact. She believes education is the foundation of societal progress, capable of changing individual destinies and driving overall development. Through her donations, she supports educational programs that help more children gain access to quality educational resources. Her contributions have improved school infrastructure and provided scholarships and learning opportunities.
She strongly believes that by offering educational resources and opportunities, more underprivileged students can change their lives through education, thus promoting societal progress. In her view, access to education should not be limited by geography, gender, or economic circumstances.
Of the total amount, an endowment gift of SGD 2 million will go towards the Della Suantio Lee Professorship in Mental Health and Digital Science. This professorship will support cutting-edge artificial intelligence (AI) and translate big data analytics into mental health research and clinical practice. It will also help attract and retain top scholars, enhance the institution’s reputation, and contribute to academic excellence.
Dr. Della is equally committed to healthcare, recognizing that equitable access to medical resources is essential for societal stability and happiness. The healthcare projects she supports cover various areas, including disease prevention, treatment, and health education. By funding medical research and donating medical equipment, she has helped raise the overall quality of public healthcare.
The remaining SGD 1 million of the donation will go towards MSC’s mental wellness centre in Alexandra Hospital, which will now bear the name of the donor and be renamed the D.S. Lee Foundation Mind Art Experiential Lab (MAE-Lab). Opened in 2021, MAE-Lab is a space for the discovery of creative and integrative interventions through art, mindfulness, and transdisciplinary research to promote mental wellness, enhance cognitive functions, improve the quality of mind, and build mental resilience.
Honoring the Late Dr. Lee Seng Gee’s Legacy through Philanthropy
The D.S. Lee Foundation was established by Dr. Della Suantio Lee in 2004 with her personal assets, initially funded by USD 1 million, a wedding anniversary gift from her husband, Dr. Lee Seng Gee. Although Dr. Lee Seng Gee passed away in 2016, Dr. Della Suantio Lee continues to follow in her husband’s philanthropic footsteps, working hard to maintain and even expand the foundation’s impact.
Dr. Della Suantio Lee and Dr. Lee Seng Gee, married in 1991, were both passionate about philanthropy. After her husband’s death, Dr. Della took on the responsibility of continuing their charitable mission. Guided by the belief that “To give is better than to receive,” Dr. Della leads the foundation to focus on education, healthcare, and mental health, remaining steadfast in their commitment to charity.
Before the marriage, Dr. Della Suantio was a doctor committed to saving lives. After marrying to Dr Lee, she dedicated all her energy and time to supporting her husband’s charitable endeavors.
In 1988, Dr. Lee Seng Gee met Dr. Della Suantio, the granddaughter of Thio Siong Soe, a famous rubber merchant and philanthropist from Medan, Indonesia. Dr. Della’s father, Thio Koe Foe, owned the largest coconut oil factory in Medan, and her grandfather, Thio Siong Soe, originally from Fujian, China, was a prominent businessman in Medan. He built an empire that included import and export trade, rubber, rice, oil, and tea, becoming one of the richest merchants in Southeast Asia.
Dr. Lee Seng Gee, who chaired the Lee Foundation, was a humble man who, like his father, Lee Kong Chian, and grandfather, Tan Kah Kee, made significant contributions to Singapore, particularly in education, healthcare, and social welfare. Both Lee Kong Chian, a pioneering philanthropist and businessman, and Tan Kah Kee, one of Singapore’s most famous entrepreneurs and educators, left a profound legacy.
Dr. Della Suantio Lee remarked that continuing the legacy of her husband’s mission of philanthropy is the best way to honor and remember him. “Although I can no longer seek his guidance, over the course of more than 25 years, he imparted to me enough knowledge and experience to manage the foundation. I have gradually developed clear ideas on how to fulfill its mission.”
She shared that both of them had a common vision of benefiting society. They trusted and supported each other, finding joy in their shared commitment to charity. Her husband left Singapore with a valuable cultural spirit and a precious legacy for future generations. To her, he left beautiful memories, and she admires his foresight and passion for charity, which she will continue to carry forward.
Encouraging Charitable Values
Dr. Della believes that charity is not just an individual act but a collective social responsibility. She advocates for community participation and collaboration, using collective efforts to address social problems effectively. Through funding community projects, she encourages public involvement in charity, promoting overall societal progress. One such initiative is the Tan Chin Tuan Nursing Award, established in 2006 to recognize enrolled nurses. To date, 172 nurses have received the award. In 2013, Dr. Della also personally donated to Xiamen University to support the establishment of an advanced nursing center.
Dr. Della’s philanthropic philosophy is not only a personal belief and a tribute to her husband but also a profound understanding of social responsibility. Through her selfless contributions, she has fostered development in crucial areas such as education, healthcare, mental health, innovative research, and community cooperation, leaving a lasting positive impact on society.
At the cheque presentation ceremony in August, Dr. Astrid Suantio shared that her aunt often imparts wisdom and thoughts about life and charity. “She shaped my understanding of philanthropy, generosity, and leadership. Her actions inspire me to think more deeply about how to contribute to the community or causes I care about. She motivates me to be more proactive in my own charitable endeavors.”
Dr. Astrid greatly appreciates her aunt’s approach, believing that one person’s generosity can have a profound impact, especially in education and mental health. By setting a powerful example, Dr. Della Suantio Lee not only inspires those around her but also makes meaningful contributions to society. Her values and vision will continue to lead the foundation to play an even more significant role in the future.
