When 13-year-old Mira Lim’s leukaemia returned in early 2025, her older brother Austin Lim didn’t hesitate.
The 15-year-old Singaporean teen immediately volunteered to donate his bone marrow to save his sister’s life.
Austin Lim Steps Up for Cancer-Stricken Sister’s Recovery
Mira first received her cancer diagnosis in January 2024. The leukaemia went into remission after months of treatment.
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The family celebrated this positive milestone.
However, the cancer made an unwelcome return in early 2025. The family was blindsided by this devastating news.
Doctors recommended a bone marrow transplant as Mira’s best chance for recovery. The more aggressive treatment was necessary given the relapse.
The entire Lim family stepped forward for donor testing. Only two family members proved compatible: Austin and his younger brother, Dathan.
“Then let’s do it,” Austin told his stunned parents upon hearing the test results.
“It was like he understood that this was his to carry,” Austin’s father recalled his son’s decision to undergo the procedure.
Successful Bone Marrow Transplant Surgery on 28 April 2025
The siblings underwent the bone marrow transplant procedure on 28 Apr 2025. The surgery was carried out successfully without complications.
“I was nervous at first,” Austin admitted about going into the transplant surgery. “But I knew it was the right thing to do. It’ll all be over soon, just don’t give up.”
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Austin, who loves basketball, was benched for weeks following the surgery to allow proper healing. He has since returned to his feet and resumed normal activities.
Mira’s condition has shown positive signs of improvement after the transplant. Her blood counts have risen steadily. Her pain has eased significantly. She has started eating again.
The Children’s Cancer Foundation provided crucial support to the Lim family throughout their ordeal. The organisation helped the family understand leukaemia and immediately calmed their panic after the initial diagnosis.
“Their regular check-ins, WhatsApp chats, cards, gifts, and treatment certificates gave Qinqi encouragement during her darkest moments,” Austin’s father said.
The foundation also assisted Mira in returning to school, making sure her education continued during treatment.
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Hair for Hope Campaign Connects Family to Cause
Austin’s father has participated in the Hair for Hope event for over a decade. The elder Lim first discovered the event during a family outing at VivoCity in 2013.
He signed up to shave his head that very day after learning about young children’s painful chemotherapy journeys. The experience moved him deeply and he wanted to show support in a meaningful way.
Lim later involved his two sons in Hair for Hope activities.
He never imagined that one day, the children they stood in solidarity with would include his own daughter.
“Hair for Hope isn’t just an event for us. It’s a symbol of compassion. Of standing together,” Lim said.
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This year’s Hair for Hope campaign has launched with ambitious goals. The event aims to unite 6,000 people to shave their heads and raise S$6 million for affected families and children. The fundraising coincides with Singapore’s 60th anniversary celebrations.
The Hair for Hope 2025 main event will take place at VivoCity on 26 Jul from 11am to 7pm and 27 Jul from 11am to 6pm.
Lim offered encouragement to families caring for a loved one with cancer: “You are not alone. Take it one day at a time. Hope is always there – even on the hardest days.”
Austin’s father noticed how this experience made his sons mature overnight. “They pack their own school bags, set their own alarms, and actively help their sister. I feel incredibly proud.”
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