DONATION APPEAL FOR FRIEND STRICKEN WITH CANCER *
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Hi to all,
My ex-RJC classmate, Joan Chan Shu Fang, an ex-RGS (Class 406 '02), and RJC (Class 2S03N '04) student is now suffering from a cancer relapse stage 4 which is just one stage away from the terminal stage. Her story was published on the Sunday Times on 25th Dec 2005.

In RGS, she was a Peer Support Leader and the 1st Seant in the NCC. In RJC, she was the captain of the school softball team (2004). We are at the prime of our lives. But Joan is silently enduring the pains of cancer at home as we experience an exciting varsity life, and complain about unending workloads. She is denied the chance of a bright future, and really, there is nothing more we want than to see her healthy and to be able to walk alongside us again. I sincerely appeal to all Rafflesians and anyone who would like to reach out to help our dearest fellow Singaporean to make your kind contrbutions. Every little way helps. Her only hope now is the new drug, Iressa. It has never been tried before. If she does not take the drug, or if the drug fails, she has less than a year to live. The drug alone costs $6000 a month. Each pill costs $200 and she has to take 2 pills per day. Currently, she has 20% chance of survival. Let us do our part to help her.

Here is an excerpt from her most recent blog entry on 22nd March 06,

" Apparently there is a big patch of cancer cells on the left side and the back of my neck. it is impairing the blood flow from my face to the rest of the body that's why my face is swollen. the nerves controlling my left hand starts from the neck too that's why my left hand trembles and the finger tips are numb. the cancer has eaten into the small bone near the left ear and it's blocking the tube that connects the ear to the neck. it is causing fluid to build up behind my ear drum. this has resulted in tinitus, which is this buzzing sound in my ear, and mild hearing loss in the left ear as well. the cancer has also affected my spinal cord, causing one section to be loose which is why i always have to hold my head as my spine can't support my head anymore. to fix this problem, i have to wait till the cancer's gone then go for surgery again to fix it. i cannot be operated on as the operation would be too dangerous and radiotherapy is out of the option as i just went through one cycle of it. therefore, my options are limited and i just want to say my dear friends, i am prepared for the worst. but i want to thank all of you for your love and care. i will not give up till the very end and i hope i will be remembered in your hearts as a fighter always."

There was a fund raising project for Joan at this yr's ORA (Old Rafflesians' Association) funfair. The air rifle pple had sold 300+ T-shirts for $10 each. Also, part of the money raised from the ORA donation cards will be channelled to the fund. The aim was to raise $36000, which will pay for 6 mths of her treatment. Right now, I am liaising with ORA as to how our donations could be proceeded to the fund.

Please send me an email or drop me a msg on msn at * skyblue_cc@hotmail.com
*preferably BEFORE THE END OF THE EASTER BREAK to let me know if you would like to make a donation.

Let us make a difference. Kindness knows no boundaries. Your help will be very much appreciated. Thanks a million!!

With warmest regards,
Christine