Stories

An accidental acquaintance led to a meaningful friendship.

In 2015, SCS established Singapore's first community-based cancer rehabilitation centre to provide holistic support and rehabilitation programmes customised to the specific needs of cancer survivors.

“I just love this place!  It is so warm and welcoming, so different from the usual rehabilitation centre.” gushed Mdm Tuminah. This place is the Singapore Cancer Society (SCS) Cancer Rehabilitation Centre, located at Jurong East.

53 years old Hawa Bebe bte Hydrose is a breast cancer survivor. The single mother of 2 found out that she had stage 2 breast cancer in 2015. With thrombocytopenia, a condition where blood platelets are abnormally low, Mdm Hawa Bebe refused to undergo chemotherapy as it could further lower platelet production and may lead to more side effects.

55-year-old Mr Sim Teong Choon, had been smoking for 39 years before he quit at the age of 52. He used to smoke up to 2 packets a day. At the age of 52, he was diagnosed with throat cancer.

SCS support group member and lung cancer survivor, Lynda Lim Kwee Hua, took part in this year’s Singtel – Singapore Cancer Society Race Against Cancer. The 58-year-old had to go undergo chemotherapy and surgery last year. With half a lung, she completed the 5km route while taking medications in between her run.

The Great Gobi Desert, which dominates over much of Southern Mongolia, is one of the earth's most brutal deserts with extreme temperatures fluctuating between negative 40 degree Celsius in the dead of winter to a sizzling 50 degree Celsius in summer. These grievous conditions are hardly what one would have in mind for an ideal vacation, but for Mr Ellil Mathiyan, a double cancer survivor, it is one he is looking forward to. 

In 2015, SCS Bishana Support Group member Ms Connie Goh was diagnosed with Stage 1B cervical cancer at the age of 41. She displayed no symptoms prior to the diagnosis and only discovered the cancer by chance after she decided to go for a health check-up due to work stress.