'Contemporary Norman Bethune' wins Legend Award

The 2019 Chinese Canadian Legend Awards have gone to six recipients, including Dr Dominique Shum-Tim, a "contemporary Norman Bethune".

As a heart surgeon at the Royal Victoria Hospital in Montreal, Shum-Tim is known for his volunteer work to help patients in remote areas of China.

He was a member and later vice-president of the Bethune Medical Development Association of Canada, which aims to promote the dedication and professionalism of Dr Bethune, organizing specialists to visit China for exchanges and medical support.

Dr Norman Bethune was a battlefield surgeon in China in the late 1930s during the Second Sino-Japanese War.

"It's my great pleasure to receive the award," said Shum-Tim." Thanks to all the 'contemporary Norman Bethunes' from the Chinese community here and in China. We all work in collaboration with each other."

According to Shum-Tim, he is planning to continue to mentor and share his knowledge and experience in surgical education on an international scale, and to raise $2 million to create the Contemporary Norman Bethune Fellowship in Cardiovascular Surgery.

"His selfless dedication has inspired many of his Canadian colleagues and counterparts in China to join the 'Dr Bethune Movement'," said Member of Parliament Jean Yip, who presented the award to Shum-Tim.

"Dr Norman Bethune once said, 'Let us say to the people not 'How much have you got?' but 'How best can we serve you?'. Bethune's legacy has been carried forward by Shum-Tim and his fellows," Yip said.

As an earlier overseas student from Beijing thanks to the reform and opening up, honoree Wu Bing headed to Canada 32 years ago and later founded a software company along with her husband Zhou Songnian, who won the legend award nine years ago as a entrepreneur.

Through her community involvement, Wu helped Chinese Canadians develop businesses opportunities and seek government assistance. She also extended her volunteer work to help fundraising activities of Orbis Flying Eye Hospital.

Since 2006, Wu has fully applied her experience in managing modern enterprise to the management of charitable work at the Fu Hui Education Foundation, an organization that provides educational assistance to underprivileged students in China and Canada.

She got involved with writing letters to Fu Hui-funded students in Sichuan and after retiring led a letter writing group to reach children.

"In Chinese culture, we advocate benevolence and kindness. This is not my personal honour; it's an honour that belongs to the team, and it also belongs to (all) immigrants from the Chinese mainland," said Wu.

Under her leadership, the numbers of volunteers from the mainland at Fu Hui has grown from a few people to more than 300 members.

"The award allows more people to see that Chinese mainland immigrants like Wu have contributed to the Canadian community for many years. Her example will encourage more Chinese newcomers to devote themselves to building a better community through various platforms," said Zhuang Yaodong, acting Chinese consul general in Toronto, who presented the award to Wu.

"I believe the stories of this year's recipients will inspire more Chinese Canadians to play a bigger role in their respective fields, so as to make more contributions to the local society, and to the mutual understanding between China and Canada," Zhuang added.

The Chinese Canadian Legend Awards began in 2000. The program is committed to setting examples of outstanding Chinese Canadians who constantly strive for self-improvement and give back to society, thus winning respect and recognition from ethnical groups in Canada.

"Since 2000, a total of 118 outstanding individuals have been awarded, and 19 books were published to showcase their legendary stories," said Bammy Wong, president of the Chinese Canadian Legends Association. "Entering a new era, we will continue to acknowledge the tremendous efforts of Chinese Canadians in contributing to the community."