Gift from the Tunku Azizah Fertility Foundation (TAFF)

19 June 2006 (Monday) – Weighing in at 2.1 kg, premature Jaden Samuel Desan was oblivious of the joy of his birth. The arrival of little Jaden at 8:34 am today, is the result of the first successful in-vitro fertilization baby born under the Tunku Azizah Fertility Foundation (TAAF). Its founder, Tunku Puan Pahang Tunku Azizah Aminah Maimunah Iskandariah Sultan Iskandar cried tears of joy as she reached out to Jaden at the Mahkota Medical Centre where he was delivered after 32 weeks.

“He is my ‘cucu' (grandson) and a special baby,” said Tunku Azizah, who is married to the Tengku Mahkota of Pahang. “This is a historic moment for us all since this is the first baby born to a couple supported by TAAF. I am so happy!”

Tunku Azizah reaches out to the first 'grandson' of TAFF at Mahkota Medical Centre'smaternity ward.

Rejoicing with her are Jaden's parents, C. Venggadesan and Santhy Vellasamy, who had waited 13 years for this moment to arrive. His name, “Jaden” aptly means “God has heard us” in Hebrew.

“I thank God for everything,” said Venggadesan at the maternity ward to reporters. “I thank the foundation for making this moment possible!”

The TAAF was founded in March 2005 and has received more than 800 applications from couples throughout Malaysia . Since its inception, 65 couples have been selected as beneficiaries of the Foundation. Ten other couples who have undergone IVF treatment with the help of the Foundation are soon to begin their journey of parenthood.

MMC's IVF Centre is partnering with the TAAF to make it possible for childless couples to be able to start their own families.