Triumphing in face of cancer

Keep your chin up: Norie (left) presenting a symbolic gift to Chong while Lee and Rose Suria (third from left) look on. On the extreme right are Low and National Cancer Society of Malaysia (NSCM) Melaka chapter’s head manager Banu M.

MELAKA: Serene Lee Shiying is a brave teenager battling bone cancer.

She faced the gruelling side effects of chemotherapy head-on with unwavering determination, managing to achieve an impressive feat of scoring 10As in the SPM exam, even after a year of missed lessons.

In 2022, when Lee was in Form Four, she received a diagnosis of bone cancer.

She was fortunate to have supportive friends and teachers by her side, who contributed in small ways to ensure she fought a valiant battle.

“I had to go through chemotherapy sessions, and it was a really hard time, especially when you are preparing for an important examination and want to be a high achiever.

“Doctors never revealed the stage of my cancer, and I guess they didn’t want to dishearten me and told me to focus on my studies,” said the 18-year-old who underwent treatment at Hospital Kuala Lumpur.

It was a challenging period, as she had to depend on helpful classmates to share notes and materials to cope with the lessons she missed the whole year.

“My classmates were exceedingly encouraging,” she said.

Lee brought pride to SMJK Notre Dame Convent in Gajah Berang when she obtained 10As in SPM 2023.

On Tuesday, she shared her stories of resilience with the chairman of the school’s board of governors, Chong Chew Yoong, and her English teacher, Rose Suria Mohd Salleh, both cancer survivors.

The visit was arranged by the National Cancer Society of Malaysia (NSCM) Melaka chapter and officials from the Asia Cancer Forum (ACF) of Setagaya-Ku, Tokyo, led by representative director Norie Kawahara.

Melaka deputy executive councillor and Kota Laksamana representative Low Chee Leong organised the visit to create awareness about the HPV vaccine and cancer among the students at the all-girls school.

Lee said her mother was her pillar of strength, accompanying her to all treatment sessions and always encouraging her to be strong.

“She is a single mother and had to take care of my elder sister and me,” she added.

Chong, who has been a teacher for 34 years, said Lee’s journey battling cancer was very similar to her own, and she fully empathises with the teenager and her circumstances.

The 63-year-old was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2015. She now suffers from Parkinson’s disease.

Mother-of-three Rose Suria expressed her sadness over the cancer diagnoses of many of her students. She said she constantly encourages them not to give up and shows solidarity in their battles.

Diagnosed with fourth-stage liver cancer at 21 while posted in Kampung Sedili, Johor, Rose Suria initially struggled to accept her fate but overcame the illness through sheer willpower and belief.

“I was back to my normal self and even served at a missionary school in Sibu, Sarawak, for a decade,” she said.

The 52-year-old said her cancer relapsed after many years, but she was able to control the illness by following a strict diet and avoiding sugar.

The “Maaf Zahir Batin Hari-Hari” campaign (#MZB365), which launched on April 6, promotes and encourages heartwarming tales like these.

The campaign stands strong with support from major media companies and civil society organisations.