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.

At 10 years old, I was diagnosed with Rhabdomyosarcoma, a rare, aggressive stage 2 muscle cancer. I still remember the moment the doctor told my mum, “I’m sorry, but your son has cancer.” For a child, hearing those words doesn’t fully register at first. The fear came later, in the hospital ward, when I started losing friends I had made there. That’s when it stopped feeling like something happening to me, and started feeling real: this could kill me.

Treatment meant surgery that left me living with three missing rib bones, months of chemotherapy, and a body that no longer looked or felt like my own. But some of the hardest moments weren’t medical, they were social. On my first day back at school, a teacher called me out in front of the entire assembly hall and asked me to remove my cap, exposing my bald head to everyone. Rebuilding my confidence after that took longer than recovering physically.

What kept me going was simple, but it wasn’t easy: my family’s presence, small stubborn moments of normal childhood (I even played rugby again, against doctor’s advice), and a growing belief that I wasn’t going to let this be the end of my story. There was a quiet strength in refusing to be defined only as “the sick kid.”

Looking back now, I sometimes imagine what I’d say to that ten-year-old version of me, still scared and in pain: that he was going to make it, that he was braver and stronger than he felt in that moment, and that everything he was going through would eventually mean something.

That experience shaped every part of who I am today. It’s part of why, five years ago, I became a financial advisor. It might not seem like an obvious connection, but it is: I watched my family go through real financial strain on top of the emotional weight of my illness. Helping families protect themselves before a crisis hits isn’t just a job to me, it feels like the work I was meant to do. I went through the pain so other families don’t have to go through it unprepared.

For a long time, I stayed quiet about this chapter of my life because I was afraid of being judged or seen differently. But I’ve realized that hiding it doesn’t help anyone, including the version of me who needed to hear that survival was possible.

So if you’re going through something that feels impossible right now, whether it’s illness, fear, or a diagnosis that’s changed everything, I want you to know: you are stronger than you think, this pain does not get the final word, and if I could make it through, so can you.

When my daughter, Chan Mei Heng, was diagnosed with acute leukaemia at just 5 years old, it felt as though the sky had fallen. Fortunately, her condition was classified as low-risk, but she still had to undergo two long years of chemotherapy. In the early stages, every treatment session left her crying inconsolably, while we as parents, were left emotionally and physically exhausted.

Thankfully, the companionship, games, and warmth provided by CCF’s staff and volunteers help lift the gloom in the hospital ward and brought her smiles back. During her 6 months at CCF Place for Academic Learning and Support (PALS), the care and support of her teachers and peers gave Mei Heng a safe and nurturing environment to learn, play and grow in confidence. It also helped her learn to be independent and become more sociable, preparing her for a smooth transition into Primary 1. This love and support have been our family’s greatest source of strength throughout the journey. 

Today, Mei Heng has been in remission for almost a year, and has successfully progressed to Primary 2. The hardships she once endured have shaped her into the cheerful, outgoing, and helpful girl she is today.  She is well-behaved at school and enjoys making friends and helping her classmates.

Mei Heng loves playing in the water, going to playgrounds, making crafts with her older sister, especially crafts inspired by her favourite game characters, and playing mobile games.

As she grows older, we hope that Mei Heng will continue to be curious, confident, and kind. We hope she will continue to explore the things she loves, make new friends, and discover her own dreams and aspirations along the way. 

Most importantly, we hope she grows up healthy and happy, with the courage to pursue whatever she sets her heart on.

To all families going through tough times: Where there is love, there is hope. No matter how dark the storm may seem, there is always sunshine after the rain.

I was diagnosed with Wilms tumour at 7 years old and some challenges I had faced was after chemotherapy, I always felt sick. During those difficult days, my cats were always by my side. Having them around whenever I felt uncomfortable or unwell brought me comfort and made me feel less alone. CCF also supported me and my family in various ways, including financial assistance and emotional and therapeutic support to help me cope with the challenges I faced at home and in school. CCF worked closely with my family to understand our needs, provide support and connect us with relevant community resources.

Looking back, I feel that this experience has shaped the person I am today by teaching me to be grateful for everything and not to take things for granted. My experience as a cancer patient has also inspired what I hope to become in the future. I enjoy science and hope to do well in the subject, as I aspire to be an oncologist one day. I was inspired by Dr Prasad from KKH, and I hope that one day I can help other children and families who are going through what I experienced.

To anyone going through a difficult time, I want to say: If you are feeling disheartened, that you are somehow not enough, set your heart ablaze. Dry your eyes and look ahead. You may feel like digging your heels in, but the flow of time waits for no one. It won’t patiently stand by as you grieve.

