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June 28, 2010

By Carolyn Gan

They say that “life is a gamble” when we choose our lifetime careers, partner and the pursuit of happiness.

Truer words were never more predicated than when 10 supporters of the UCSF Asian Heart and Vascular Center became 100 devotees on May 1, when the Asian Heart and Vascular Center launched its initiative to open an Asian-focused clinical research, treatment, training and community education program.

Over 100 activists from Chinatown and the outlying communities gathered at the VIP Floor of the Empress of China Restaurant for a landmark luncheon and seminar to hear the latest information on heart disease and strokes delivered in a dynamic talk by Dr. Anne Thorson, a professor from the University of California, San Francisco Medical Center. She said heart attacks remain the number one killer of Asian Americans.

Author Lawrence Tom and Dr. Janet Wong Chan

Opening their hearts to the new Asian Heart and Vascular Center were Irene Riley, Ed and Margaret Lee, Howard and Rosemary Cheung, Arthur Tom, Dr. Roger and Sylvia Eng, Dr. Clifford and Susan Chang, Yuen and Sandra Gin, Diana Chiao, Lena Fong, Ruth Wong, Danny Lee, Waymond and Bettie Lum, Rafaela Lee, Ellen Chow, Ella Chan, Warren Tom, Carolyn Wong, Hing and Lillian Dear, James and Evelyn Gates, Dr. Larry and Kim Fong, Warren and Jennie L. Chinn, Jennie H. Louie, Pat Wong, Vyolet Chu, Margaret Mar, Alex Lock, emcee Doris Grover, Gloria and Peter Hom; Board members Ellen Chan, Maria Fang, Ruth Ma, Irene Cheung, Theresa Hu, Elizabeth Liu, and Gloria and Peter Hom. Co-chairpersons Carolyn Gan and Mae Woo, and many talented volunteers.

Once a beauty queen, always a beauty queen…even while sailing on a massive passenger luxury liner The Sea Princess….Good friends Cynthia Yee, Ivy Tan, Doris Grover, Pat Chin and Bea Wong turned heads and received lots of admiration from fellow travelers as these ladies were exquisitely dressed for dinner each night aboard the luxury cruise to Alaska.

Also enjoying their summer nights aboard the same cruise were George Grover, Luther Lee, Rosemary Lee, sister Rita and niece Lily Smith.

Sacramento Culture Club Vice President Steve Yee, Sacramento natives Carolyn Gan and Dr. Gordon Wong

Back on level ground, a very successful summer evening of book-signing, dinner and readings were hosted by Sacrament’s Culture Club President Helen Yee, Vice-President Steve Yee and fellow members and authors Lawrence and Brian Tom, who introduced their new book “Sacramento’s Chinatown.” Lawrence and Brian are co-authors of “Marysville’s Chinatown,” released in 2008.

In the overflow crowd were hundreds of fans eager to purchase the newly published book Sacramento’s Chinatown which contained many stories of childhood friends, old established families, and the social lives and friendships from “the way we were.” It was a great reunion among old Sacramento friends.

Pictured: Descendants of early Sacramento families. Standing: Carolyn Gan, Dr. Julianne Wong, Seated: Leroy Fong, Dr. William Henry Chan, Dr. Janet Wong Chan