“Our fingerprints don’t fade from the lives we’ve touched.”
Ms Marianne Lam, a Children’s Cancer Foundation (CCF) caregiver, continues to carry on her son’s wishes that he is unable to fulfil today—to help raise funds for other children with cancer.
Joel was 22 years old when he passed away from Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia, a cancer of the lymphoid line of blood cells. He had been undergoing treatment for 15 years, and while he knew that his condition was not going to improve, it did not stop him from treating others with the utmost kindness.
Trying to live every day to the fullest is tough when battling with cancer. The emotional and physical toll it takes on your body can wear down even those with the brightest smiles.
Despite facing an uphill battle, his optimistic attitude “carried him above every difficult and painful point of the journey”, according to Joel’s family.
Joel was diagnosed with leukemia at the age of seven. His grit and determination saw him through his PSLE and into Anglo-Chinese School (Barker). The acts of care and concern by his classmates have touched Joel, who was extremely appreciative of their gestures.
As reported by the Straits Times, Joel’s schoolmates had organised a fundraiser called “Turn Things Around For Joel” and the school principal, Mr Peter Tan, made heartfelt requests to parents of students in order to help cover Joel’s medical fees.
Joel’s mother has expressed that she hopes he will “[p]ay back what [he has] received, for a little kindness goes a long way.”
The Beginning of “A Sunset That Makes A Difference!”
Ultimately, his love for drawing and compassionate nature was what allowed him to touch on the idea of organising a fundraiser in support of CCF, which surprised his mother. In a media release, Ms Lam mentioned that Joel was “always very low-key and minded his own”.
The fundraiser is aptly named “A Sunset That Makes A Difference!” after one of Joel’s artworks. The art piece was a memory of his first and last sunset in Seattle, which Ms Lam chose to print onto a tote bag.
His family said that “[h]e was so overjoyed… It was a liberating moment for him – to realize he can help raise funds for other children with cancer.”
Unfortunately, Joel’s worsening condition left him unable to fully complete his goal.
Though Joel is no longer with us, Ms Lam and her family continue to carry out his final wish, with the support of CCF’s social worker. The online fundraising campaign is currently ongoing and will end on 29 February 2021.
The donations raised will allow CCF to continue providing free programmes and services to their beneficiaries and families. 100% of the gross donations will be donated to CCF.
If you would like to make a donation to “A Sunset That Makes A Difference!” campaign, please click here.
Featured Image: Children’s Cancer Foundation (CCF)
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