On the afternoon of August 9th, the Chinese American Coalition for Compassionate Care (CACCC) held its 20th-anniversary celebration with the theme “Compassion Sustainability: Human-Centered AI Care Blueprint” in Milpitas, California. The event attracted nearly four hundred participants from various sectors.
The event featured prestigious guest speakers, including Dr. Jonathan H. Chen, Director of the Biomedical Informatics Research Center at Stanford University, and Ms. Peggy Sheng, Vice Executive of Tzu Chi Foundation in New York.
Founder of the coalition and experienced nurse, Chen Ming-hui, delivered the opening remarks, reflecting on CACCC’s journey since 2005 in providing end-of-life care services in the U.S. and Asia. CACCC, as the only organization dedicated to Chinese life education and care, has partnered with over two hundred medical institutions to assist the Chinese community in facing end-of-life issues.
Chen emphasized the importance of a dignified death amidst the medical community’s focus on prolonging life. She discussed the preparations and actions needed for a genuine end-of-life experience, including expressing gratitude, love, apologies, and farewells with family and friends. She also stressed the importance of caregivers letting go of perfection and being proactive in helping others cope with grief.
After warm video blessings from global supporters, Dr. Chen began his speech on “The Application of Artificial Intelligence in Medicine: Integration of Intelligence or Illusion?” He demonstrated how AI can assist doctors in generating patient instructions, translating medical orders, and summarizing medical records to alleviate their workload.
Dr. Chen cited research data showing that AI’s medical accuracy has increased from 35% to 90% in just a few years, highlighting its potential to address medical information overload and access barriers. He cautioned about the risks associated with AI, such as generating false information and fraudulent videos, particularly targeting the elderly. Dr. Chen concluded that while AI won’t replace doctors, it will replace those who don’t utilize AI effectively, urging healthcare professionals to embrace AI to enhance care efficiency.
Subsequently, Ms. Sheng shared a story titled “Living Each Day Well,” recounting her experience caring for her terminally ill mother and addressing the cultural taboos surrounding death and differences in understanding hospice care in the Chinese community.
Ms. Sheng detailed how she learned to identify signs of her mother’s impending passing through CACCC training, facilitating family reunions to resolve lifelong regrets. She opened up about her complex relationship with her mother, feelings of neglect stemming from a challenging childhood, and the importance of communication and expressing love with family members.
During the Q&A session, Ms. Sheng discussed her parenting journey, transitioning from a strict tiger mom to appreciating her son’s achievements and emphasizing the psychological needs of children in single-parent households. She also spoke about her own battles with cancer, viewing them as obstacles to overcome and advocating for honest communication and courageous acceptance of treatment.
The event showcased various sponsored booths displaying resources in medical care, cancer support, and AI medical tools within the Chinese community. CACCC introduced upcoming events combining online and offline activities aimed at training more volunteers and disseminating life education and care knowledge.
Chen Ming-hui, in an interview with reporters, emphasized that CACCC’s events, including the celebration and fundraising, aim to expand services and rely on volunteers and donations since all activities are free. She expressed the hope of broadening their impact by assisting individuals in achieving a dignified end-of-life process.
Ms. Sheng, in her statement to reporters, emphasized the significance of hospice care for the Chinese community, overcoming language and cultural barriers to facilitate a dignified farewell for loved ones. She extended gratitude to all volunteers and supporters, urging continued support for this cause.
Attendee Angela Yang, a former software engineer turned consultant, praised Dr. Chen’s AI demonstration for its eye-opening insights, especially in generating podcast summaries to keep doctors updated with new information. She empathized with the pressures faced by medical professionals, while Ms. Sheng’s story underscored the importance of communication and reconciliation within families.
As a volunteer and Bay Area Overseas Chinese Affairs consultant, Song Zhen shared that many attendees found the event invaluable for learning how to care for their families. She appreciated the potential of integrating AI with hospice care and the practical resources provided at the event, such as free services like bathing assistance, accompaniment during medical visits, and doctor appointments tailored for working-class Chinese families.
The CACCC’s 20th-anniversary celebration reflected on its contributions over the past two decades and envisioned a future blueprint where AI supports human-centered compassionate care. The coalition reaffirmed its commitment to promoting end-of-life education and hospice services in the Chinese community to help more individuals achieve a dignified passing.
CACCC, the first non-profit organization focused on end-of-life care for the Chinese community in the U.S., is dedicated to providing education, services, and advocacy in this field.