My cancer journey taught me that even during difficult times, there can still be moments of joy, friendship and hope. I remember being scared of the painful injections and bitter medicine but playing games and making friends in the ward helped make the hospital feel less scary.

Throughout my journey, CCF walked alongside my family, providing emotional and counselling support to help my parents navigate the challenges of caring for me. CCF also worked closely with my school, healthcare professionals and other support partners, including my shadow teacher, to better understand my needs and support my adjustment and behaviour across different settings.

CCF’s play and music therapy support also provided opportunities for me and my sibling to express ourselves, cope with challenges and build positive experiences during a difficult period. Through this coordinated support, CCF not only supported me, but my family as a whole.

My family has also remained actively involved in CCF’s programmes and activities, including GetActive, KidsConnect, ParentsConnect, Raintree and CCF Walk for Hope. These experiences have given us opportunities to spend meaningful time together, connect with other families and feel part of a supportive community.

Today, as a cancer survivor, my aspiration is to bring happiness to other children going through cancer and remind them that they are not alone. One way I do this is by taking part in Hair for Hope, where I shaved my head to show my support for children going through cancer.

In the future, I hope to continue finding ways to help other children going through treatment feel happier and less afraid. Whether it is through supporting Hair for Hope, spending time with children, or even one day working in an aquarium where I can share my love for animals and bring joy to others, I want to make a difference in their lives.

I hope every child going through cancer can stay brave and strong, never give up, and know that there is life beyond cancer. There are still so many dreams to chase, experiences to enjoy, and possibilities waiting for them.

I was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) in 2014 at the age of five. At such a young age, I did not fully understand what was happening, but I went through many different treatments and spent a significant part of my childhood in and out of the hospital. Along the way, I made many new friends, both in the hospital and through CCF Place for Academic Learning and Support (PALS). Some of these friendships became very meaningful to me. 

However, I also experienced the pain of losing two of my friends, one when I was in K1 and another when I was in K2. Although these were difficult experiences, they became an important part of my childhood journey and taught me to appreciate the people around me.

Throughout my journey, I am especially grateful for my family and loved ones. Their care, support, attention and encouragement helped me through many difficult moments. Knowing that they were always there beside me gave me the strength to keep going. CCF has also been a source of support for me and my family. The back-to-school support helped me adjust as I returned to school after treatment, while casework and counselling provided guidance and support as I navigated the challenges of growing up after cancer. I am also grateful for the wellness programmes, which gave me opportunities to connect with others and continue growing beyond my experience with cancer.

One of the biggest challenges I overcame was eventually being cured and becoming cancer-free. However, my journey did not end there. As I grew older, I found it increasingly difficult to make new friends. After graduating from PALS, I had to start building new friendships in primary school, secondary school and eventually ITE. Over time, I became more reserved and introverted, especially during my secondary school and ITE years. Despite this, I continued trying to connect with others in my own way. I am also grateful that I have been able to maintain friendships with some of the best friends I made through PALS. Even today, we still have small gatherings and events where we can meet, catch up and continue our friendships.

What kept me going was knowing that I still had my loved ones beside me. Looking back at where I started and seeing where I am today also gives me strength. I am proud of how much I have grown, both mentally and physically, and how much my life has changed since the beginning of my journey.

Going through everything I did and eventually being cured has shaped me into a more resilient, appreciative and empathetic person. My journey taught me not to take my health, family, friendships and opportunities for granted, and that difficult situations can be overcome with patience, determination and the support of those around us.

Today, I try to approach challenges with a positive mindset and remind myself that even small progress is still progress. My experiences have also inspired me to appreciate every moment and to be more understanding towards others facing their own struggles.

Looking ahead, I hope to pursue my dream of becoming a baker. I want to continue learning, creating and bringing happiness to others through something I love. My journey has shown me that life after cancer is filled with new possibilities, dreams and opportunities to look forward to.

To anyone going through a difficult time, remember that your current situation does not define your future. Take things one day at a time, be kind to yourself, and keep believing in yourself. You are not alone, and every small step forward brings you closer to better days. There is always hope — keep going.

In 2023, Kenny was diagnosed with AML (Acute Myeloid Leukaemia). During his first cycle of chemotherapy, he suffered a stroke. That was one of the darkest moments of our lives.

While we were still trying to come to terms with the reality that my little boy had blood cancer, we also had to accept that, because of the stroke, he would have to live with weakness on one side of his body.

The journey has been long and incredibly difficult. We have learned to take it one step at a time, one day at a time.  CCF walked alongside us, providing emotional support and reassurance while helping us navigate the challenges we faced. CCF worked with us, his school and other programme partners to understand his changing medical and learning needs, and to support his participation in school and community activities.

Despite all the challenges he has faced, he continues to dream and look towards the future. Kenny loves building with LEGO, and his dream is to become a LEGO builder one day. Seeing him enjoy building and creating reminds us that there is still so much for him to look forward to.

Being a caregiver for someone diagnosed with cancer is definitely not easy. The journey is long and filled with ups and downs, moments of fear, exhaustion, and uncertainty. But there is always hope, and there is always light at the end of the tunnel.

It is okay to cry. It is okay to have a bad day. It is okay to feel tired and overwhelmed.

But never give up. Keep going, one day at a time. ❤️

On 8 November 2022, Yiyi underwent surgery at KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital. The surgery went smoothly, but afterwards, her vision in both eyes was affected. After 6 long months of chemotherapy, some vision returned to her right eye, but the optic nerve in her left eye was permanently damaged and could not recover. After undergoing 17 months of chemotherapy, Yiyi’s vision in her right eye continued to improve, and she has also continued to grow and thrive. 

One of the challenges our family has faced is having a child who requires lifelong care. We have had to make frequent trips to the hospital for check-ups and treatment. We also experienced the fear and anxiety that came with the changes in her vision, from being able to see, to losing her vision, and eventually to being able to see again with one eye. We gradually learned to accept that the vision in her left eye would not return, while being grateful that she could still use her right eye to see the world. It is Yiyi’s courage and strength that have brought warmth to and touched our entire family, giving us the courage to face every difficulty together.

Throughout Yiyi’s journey, CCF has also walked alongside our family, supporting her learning and educational needs as she navigated treatment and her transition back to mainstream primary school. CCF also worked with us to explore suitable school arrangements and additional support, including a shadow teacher to help Yiyi adjust and participate more confidently in school. Her health and schooling progress were also followed up to ensure that the support remained responsive to her changing needs.

Today, Yiyi has become even more determined to grow into someone who can contribute to society and help others in the future. This aspiration has become a source of motivation for her to work hard and continue learning.

To children who are going through experiences similar to Yiyi’s, keep going and stay strong. You have many friends who will accompany you through this journey, as well as family members who love you. 

To parents, I would say: believe that your child can bravely face their own journey in life. Let’s continue to do our best and create miracles together. Even if things do not turn out as we hope, cherish every beautiful moment you have together, because these memories will stay with you for a lifetime.