TO ERADICATE BREAST CANCER AS A LIFE - THREATENING DISEASE
I never thought I would get breast cancer. It was a
difficult period for me but with the help of my family,
my support group at Breast Cancer Foundation, and my doctors,
I have finally come to terms with my cancer and learnt to face it. More..
- Breast Cancer Survivor
BCF believes that members play an active role in education and raising awareness of breast cancer. Both men and women are encouraged to become members.
A Survivor’s Story
Hedy Yap, 67
An illness need not mean impending doom. It is a major setback that could well become an important turning point in one’s life. When I left work, I resolved to become a volunteer at the Breast Cancer Foundation.
It has been nine years since I began volunteering with the Foundation. How time flies. There, I met many like-minded people who were, by and large, in the same boat as me, people who have survived the battle against breast cancer. Not only did we encourage and support each other but we also shared knowledge of the disease. Our personal experiences helped to inspire others who were similarly stricken, to get through the difficult periods of treatment, and to bravely stand up and face life.
In the time that I have been with the Foundation, I have also witnessed its development and taken part in many of its activities. Among the activities and aspects of the Foundation that have left a deep impression on me are:
The Library
We were aware that knowledge is strength and felt that we should brook no delay with the reorganising of the library. Under the leadership of Sister Xiuyun, we added new books, categorised all titles and computerised the system. We became deeply involved and worked tirelessly. Finally, we completed our task. Even if the present-day library cannot be compared to libraries of larger scale, it carries numerous references on breast cancer. I hope members will not hesitate to make full use of its selection and in so doing, benefit from it.
Chinese Guidance Classes:
The Foundation has organised several guidance and coaching classes but these were conducted in English. In 2002, we organised classes in Chinese over three Saturdays, with about 25 people attending. Several among these participants are still the Foundation's volunteer coaches today.
Breast Cancer and Life Forum:
On 23 August, 2003, the Foundation organised a Chinese-language forum at the main auditorium of the HDB Hub in Toa Payoh. We invited several well-known local oncologists to share their knowledge on breast cancer with attendees, who in turn vied with each other eagerly to take part in the discussion. That was a successful forum and an unforgettable occasion.
Chinese Support Group:
Initially, the Chinese Support Group was like an under-nourished, unstable seedling but I must thank my colleagues, especially Sister Xiuyun, who spared no efforts in boosting the growth of this seedling. However, this seedling still requires careful nurturing and tending, or it might gradually wither, even perish.
The activities of BCF depend greatly on the continuing efforts of its volunteers. Together, they can move its mission forward. With the completion of the expansion plans of the Foundation, more space will now be available for activities. I would therefore like to take this opportunity to wish the Foundation all the best in its efforts to make further progress on its mission. May its reputation spread far and wide, and may society at large benefit from its efforts to help people who are suffering from breast cancer.