Hong Kong Billionaire Funds Cancer Surgery for 200 Patients

When Hong Kong billionaire Li Ka-shing received letters from liver cancer patients who couldn't afford life-saving treatment, the 97-year-old didn't just write back. He opened his wallet to help 200 of them get the care they desperately needed.

Through his foundation's "Love Can Help" program, Li is subsidizing histotripsy surgery for eligible patients over the next three years. The innovative treatment will now cost HK$50,000 (about US$6,380) instead of the usual HK$260,000.

Histotripsy represents a breakthrough in cancer care. The non-invasive procedure uses high-intensity ultrasound waves to destroy tumor cells without harming healthy tissue around them, and each session takes just 15 to 25 minutes under general anesthesia.

Li had already donated three histotripsy machines to Hong Kong's medical schools in 2024, each worth $3 million. The devices are now operating at private hospitals including Gleneagles Hospital, Hong Kong Sanatorium & Hospital, and CUHK Medical Centre.

But having the technology available wasn't enough. "Mr Li received letters from patients expressing deep regret that they would be unable to access this non-invasive histotripsy surgery due to lack of financial means and insurance coverage," his foundation announced Wednesday.

The foundation released a rare photograph of the billionaire riding an electric mobility scooter, marking one of his first public appearances in years. At 97, Li remains committed to making healthcare accessible to those who need it most.

The Ripple Effect

This liver cancer initiative builds on Li's broader vision of healthcare equality. Since launching "Love Can Help" in 2019, the program has distributed HK$203 million to more than 70,000 beneficiaries across Hong Kong.

The program supports middle-class families, people with disabilities, autistic children, elderly residents, low-income households, and medical students. It fills a critical gap for Hong Kong's "sandwich class," people who earn too much to qualify for government assistance but not enough to afford private healthcare.

Patients applying for the histotripsy subsidy must demonstrate financial need and lack insurance coverage for the procedure. They'll also undergo medical assessment to ensure histotripsy is the right treatment option for their specific condition.

For 200 liver cancer patients facing impossible choices, Li's intervention means access to world-class care that seemed out of reach just weeks ago.