From Donor to Grateful Beneficiary: This Nurse Came Full Circle with SCS
Give generously, for life’s tides can turn swiftly. You never know when you will be in the shoes of those whom you once helped.
These poignant words could well apply to Jeannie Wang, a former nurse whose journey with the Singapore Cancer Society (SCS) came full circle. Jeannie, driven by her compassion for patients battling cancer, had previously donated to SCS. She chose SCS as the social service agency of her choice due to the “authentic, warm and hopeful” feel of the organisation.
Yet, life has a way of turning the tables. In 2019, what appeared to be a bad bout of sinusitis ended up as a stage 3 nasopharyngeal cancer diagnosis. Jeannie remarked: “Never did I ever think that I would be on the receiving end, and be supported by the Society.”
She had to undergo weeks of radiation and chemotherapy which left her throat dry, unable to speak or swallow well. Not even her experience as a hospital nurse had prepared her for this. “You see things differently when you are on the receiving end. I became a patient going through treatment. Reality is very much different, no matter how much you think you are ready for it.”
Setback After Setback
While her cancer was successfully contained, it only marked the beginning of more problems. Just when her treatment ended, Jeannie found herself without a job. “It was very hard to manage at that point. I had to look after myself and needed to recuperate,” she said.
Her body also wasn’t the same as before. Her muscles had weakened after treatment and there were times when she would fall while walking down the road.
The Turning Point
It was during this low point that Jeannie turned to SCS, the very organisation she had supported previously. This marked a new chapter in her relationship with SCS, one in which she found the confidence to rebuild her life after cancer.
Through a referral from her oncologist, Jeannie discovered the SCS Cancer Rehabilitation Centre where she underwent multiple rehabilitative services. This included Physiotherapy, Occupational Therapy, Dietetics and exercise programmes. Slowly, she regained her strength and learned how to manage the side effects of her cancer treatment.
To help Jeannie with her financial difficulties, an SCS social worker facilitated her application with SCS Financial Assistance. This gave her much-needed peace of mind.
From Donor to Beneficiary to Advocate
As Jeannie recounts her journey as a donor turned beneficiary, one thing is clear: She was and remains a staunch supporter of SCS. If anything, going through her cancer ordeal made her cherish how much organisations like SCS play a vital role in bridging gaps in cancer care.
“The team ensured that seamless care was rendered to me while I continued my rehabilitation,” she shared.“I don’t think I would have gotten the strength to survive if not for SCS.”