My childhood cancer journey was a difficult chapter in my life, but it is also an experience that has shaped the person I am today.

One of the biggest challenges I remember was dealing with the pain and uncertainty. There were many things I did not understand because I was still young. At the same time, being young and naive gave me a different perspective. I naturally believed that everything was curable, so I did not feel as scared as I might have if I had fully understood the situation. Looking back, I realise that while I was going through my own journey, it was probably an even tougher and more worrying period for my family.

Recovery was not easy either. There were many diet restrictions, and I had to be extra careful about infections and viruses. Returning to school brought another set of challenges. I had to meet new classmates and adjust to being around people again. I remember feeling conscious about how others might judge me when they saw me without my hair, even though I often wore a cap. These may seem like small things, but at that age, they felt significant.

Through all of these experiences, I slowly learned to adapt and keep moving forward. CCF has been there for me at different stages of my life, and I am truly grateful for the support, opportunities and memories along the way. Today, as I begin a new chapter and journey towards starting a family, it feels especially meaningful to be able to share my story with CCF once again.

Today, I realise that overcoming cancer was not only about getting through the treatment. It was also about learning how to face uncertainty, accept changes, and find courage in everyday situations.

Growing up, I actually had many dreams. I wanted to be a doctor, a singer, and at one point, even an aerospace engineer! 😆 None of those dreams quite came true. But I have learnt that life does not always turn out the way we imagined and that is okay.

One dream that has stayed with me since I was young, though, is the dream of becoming a mother someday having a child of my own. That’s something I’m still holding onto and working towards.

Going through cancer has also taught me that health is truly more important than wealth. It has changed the way I look at life and made me appreciate the things that I may have once taken for granted.

If I had to describe who I am today, perhaps I would simply say that I am someone who is still dreaming, still hoping, and still learning to appreciate the life and people I have been blessed with.

My experience has made me more appreciative of life and more understanding of the challenges that others may be quietly facing. To anyone going through a difficult journey now, I want to say that it is okay to have difficult days. You don’t have to be strong every single day. Keep taking things one day at a time, and remember that even the smallest steps forward are still progress. 

There is always hope, even when the road ahead feels uncertain.

The moment Yunxi was diagnosed, our peaceful, ordinary life came to an abrupt pause. Countless sleepless nights followed. This unexpected illness weighed heavily upon us, filling our hearts with panic, helplessness and sorrow. I will never forget the day of her surgery. Standing outside the operating theatre, I lost count of the silent tears I shed. Watching our child endure the hardship of repeated chemotherapy, radiotherapy and medical check-ups, we as parents, had to hide our grief and put on a brave face for her.

The journey of seeking treatment was long and full of setbacks. We constantly worried that her condition might take a turn for the worse. We shuttled back and forth between home and hospital while trying our best to balance her recovery, growth and studies. There were many moments of anxiety and confusion, times when we were physically and mentally exhausted and felt that we could barely carry on. Yet our child’s courage kept us going. Even while suffering from illness, she remained sensible and cheerful. She cooperated fully with every treatment and never lost her love for life.

During these difficult days, we received precious kindness and comfort through hospital play services, psychosocial support, casework and counselling provided by CCF and its social workers. The support helped us cope with the challenges we were facing, while the wide variety of group activities gave us opportunities to experience moment  of joy together. We took many precious photos, capturing and preserving those rare and meaningful moments. 

Illness took away many carefree days from Yunxi’s childhood, but it could not take away the hope in our hearts. After everything we have been through, we have slowly learned to accept the challenges we cannot change and to appreciate each day we have together.

Yunxi continued to study with the support of online PALS as she was determined to return to the same class after treatment ended. She returned to school since Sep 25, with the support of CSWT and TP worker. Today, Yunxi is 12 years old and working hard on her Primary 6 schoolwork. After completing her treatment and recovery, reading has become her greatest hobby. She especially enjoys reading inspirational books in English, often getting lost in the stories and drawing strength and inspiration from them.

She also practises the yangqin and enjoys music therapy, including sound baths. But above all, reading remains what she loves most. She is now working hard towards the PSLE, hoping to enter her preferred secondary school and continue discovering the world through books.Through our journey, we have also learned to cherish the simple, ordinary moments that we once took for granted. A happy day, a family meal, or simply seeing Yunxi healthy and enjoying the things she loves now means so much more to us.

The journey has not been easy, but it has made our family stronger. Moving forward, we will continue to support one another, face each challenge together, and keep hope in our hearts.